I think fall is here. It is hard to tell because in KTM we dont have leaves turning gold or falling off the palm trees. But the days are a perfect temperature and the nights are cool and delightful. The afternoon rains every day have finally stopped. The air at night is cool and is almost sweater weather. The tourists are here! OMG, last night out in KTM looked like Europe. The restaurant where I eat almost every day, and has been nearly empty for 3 months, suddenly filled every table with customers. That is good for business here. The streets are empty of street musicians and many of our KTM friends have gone for the big holiday Dashain (like Christmas). They have gone back to their villages to see family, share gifts, and feast on animals they have slaughtered for the festival. The festival season lasts about 10 days. I live in KTM in the middle of Thamel, which is the tourist area. I love being here and I usually have street musicians walking past my window all day long and I miss their music. There are many more sadhus on the streets. They ask for money from the tourists, especially if you take their picture. In the village where I used to live, they asked for rice at each house. The resident of the house would go out with a cup of rice and pour it into the metal bucket they carry, then they would go bang on the door of the next house. Here, they just ask for money on the street. There are celebrations all over KTM in the form of kite flying, swinging on a traditional swing, dancing, and music. Love to you all this harvest season, Sandy
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 03:05:05 +0000