Wood

One of the first things I fell in love with in Nepal was the amazing wood carvings you see everywhere, especially the Newari window screens.


When I purchased my house 3 years ago, I decided I would wait to find the perfect piece of art to go in the entry. I didn't know what it would be or where I would find it, I just knew I would enjoy the search.

In Kathmandu I discovered "it", a Newari window screen. Luckily a friend I was traveling with knew of an amazing wood carving shop run by a father, mother and their two sons.

In September, after a couple of days of trying to find the exact shop in the maze that is Thamel, we found the shop she'd used in the past. They didn't have exactly what I was after, so they helped me draw up a sketch and I was able to pick it up on this trip. It is beautiful and I can't wait to see it in my house.

Here are the artists who did the work - as for the screen, I'll post a picture of it when it is in place at home. Until then it is staying bundled up for travel.

For no particular reason other than I'm loving this remake of "She Knows Where She Goes"

She Knows Where She Goes - Allison Moorer

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Ruins

On my last trip to Kathmandu I didn't get to see any of the monuments or sights because the locals were protesting a decision by the government, so we avoided those areas. This trip I was determined to take in at least a couple. Above are some photos from Durbur Square. The square was beautiful, but I didn't enjoy it - too many touts. They just wouldn't leave me alone long enough to enjoy the area.

After I returned to the hotel from the square another guest suggested I to to Patan, she promised it would be a bit more peaceful. I agreed and also developed a plan to beat the touts - I switched to Portuguese. I know what you are thinking, and no, Portuguese my skills didn't magically improve - but a couple of words were good enough to convince the touts to move on to some other victim. I enjoyed Patan and plan to use my Portuguese method the next time I'm surrounded by touts who won't leave me alone.


As I walked through the ruins of Patan, a line from an old Corrs song kept running through my head:

I've been spending my time
In the old town

When you grow up in the states it is hard to believe that things this old exist and are a part of daily life for millions.

Old Town - The Corrs -

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Dreamer

I was listening to a bit of Duffy today and a song came on that helps me define why I love to travel, this led to a realization that I haven't gotten around to posting pictures of my trip to Nepal a couple of weeks ago, so here is me playing catch up.

Although you think I cope
My head is filled of hope
of some place other than here
Although you think I smile
Inside and all the while
I'm wondering about my destiny

I'm thinking about all the things
I'd like to do in my life
I'm a dreamer, a distant dreamer
Dreaming far away from today.

I went back to my Asian home, The Courtyard in Kathmandu. Owned by my lovely friends Pujan and Michelle. Staying at the Courtyard is not like any hotel experience I've ever had before, from the second arrive I feel like a long lost friend. The hotel is always full of interesting people and it isn't a place where you politely nod and pass someone in the hallway or lobby. Here people come together for conversation and laughs. I learn so much just sitting around the hotel in the evenings. Not to mention the fact that the hotel and rooms are amazingly beautiful.



Here are a few photos taken around Thamel:


This is a street vendor located at Durbur Square one of the main tourist attractions in town. I love the mix of the blue cart with the marigolds in the background.

Marigold offerings at one of the shrines.

A woman selling produce on the street.

A street side booth selling wood carvings.

There are many roadside stores with the short doors where you actually step down to enter.

10.Distant Dreamer - Duffy

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Kathmandu

Mom has been after me all week to post some pictures from my trip to Kathmandu last weekend, and thanks to my decision to stay in the house today after the latest bombing in Delhi (we're all okay) today is a great time to catch up.


The trip was amazing! I fell in love with Kathmandu and cannot wait to go back, a weekend just wasn't enough time. Like Delhi, the city is full of color, sound and smells, but it has a much more relaxed vibe.


I found a great hotel, The Courtyard, and within a half a day I felt like I was staying with friends or family. The hotel is in the center of the tourist area, but thanks to a long driveway and a beautiful courtyard, you feel miles away from the hustle. The owners are a couple from Seattle, so we had some great conversations about the city we love. They gave great advice on where to find the best shopping and have a way of bringing their guest all together each evening for great conversation.


Each evening I found myself out to dinner with a different group of people staying at the hotel - one night we were out for a Nepali food and I looked around the table and realized we had a Canadian, 2 Australians, a Swede, an Irishman, a Nepali, 2 Americans and a Frenchman, our own mini-UN. The food was amazing and the company was perfect.


I went on the trip expecting to spend tons of time on my own, meditating and setting goals for the next five years. Instead I spent it surrounded by people and had a great time. It was a real lesson for me - sometimes I need to let go of control and just let things happen.


We didn't get to see any of the cultural sites on this trip - the local's were rioting around the cultural sites over some decisions made by the new government, so we decided to play it safe and stick to other areas of town - the shopping district which means I brought home some great finds and got to see these adorable little boys who found their own fun on the walk home from school.


With the city less than 90 minutes away from Delhi by air, I'm planning to return frequently. It was the perfect place for me to let go of the stress and worry of work and just relax and be. Donavon Frankenreiter's "Let It Go" was my theme song for the weekend:

Do you ever wake up and wonder how your world could change
'Cause feels so strange
Yeah you feel so strange
Do you ever feel like everything you're doing never gets done
Like you're on the run

Don't it feel so good to let it go
Forget about everything you know

Do you ever feel like all you do is try and try
But you never get by
I said you never get by
Do ever feel like what you're doing ain't what you want
It's just what you've been taught

It's gonna feel so good to let it go
Forget about everything you know
Grab a friend let's come togheter
Times like these should last forever

Laugh at me
And I'll laugh too
Cry At Me
And I'll cry with you
Just to help you through

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