Tuesday in Kathmandu

Today we got a fairly early start after breakfast and took a cab to Swayambhunath a Buddhist temple. It is also known as the monkey temple because it is mobbed with these creatures. We went up the eastern stairway, which is made of stone and has 365 steps....it is a steep stairway so it really felt like 365.

There are many Buddha sculptures and along with the Swayambhunath stupa there is a Hindu temple as well. Prayer wheels and butter lamps make this an interesting place to experience.

Of course there are the monkeys and one is warned to be careful if consuming or holding food as they are known to quickly grab things from you.
We watched them play and jump into a pool of water, probably because it was fun as well as cooling.

There are many vendors of trinkets, masks, mini prayer wheels, and singing bowls. Marty Soule is very interested on getting a bowl (bell) and tried put quite a few. We spent a considerable amount of time on two different shops where the therapeutic properties were demonstrated. You can see Marty getting a treatment below. In the end none of us got a bowl, but the search will continue.

We returned to the hotel to see our Nepali daughter, Saraswoti. She is just finishing up her second year working in hospital and when she does will be able to apply to college or university to study for her BSN. Below you see her studying a map with David as we plan tomorrow's activities. We will all visit the private hospital where she works and then Harry and Marty will meet their student!

Also shown below is one of the water tanks - Thamel Goa Hiti. People bathe here, wash clothes, and gather water for their homes.