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