Another packed day. Did a little shopping, picking up things we thought we might need for the trek. I always find the barter system difficult - never knowing if I am paying too much, but at the same time walking the fine line of giving these poor people a living. Hired a car again today and first visited a place called Bhaktapur. It used to be the capital of Nepal between the 12th and 15th century. It is now the cultural capital of Nepal and gives shelter ti almost 100 thousand peasants. Lots of very old temples and buildings in there. Very hot today, around 30 c.
We then went on to visit three different temples. The first one, (pashupatinath)had a river running through it and bodies were being burnt on funeral pyres (see pics below). Apparently after being burnt down they are swept into the river. The most disconcerting thing of all of that to me was seeing the ladies washing clothes just a little ways down from that, and children playing in the water. Apparently people scavenge in the water after the ashes are swept in for gold fillings etc.
Saw two more temples after that, each one unique in its own way. The last one we went to was overrun with monkeys. As I was taking a picture of one, Heidi was in behind me saying " Close enough Shelley! Ebola! Ebola!".
Resting a bit right now and then will head out for supper. Tomorrow will have to spend some time getting everything organized for the next day. Looking forward to the trek but nervous and just hoping we will do okay. Thanks for the kind comments everyone!
We then went on to visit three different temples. The first one, (pashupatinath)had a river running through it and bodies were being burnt on funeral pyres (see pics below). Apparently after being burnt down they are swept into the river. The most disconcerting thing of all of that to me was seeing the ladies washing clothes just a little ways down from that, and children playing in the water. Apparently people scavenge in the water after the ashes are swept in for gold fillings etc.
Saw two more temples after that, each one unique in its own way. The last one we went to was overrun with monkeys. As I was taking a picture of one, Heidi was in behind me saying " Close enough Shelley! Ebola! Ebola!".
Resting a bit right now and then will head out for supper. Tomorrow will have to spend some time getting everything organized for the next day. Looking forward to the trek but nervous and just hoping we will do okay. Thanks for the kind comments everyone!
I am glad you can't send the smell of the funeral pyres via internet. Sounds like a very interesting day.
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