Thamel: Times Square of Kathmandu

I had to purchase a few things for my trip tomorrow. Thamel was the place to go. Thamel is the epicenter for the trekking world. Its where they all stay, eat, and shop for gear. I had to get a warmer hat and a sleeping bag. The equipment isn't the same quality as the real gear of the name it bears, but its not bad knock-off quality either.

Thamel is busy, congested, and loud. And a lot of white people. I was happy to get back home to the peace and quiet of Lalitpur! People are constantly bugging you to buy stuff, give them money, hire them as guides. They don't leave you alone.

"Double bed, hot shower, my friend. 300 rupees."
"Trekking? Come see my office! Good company! Come, sir."
"Hash? You smoke hash?"
"Where you going? Rickshaw?"




(notice the guy on the far right bugging the trekkers)
(notice the trekkers successfully ignoring him)

Its just like Times Square without all the lights. Or I should say like Gatlinburg. Tourist traps. But there is some good stuff too.

I debated on how to get there, and decided I was too cheap to spend the $10 taxi fare, and I didn't know where to get on the $0.50 minibus. So I walked. Seven and a half miles round trip. I walk pretty fast so it only took me 2.5 hours total. I saw some cool stuff as usual though.
I ate at Helena's for lunch. Pretty popular spot. I ate on the roof (8 stories up) and had a great view of Kathmandu. It was low 70s with a slight breeze and a warm sun. It was a great lunch. Pizza, water, and 5 bucks later I was out shopping. And FYI, "cheese pizza" in Kathmandu means tomoatoes, onions, shallots, and green peppers. Quite tasty.

I purchased this sleeping bag and hat for 1500 rupees (just under $20). Sweet!



I had read about the Garden of Dreams (click here to read about it) in my guide book as I was mapping out my route. I decided to stop in. I'm so glad I did! For a measly $2 admission I entered tranquility in the middle of chaos. The garden was beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. I stayed for awhile, and definitely plan to head back sometime.







Relaxing under the Honeysuckle. I can like honeysuckle here. Its not invasive :)



I then walked the hour and fifteen minutes back home, and was in desperate need of a shower.

By this time it was dinner time. Momos! Gotta love the momos. They made around 300 of these tasty little puppies. I only took out 12 of 'em.



Parting Shot:

I was talking with my dad on the phone one night as the sun was going down here in Kathmandu. He said he was watching it rise there in Cincinnati. That, my friend, is something pretty cool to think about.
So here is a picture of Venus, Jupiter and the moon as I saw it tonight. What I already saw, you are about to see. Crazy.