This is at an NGO called Beauty for Ashes.  They provide jobs for at risk women.  They make jewelry, scarfs, purses, hair clips, and other hand crafts.  It was fun to walk through and watch beautiful things being made with a purpose. 

This is the temple down the street.  There was a 24 hours a day Hindu worship session that lasted 7 days over the loud speaker and the cymbals and chanting were still going when we left even though they turned the loud speaker off.

The common produce market... also known as a "farmer's market."  We enjoyed buying fresh veggies here.  (Although we didn't know about it until just a few days before we left.  However, we have several friends that buy their produce here on a weekly basis.

We were finally brave enough to ride in a "tempo" (the second most common form of transportation in Nepal... after walking of course).  We were warned that it might be crowded and that if the driver went over a bump that we needed to watch our heads.  However, we found that there was plenty of room (even with a dozen people in this little three-wheeled car), and our driver must have known what he was doing because we didn't hit a single major bump.  The ride was quite pleasant and much cheaper than a taxi.  Should have tried it sooner.  

We found out the hard way that some things taste better if you don't see them before they are cooked and ready to eat.  This is our local butcher where our didi (or Nepali sister who cooked for us) got the chicken that we ate twice a week.  We had the pleasure of watching the butcher cut off the claws, before including the feet.  In the weeks before this lovely experience Sophronia always thought that we were being served the neck...  but now we are not so sure.

We went to the local zoo and found some animals that we are not use to seeing.  Though the standards are not quite the same as an american zoo, it was still enjoyable.  Above are two of our favorite animals... the Hippo and Peacock.    

At the zoo Amanda road one of the carnival rides.  It was a little scary because we weren't quite sure if it had passed the last safety inspection in the US before being recycled in Nepal.  However, she survived to tell the tale of the wild merry-go-round. 

One of the above is not like the other... Find six differences...

1. color of pic.  2. Window display is different.  3. Pink card in background.  4. Angle of purse strap is different.  5. Tear on cheek.  6. Amanda has a nose ring 

Yes.... She really did it!  Amanda got her nose pierced three days before leaving for the states.  Not her smartest move... but hey, she would have chickened out in the states and it is a good memento of our time in Nepal.  

This is the local supply "truck".  We have seen everything from feed sacks to building supplies carted around on these giant trikes.  It is fascinating to see how people work and live half-way across the world. 

Finally!! Good pictures of the towering Himalayan Mountains!  The second picture shows the staggering height from ground to mountain peak.  We finally got these shots on our flight out of Nepal. 

This is the lobby of our hotel in India.  Our trip has come to a close and we are on our final leg.  What an adventure this has been!!

In the Delhi airport we had a 15 hour lay-over so we decided to pamper our ourselves with an Indian manicure/pedicure.  It was such a treat for our feet after walking around on the dusty/muddy roads of Nepal.  

The final product of our pampering.

This has been quite the adventure!!!  Thanks for following us as we have traveled to the ends of the earth.  We have so enjoyed our stay in Nepal.  We feel that the friends we have made along the way have become a second family and our surrounding a second home.  It is a bitter-sweet thing to leave as we will miss the people and country, but we are looking forward to seeing our friends and family in America.  This has truly been the experience of a life-time!  And a special joy to share as mother and daughter!   

SEE YA'LL SOON!!!

~Amanda and Sophronia

These are old-time Nepali windows... probably over 100 years.  This is how all of the homes used to be made.  In the old days there were no screens or glass in them but instead shutters that could be closed from the inside.  Though these windows are beautiful we are thankful that our windows today have screens and glass on them to keep out all of the bugs.  

This is called a "stupa"  It is a place of worship for Buddhists.  It is the largest stupa in the world.  It is located in the city of Boudha.  Around the stupa there are also many shops. We went to the Boudha to visit out language teacher and have lunch in her home.  She also took us to visit the stupa (which is apparently one of the most famous places in the Kathmandu region.) 

From Left to right...... Sophronia, Amanda, our language teacher Meenu, one of our American friends Katie, and our new Nepali friend Sarita.  It was a fun packed day spent with friends in Boudha.  

This is the entrance to the stupa.  Beautiful hand crafted archway, and like so many things in Nepal, full of color.

This is one of the many shops surrounding the stupa.  There were shops with hand crafted beads, jewelry, wood work, and other things like tea, paintings, and food.

According to our language teacher all of the tourists take their picture with the pigeons...  However, Amanda is terrified of birds because they have a tendency to dive-bomb her.  So getting this picture was a challenge.  In fact just before it was taken one of the birds did swoop dangerously close to our heads.   

One of the many prayer wheels that line the walls of the stupa.  It is believed that the bigger the wheel the greater prayer.  The people spin the wheels with their hands as they walk by.

Our first glimpse of the Himalayan Mountains.  This was taken from the roof of our apartment early one morning.  We were excited to finally see real mountains... although the Nepali foot hills are higher than most mountains in the U.S.  For perspective Kathmandu is nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, and the mountains are over 20,000 feet above see level.  We were also informed that Mt. Everest cannot be seen from the Kathmandu valley.  So our only hope of seeing it are in pictures or perhaps from the air plane when we fly home. 

