Kathmandu….

Shouting secretly in my mind as loudly as possible ….KATH…FREAKING….MAN…DU!!!!

As the anticipation was building, the airplane captain announces that we are declining and prepare for landing. Jason and I were eagerly staring out the plane window when all of a sudden a miraculous peak appears out above the clouds in the far distance.

Was it the great!!!!!

Jason proclaims it has to be while taking a double, triple and even a fourth look for confirmation and I believe he was just trying to confirm for himself that he was actually witnessing it with his own two eyes. The renowned mountain peak towering out of the cloudy skyline reaching for the heavens, the peak that has been praised since the dawn of time, the holy mecca for climbing junkies….EVEREST!!!! Like a lighthouse casting beams of light on a foggy night welcoming home weary sailors, Mt. Everest presented itself as an iconic symbol that we are now in Nepal. Never in my life did I think I would witness the rooftop of the world and be inspired by the highest mountain on Earth. What normally is a daydream throughout a normal busy day is now reality and today with my own eyes I am humbled before the sight as we fly pass. A rush of emotions are colliding…Excitement…Joy…and Appreciation.

–City Exploration–

Tucked away in Kathmandu are little gems of history that give foreigners and locals reprieve from the city’s hustle and bustle. We rode around the city like bobble heads on the dashboard of a bumpy car taking in all the sights of normal life of the Nepalese. Although this is the largest city in Nepal, I looked out the car windshield to only see a thick cloud of dust masking the buildings and swallowing people as they disappeared into its gloom. The van door flung open as we made it to our first site and we jumped out like we were bank robbers with our bandanas covering our faces making a mad dash to escape the dust bowl. Each site brought different thoughts, emotions and insights.

SITE 1: Swayambhunath Temple

Sitting on top of a hill within Kathmandu, Swayambhunath Temple (aka Monkey Temple) was a refreshing retreat from the dusty city streets. As we strolled along the pathway of the complex, the various sights charmed us as we seized every opportunity to immerse 

Swayambhunath Temple

ourselves into the environment. Flags suspended from various points throughout the complex created a magical environment as they flapped against the breeze and provided a colorful context to the cloudy sky. The enchantment didn’t stop with the flags, as we sat back and paused to let the fairytale environment grasp and consume us. Often people disregard simple elements due to being in a constant rush or neglecting to stop and just listen. It wasn’t long before we could hear and see young monks cheerfully laughing and running among stone pathways as they darted pass in a hasty rush, hearing the squeaking prayer wheels spinning as locals whirled the wheels sending their blessings and wishes to any spirits that were listening, or whiffing in the aroma of incense while locals exercised their religion. It is fascinating to let ourselves be overtaken by the simple elements of an environment for those are the aspects that will make this experience more concrete and memories last a lifetime. It won’t be about the conversation we had…I can’t even remember what we are were discussing honestly…but I can tell you the feelings, the sights, the sounds, the smell, and the cultures we observed.

SITE 2: Bodhnath Stupa

Bodhnath Stupa sight was equally as inspiring as Monkey temple. Small shops shielded us from the dusty and noisy road concealed this magnificent architecture. As we stroll around the brick pavers we were constantly darting our eyes to the left to window shop all the arts, crafts, and artifacts; and to the right to behold the white holy structure from every angle. Time itself seem to have leaped pass this particular spot which fashioned an energy that is special only to Bodhnath Stupa.

Part 2 Nepal – DEATH CONFRONTS US ALL