Kathmandu

Kathmandu has a different feel about it than most Indian cities. Delhi, Amristar, Agra and Jaipur are all huge, smelly, smoggy places where people prey on tourists (mostly white ones) asking them for money, to buy things from shops, to feed their children, to get photos taken of them etc etc. There really is no moment where you can relax while you are walking around because as soon as you do you have a motorbike/rickshaw/auto-rickshaw/car/bus/cow/chicken/goat/person/oxen pulled cart/bicycle bearing down on you and you are inches away from being seriously hurt. It's always an exercise in frustration and one that is mentally draining.

Kathmandu is a bit different. For starters, a few of the streets have sidewalks. (Footpaths.. whatever) This means that for some of the time you can just look around and admire the beauty of the ancient temples, or the mountains around you without worrying whether you are going to be cleaned up by a car.



It is also different in the fact that many of the Nepali people do not feel the need to yell things out at you while you are walking past their shop. In Kathmandu I don't have to feel like I have to walk straight ahead without looking into a shop without the shopkeeper saying to me "You like shirt, many shirt inside, good price.. come sit.. sit!!"

To be sure it happens from time to time, but it's nowhere near as bad. The other major difference in the people is that they don't seem to think white skin is an invitation to stare. I can pretty much walk down the street and mind my own business without feeling 50 sets of eyes on me as I walk.

Last night, I met up with Gerry and we had a coffee together and a bite to eat. We then went to a Jazz resturant that was really good. We sat on cushions and had a few beers and talked about the Nepali people and the differences and similarities between India and Nepal, the Maoists, the Caste system and other stuff. I felt smarter afterwards. Too bad I was so dumb to begin with.