A typical street-side shop in the area.... the first is where we are having our sari's made.  The dress shop is approximately 6' x 8' and there are three sewing machines and a serger.  It is amazing how much is accomplished in such a small space.  The second picture shows the height difference in the steps leading up to the store front.  People really have to want to go here for they have to practically crawl up the first step, because it is the same height as the motorcycle in front.  Due to the road construction this is the way that most of the store fronts down town look.  It looks like the construction is almost finished here but the sidewalk will come later (hopefully).  This is a nicer store than most, with doors a glass, also a lot bigger.  The dress shop is more typical.  

A beautiful rainbow after a Nepali rainstorm.  It rains nearly every day during monsoon season.  Though it does not rain all day, it does rain part of almost everyday.  We are thankful for the rain because it cools off the city.  

It is wedding season here in Nepal.  And same as in the U.S. it is traditional for the wedding car to be decorated.  This particular wedding car was followed by a marching band and several wedding attendants.  

We have been learning so much about the language, culture, and people of Nepal.  It has truly been an experience of a life-time.  We are looking forward to more learning and more experiences as we continue our journey half way across the world.

Till next time,

~Amanda and Sophronia

  

Traffic and potholes in the Tarai on the way to the village of Sisautiya (pronounced sis-oat-ee-a).  The roads are like nothing we have ever seen.  When the rains grow heavy even the jeep can not travel on them.

During the heavy rains the ox cart is the only vehicle that can travel through the muddy roads.  We were privileged to take a short ride in one.  It was very interesting to experience how the people of the Tarai travel the majority of the time.  It was better then a carnival ride (though not as safe!)  

Amanda, chatting with the children of Sisautiya and attempting to learn their names.  The took turns trying to touch our hands or arms without us noticing.  Later after they had warmed up to us, they serenaded us from the yard.  What a joy these little ones were 

When the goats caused a traffic jam, Amanda asked the shepherd girl if she could hold one of the happy animals.  However, the goat was much happier running around than being held captive in her arms.  

Sophronia eating mango and beaten rice in Sisautiya.  This food is a staple in the Tarai.  It is so delicious!!!

Amanda eating buffalo yogurt.  In Nepal your spoon is your hand... and even buff yogurt is eaten with your fingers.  (And yes the host is really sitting on the table!)    

In the village of Malungwa (pronounced like it is spelled)  the women thought that we needed some decorations.  Above are our hands decorated with henna.  Amanda's first and Sophronia's second.

They also painted our feet red.  Apparently this is the beautiful thing to do.  Our toe nails and finger nails were also painted red.

This is the shop and shop keeper where the women took us to get the supplies to decorate us with.  We also got bracelets, necklaces, bindis (the jewels that go between your eyes) and Nepali makeup.  

The final product of the decorating!  From the lipstick to the bindi.... and the red line signifies that Amanda is married... it is the wedding ring of Nepal.  By the end of the decorating we felt a bit like Christmas trees.  Such a fun experience!!!

The beautiful sunset from a rooftop in Malungwa.  A quiet evening visiting with our new found village friends.

The temple to the god Raum in Janakpur (pronounce as spelled).  The story goes that the son of the king in India, Raum, loved a Nepali Princess and this temple was built to honor their love.  To this day there are many couples who still get married at this sight.  

Search hard and you will find the peak of a Himalayan mountain.  (Here is a clue it is on the horizon and in the center.)  This is as much of the mountains that we have seen.  Still waiting to catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest.

We enjoyed our time in the Tarai... Meeting new people and experiencing the warm hospitality of the native people.  We survived the hot weather, bumpy roads, lizards, and barley the mosquitoes.  It made us realize how much we appreciate our little apartment here in Kathmandu.  Good to be back in our Nepali home!

Till next time,

~Amanda and Sophronia  

(June 10th)  UP... UP... AND ON OUR WAY!!!!!  The mountains of Washington (USA) above the clouds.  Looking forward to seeing Mt. Everest.  

The plush digs of India.... the digs we almost never saw. 

In the shop, being fitted for our native Nepali dresses called a "shalwar-khurta."  Just look at all the bolts of cloth behind us!!  This was only the small wall... there was another big will on the other side of the store.  So many beautiful colors, it was so difficult to choose.

A distant view of  a Hindu goddess.  It is at least 10 stories tall.  For a point of reference, the building to the right is three stories.  

A view of the mountainous foot hills.  Taken from the hilltop village of Dhulikhel.  (Yes these are really only the foothills.  The real mountains are hidden behind the clouds.)

The "masterpiece" of Nepali planning and zoning.  It is a wonder the buildings stand upright.

DINNER!!!  When I (Amanda) ordered fried chicken breast with mashed potatoes I had no idea that it would literally come out looking like a nesting chicken.  So cute (and tasty)!!

One giant puddle in only a few minutes of rain.  If you look closely you can see the rain drops.  It rains like this, or sometimes even more, every day.

We are still waiting to see Mt. Everest, but are enjoying our time with friends.  On July 1st we will go to the Terri  (pronounced tear-I) villages, which are the flat lands.  Looking forward to meeting more new people and seeing more new sights.  We will be gone for a few days so look for more pics after the 4th.

~ Amanda and Sophronia