I think the first few days of a new place always seem the longest, but the days have started to pick up speed here. In general we have been trying to see all the major sites around Kathmandu while preparing to go on a trek around the Anapurana's starting on Wed. I think the highlight so far has been meeting Dad's friends from 23 years ago. Ratna comes from a family who does this lost wax technique of making beautiful Buddhist statues. Ranta and his wife came to visit dad and mom when I was like 1 years old, so they were super excited to meet me. Strangely enough, Ratna has also been an SIT adviser for Tibetan studies program. Ratna has been really sweet and sort of acting as a tour guide for us. Last night we had a really nice fancy meal where Dad's friend Mohan who is blind and played the Sarod, which is like a mini Sitar. It was really wonderful. Then today we met yet another friend who paints thangkhas, really really beautiful ones. All these friends have been so welcoming, and I am amazed at how they recognize and remember so much about dad from over 20 years ago.
Yesterday we went to Bhaktapur, often known as a medevil town of the Valley. For those of you who have seen "Little Buddha," Bhaktapur is where Siddartha's kingdom was set, so it is the town used to portray Nepal around 500 B.C. For those that remember the scene where Siddartha was watching the potter, I went to that spot and got to try out some ancient pottery techniques. I wasn't really good at it though and my fingernails still have black clay stuck underneath them. I have actually seen many places/ images that I have studied or seen in movies, a strange but neat feeling to be in such places in person.
Nepal is really interesting after spending so much time in China and India. There is a term in India used a lot, "same same but different." Often used to describe things by shop keepers trying to explain small differences such as between pepsi and coke, but usually there were much more significant differences than that. In Nepal I can still read the signs because it is all in Devanagari, but I can't understand anything anymore. There are some of the same snacks but not the ones I usually eat. The mythology has many of the same characters but all of a sudden doesn't make sense. It is all strangely familiar and yet all new.
I feel like Keith says this every time he travels somewhere, but the women here are truly stunning, like everyone of them are beautiful. I think for this reason, among other reasons, I am really experiencing everyone telling me that I look Nepalese as a true compliment. It is really just amazing to me how many people have commented that I look Nepalese or just assume that I am Nepalese. From random shopkeepers, to my dad's friends, to literally people on the street as I get out of a car. There is a really strange welcoming thi creates. Dad seems to attribute to the fact that I was concieved here, and seemed intent on telling everyone we met this little fact until I asked him to stop.
So while sightseeing, we have also been planning our trek. We are planning to have a pretty easy trek. We are flying to the top and then slowly making our way down for 8 days and then spending a recuperation day at Pokhara. I'm sure I'll have the names down by the time I get back, but right now all the names are so unfamiliar and blend together.
I am realizing there is a huge difference between traveling with a group of peers, by myself, and with a parent. I have gotten so used to Asia and traveling alone that it has been a strange transition to travel with dad and see him go through his adjustment to Asia. For example, dad was really proud the other day for bargaining with a taxi walla, and asked me if I liked the way he handled it. I told him if I hadn't argued with rickshaw walla everyday for the last 4 months, I would probably be impressed, but it just seemed like something I do everyday now. It kinda felt like someone turning to me and saying, "you like how I crossed the street?" Just funny to see our different states.
So one last day to get all our stuff together and see some sights. Next update from the other side of the trek!
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