Last week, Shehrish and I were in Thamel at night having dinner and listening to music. I had mentioned to her earlier that the streets felt a bit shadier than normal, as less people were out and a lot of shops were closed early. While waiting to check out at the super market, we saw some Nepali guy run up to a girl, punch her in the face, and run off. People tried to apprehend him, but he was gone in a flash. I was really rattled after this, and we went to the main entrance area of Thamel to get a cab back. Shehrish always negotiates price before I get in the car, as the drivers tend to rip white people off. She approached the cab, and the driver motioned for her to quickly get in. She did, the driver slammed her door shut, a kid came and hit the trunk of the cab with a stick, and he peeled off into the night. At first I thought he just didn't see me, and I was running to catch it, but after about thirty seconds of sprinting barefoot through tourists, beggars etc. it became clear that he wasn't stopping. At this point I am in panic mode thinking that she was just kidnapped or something, as the guy was just weaving through cars and driving erratically as if he were trying to escape capture. He finally stops after I have sprinted for about two minutes, and I get in. Shehrish and I start yelling at him, but he just keeps driving, saying he doesn't understand. The guy was definitely on something, as his driving was all over the place even on empty roads. At one point we nearly get into a head on collision with another cab, and when we get to her house, he demands Rs. 300 (we had agreed on 200). Shehrish says no, and the guy threatens to follow us and stay until we pay. I cough up the extra 100, and he left. We have been back to Thamel since, but have avoided taking cabs from there at night.
We went to Durbar square recently, and it was absolutely beautiful. Being white, I was supposed to pay around Rs. 400 for entrance, but we went a roundabout way to avoid having to pay. I find it funny when I have to pay more for entrance than SE Asian people. Garden of Dreams cost me twice as much to enter as it did for Shehrish. Not exactly the best message to send when the country is promoting tourism for 2011. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked as we went late afternoon and it got dark quickly, but all of the carvings on the temples were so intricate and beautiful. Most of the temples in the area are over a thousand years old, and the area had a peaceful vibe. We spent an hour or so having tea at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the entire kingdom. My only complaint was the amount of dust/fumes. The high walls seemed to trap everything, and breathing was difficult.
March/April seem to be prime birthday months in Nepal. I only know probably around 30 people by name so far, and have been to four or five birthday parties in the last few weeks. An average party involves a lot of eating, drinking and playing guitars and singing. I am amazed to have actually lost weight since being here given the amount of food served at any given time. People eat gargantuan portions at every meal, I have no idea how they stay thin. I recently went to one last Saturday when the cricket final was going on. India won, and everyone was in full on celebration mode. We ended up staying until around 1 in the morning, quite late for Nepal. Most nights we get back around 10 or 11.
I am currently on a two week break from work, as the school is between terms. On Wednesday we are leaving for Pokhara, a city about seven hours from Kathmandu by car. Shehrish's dad organizes an event every year for motorcyclists, going from KTM to Pokhara and back (www.enfieldpokerrun.com). I will be going in the car; I have been on a motorbike since being here and it was terrifying. The Nepal new year is coming up, and that will be celebrated as well. I am really looking forward to the trip, as the pictures look beautiful and I could use some fresh air.
American Idol has gotten so bad. America voted off the best singer this week, Pia, in a 'shocking' turn of events. I think Steven Tyler is on or off drugs again, as his comments have been really succinct, like "I loved it". Most of the contestants have nauseating personalities, but my least favorites are Scotty, a country singer who is a dead ringer for Alfred E. Neuman of Mad comics, and James, a pro wrestling enthusiast who looks like a cross between Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray) and Sloth from The Goonies. Our Saturday and Sunday mornings are devoted to watching the program. I'm amazed by how many Nepali people seem to enjoy it year after year.
Hope everyone is well back home.
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