“Varanass, Varanass” was the mantra of the bus conductor as he announced our imminent departure for Varanasi, India, holy city on the Ganges. It had a magical ring to it, enhanced by the patter of rain on the bus windows and roof, the water slowly drip-dripping from the leaky roof onto my left shoulder.
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Just shoot me
Goodbye, Kathmandu, hello India…. Here are a few final street shots I got before I began my 2-day and 20-hour bus journey. Ultimate destination: Varanasi, India. Bags and bags…. storefront vendor Just shoot me: two students pose in front of a shrine My favorite snack in Nepal: Masala Munch Rainy day in Thamel, Kathmandu Resting a weary leg Dishing it up: roadside rest stop / cafe halfway to to the Nepal-India border. I purposely avoided road and street food for fear of the Tourist’s Curse. Little did I know that a few days later, in Varanasi…. Well, let’s say the inevitable happened. Tweet This Post
Sacred places
Here’s a brief selection from the many sacred places and structures I encountered in Kathmandu. Hinduism and Buddhism coexist amicably here, and many sites combine aspects of both. Due to the many Tibetans resident in Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism also has a strong presence. Durbar Square windows Durbar Square, another perspective Swayambunath Stupa – my favorite site. It’s also earned the name of the Monkey Temple because of its, uh, residents. This is the oldest Buddhist temple in Kathmandu. Together again – which one looks more serene, monkey or deity? Swayambhunath gilded detail Stone sculpture, Hindu shrine Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in the Kathmandu valley Detail of Boudhanath – the all-seeing eyes Boudhanath pilgrims making a clockwise koraor circumambulation of the Buddhist stupa Patan Durbar Square – intricacy in stone Patan Durbar Square: Sitting around, taking it all in. Jayabageshwari Temple, Deopatan district Tweet This Post
photo of the day
Who, me? Sugar bowl thief, restaurant terrace at Swayambunath Stupa Tweet This Post
