Happy New Year 2064?

Monkey Temple off in the distance
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I was in Delhi once again to catch a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. I was soon reminded of the hectic scramble as rickshaw and taxi drivers surrounded me as soon as I walked out of the Old Delhi railway station. Saying I missed this city would be like saying I enjoy going to the dentist, getting into a car accident, and being mugged....all in the same day. Anyways, I was able to bargain a good price for a rickshaw ride to the airport. My bargaining skills have gotten so good that the rickshaw driver jokingly said I was "Indian".

Not sure what this contraption is...
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Once in Nepal, I noticed a complete difference in the people and culture from India. Everyone is much more friendly and there is a strong sense of community, especially in the backpacker's haven of Thamel. Shops filled with souvenirs, pashminas and trekking gear line the busy streets along with the multitude of bars and restaurants.

Friday the 13th marked the Nepalese New Year. I was a little confused at first because the year is 2064 here, making the country ahead by other nations by over 50 years, well technically. The streets in Thamel  were full of signs for New Years parties and crowded with Nepalis and foreigners out to celebrate.

Stupa at Monkey Temple
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On the weekend, I was picked up by an agent from my tour company for my trek into the Khumbu Glacier towards Mt.Everest. I was brought to a very nice hotel which was luxury compared to the places I've been staying in for the last 3 months. I kind of felt like a sellout as I relaxed in a hot bubble bath in my hotel room.

There are 3 other people on the tour with me from London. On our first night we were taken out for a "traditional" Nepali dinner to a restaurant that was full of other tourists. Here, we were able to sample the potent rice wine made of fermented rice that they just kept refilling every time you drank it. After dinner, there was a traditional dance performance about the various ethnic groups within Nepal. However, the dancers did not look too enthusiastic as they danced around because they probably do this every night as a tourist attraction.

Pilgrims lighting candles
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The next day, we had a guided city tour of Kathmandu. First we went to the Swayambhunath Stupa, or the Monkey Temple, which offered great views of the city from the mountain top. This time of year, however, is not very clear in Kathmandu so the Himalayas are not visible.

Next, we went to Kathmandu Durbar Square which is a complex full of holy temples dedicated to different gods. We also saw the sacred Kumari, a young girl who is believed to be a living goddess. She is so sacred that you can't even take photographs of her. She occasionally peaks out from the balcony so that tourists can see her. I couldn't imagine being locked up like that, shut off from the outside world.