Leaperosy

Varanasi
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I heart Nepal.

It's like India but turned down a notch. I have finally arrived in Kathmandu after many days of traveling. Olly and I didn't last long in Varanasi. The heat there was enough to make even him want to high tail it out, and he's Indian. We stayed one night in a hotel overlooking the ghats. All of the other travelers there were trading stories of weird infections they had picked up in the city where cows are 1 to every 4 people. Apparently 1 night was enough for me to pick one up to. I think I need a shirt that says "I went to Varanasi and all I got was this lousy infection." Seriously, it's like the plague manifested on my neck. Seeing the Ganges was surreal, smelling the smoke from the ghats was even more-so. Our hotel had a great roof top terrace that overlooked the Ganges.

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Our plan was to head to Darjeeling, but due to political situations tourists were not allowed to enter. So we curbed our plans and headed into Nepal. I am like a kid at Christmas when I get a new stamp in my passport. Upon entering Nepal I got 2 stamps and a new visa. My excitement was quickly killed by the bus ride to Kathmandu. No shocks, no rules, and a sick stomach. Ask me about this when I get back if you want a good story for now it is to close to re-live.

Kathmandu is a lovely city brimming with Tibetans. I have been to some beautiful temples and met some extremely helpful people. Today dearest Olly and I went to the monkey temple. We had to hike up a huge hill full of stairs as monkeys and dogs played together all around us. Tibetan prayer flags were waving in the breeze. The view and energy was incredible. This place is incredible.

Cows in Varanasi
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As for the Leaperosy on my neck, it seems to be getting better. Check out the pictures, it was pretty nasty. It hurt me to turn my head.

Anyway needing some good fresh music? Check out "Amit Chaudhuri" Sounded pretty rad.

The adventure of Craig

A Couple of years back when I last frequented India my brother Craig asked me to keep an eye out for a tool that the Buddhist monks use to make the sand mandalas, I was unlucky. upon arrival in Kathmandu I began asking every stand if they had seen this instrument, nobody had a clue what I was talking about. Finally I found a little Tibetan shop brimming with turquoise and good energy. I was sitting discussing the politics of china with the owner when I thought to ask him. next thing I know he was waving in a Buddhist monk and explaining the item to him. The monk proceeded to write out detailed instructions and drawing illustrations of the tool.

Varanasi ghats
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The owner of the shop offered to take me to a monastery by his house to request the item. We were off!! We zipped through the streets on his motorcycle until we reached the giant stupa, a dome shaped temple with a cone and eyes on top. Once in the monastery we showed the item to monks who gave us directions to the local smith who could make an exact replica. We walked around the temple spinning the prayer wheels until we reach a small shack filled with Nepali's banging out designs on copper plates. My friend handed the design to the smithy and he agreed to have it done the following morning for 150 NR (about $2.50 if that)

Temple, Varanasi
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The next morning the shop owner picked it up for me and met me at his store with it. The tool was then passed between monks who were very happy with the precise design. They took turns mocking how to use it. This tool should have some pretty good energy.

Nepal is amazing, I hope to come back here someday and take the 25 day trek to MT.Everest. Wanna come?