Good morning Kathmandu. I had a great sleep. It was very nice and peaceful. I was still adjusting to the time difference and did wake up several times during the night , nonetheless, it was a comfortable bed. We started the morning with chiya (tea) - very tasty Nepalese tea - brewed in a kettle on the stove. This silver kettle (which looks like a pot) makes a very loud *choo choo* noise when it is ready. For breakfast, we were served dal bhat, this time I didn't bother trying to eat with my hands. I also didn't want to make a fool out of myself. Both Mareika and I are replenished from a nice sleep and great breakfast.
I needed 3 copies of my passport photo and so I dropped in a photo place which took 5 minutes - photograph taken, printed and cut up. Fast service. The passport photos are required to fill out forms etc. We were taken to the office where we met the coordinators - Yubaraj and Saroj. We were given an identity cards that outlines that we are volunteers in Nepal. Apparently, you may use these cards at selected restaurants in order to receive discounts. While we were filling in our forms, a new volunteer with her backpackers bag walked in. Her name is Sarah and she is also from Germany.
We were given handouts that outlined the basic cultural information about Nepal. Saroj briefed us with very helpful tips. The Nepali system still operates under the influence and principles of the caste system. The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often terms as Jãt. Each caste is created from a different part of the body and Brahma is the Creator. There are four castes known as the Brahmin, Chhetri, Baise and Sudra. Certain things they have to be mindful of for example are, if you are a Brahmin family - you have to be careful in the kitchen. Brahmins will not eat food cooked by a lower caste as you run a risk of contaminating the whole kitchen by cooking or unauthorised touching or removing your shoes before you enter the kitchen and shoes are to be kept upright, as an upside down shoe is unlucky. This was rather confusing to absorb but we kind of got the drift of it. Another thing about Nepal is Jhuto - a term used to describe something that is impure or has been contaminated. If something touches your mouth, it is instantly jhuto and can no longer be consumed by others. After your hand has touched your mouth when eating, your hand and food are now contaminated. You must use your left hand to move around plates and pass things. After all the cultural talk, we started our language lesson. Yubaraj taught us very basic Nepali words that will be helpful for the time we are in Nepal. Some of the words we learnt were :-
Namaste - Hello/Bye (hands are placed together in a praying form)
Dhanyabad - Thank you
Pheri Bhatuala - See you again
Swagatam - Welcome
Swagatchha - You're welcome
****Here are my favourites -
Lala - Ok
Baf re baf - Wow
Ali Ali - Little bit
Jarm Jarm - Let's go
Chup (choop) - Keep quiet
They have the cutest words which makes it easier for us to use, especially with the kids. Saroj took the second half of the lesson and talked us through verbs, pronouns, plurals, question words, colours, emotions and the building of simple sentences - Mero naam Sandi ho means my name is Sandi. Yubaraj said I was clever because I did really well. But, on the other hand I had practiced a few words before arriving in Nepal so I had a little advantage. I find the Nepali language very interesting and I am really looking forward to picking up more of the language within the next month. They served us milk tea during our mini break, Nepalese tea is delicious.
Their office is located in the popular tourist district - Thamel. It's concentration of narrow streets are lined with small shops selling everything from food and provisions to clothes, trekking gear, cakes, pastries, DVDs, handicrafts, travel agents and budget hotels. There were also plenty of restaurants. It was lunch time so we randomly stumbled across a local restaurant called MoMo Star. I had no idea what to order and had no clue what momo's were, but they were highly recommended by the girls so I tried it. I ordered the spicy momo's. When the meals came out, I realised what momos were; they are my favourite - also known as dumplings. I had steamed momo's served with a tomato based spicy sauce cooked with lots of vegetables. This was by far one of the best momo's I've had so far - even comparing it to Din Tai Fung. Sorry Din Tai Fung lovers, but the sauce that I had was just scrumptious. Words can't even express the flavours, the texture - just everything. You must try it for yourself. Best part of it all, my lunch costed me $1.80. BARGAIN.
After lunch, we met the guys back at the office. It was the end of our cultural and language lesson. Yubaraj was now our tour guide and he took us to what is known as the 'monkey temple' - Swayambhunath is the official name. I also sited many monkeys hanging around, probably waiting to snatch your bag or food - those little buggers are very unpredictable. The main stupa shaped temple comprises a white dome with the eyes of Buddha on top looking out to each compass point at the base of a golden 13 storey pointed tower. It's reputed to be over 2000 years old and is now surrounded by many small stone stupas (memories to the dead) and a mass of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. The site has two access points; a long stairway (365 steps) leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car around around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance. We were driven by Ramesh, so we didn't have to climb the 365 steps. Swayambhunath occupies a central position and is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. We went into the temple and saw monks chanting and playing the instruments in sync with their chants. It was very interesting and they all looked very serious.
The views from the top were stunning, with the ever growing urbanisation of the city evident by new buildings in every direction. Kathmandu has also been described variously as "Lands of Gods" and as "land of the largest congregations of magnificent historical monument and shrines ever built". There are a number of world heritage sites that I must visit before I leave Nepal. All this history in this buzzing city really intrigues me.
We got back to the 'happy home' and Ramesh took us for a walk through the neighbourhood. I still can't believe how big the houses are in Kathmandu. It seems like such a poor country but yet, they can afford to build such 3-4 storey houses, all are very colourful as well. While we were walking, we passed by a baby goat that was tied up. Ramesh asked us if we knew what they did with the goats here, we said no - he abruptly told us that they eat it. Poor goat. We stopped by a supermarket and stocked up on some necessities. When we got back, we sat talking and I attempted to blog when I finally got the internet working. There was a period of time when there was a power cut, so we sat in the dark in the living room, twiddling our thumbs.
Dinner was served - dal that. The three of us enjoyed dinner very much. I'm really starting to like Nepali food. The spices that they use are really interesting, I can't make out what spices they are but I can say that I really like the potatoes and how they are cooked. After dinner, the girls sat and watched TV with Ramesh and I worked on my blog. It's my last night in Kathmandu, tomorrow I am making my way to Pokhara. They want to get me to Pokhara as soon as possible before the strike starts - if this happens, there will be no buses operating. It's been a lovely day and I'm glad I got to do some touristy things and learning the Nepali language was something I really enjoyed. They gave us exercise books to write down everything. By the way, I even learnt how to write in Nepali. Saroj taught me how to write 'my name is Sandi' in Nepali - that was cool. I did really well. I need more practice so that I can memorise how to write my name, at least.
Shuva Ratri (good night) world .
XOXO
No comments:
Post a Comment