We set off early this morning through the busy streets of Kathmandu to make our way to Durbar Square. A quick 20 minute walk from our hotel, Durbar Square is one of the best known places in Kathmandu. That said, the walk there was almost just as interesting as the rest of the square.
Dusty and crowded, the streets of Kathmandu’s Thamel neighborhood remind us of a strange cross between Hanoi and Siem Reap. With markets selling everything from prayer flags to tea to treks through the north of the country the streets of Thamel hold the potential to entertain for hours on end.

As we walked towards Durbar square we found ourselves in a small courtyard surrounded by Children playing soccer surrounded by Buddhas below a canopy of faded prayer flags. The square itself was probably the most peaceful place that we have found thus far in Kathmandu.

Durbar Square itself was interesting though a little disappointing as we found ourselves being followed by people offering us tours and ignoring our “no thanks.” That said, the architecture of Durbar square was incredible as were the appearances of the “Holy Men” who’s painted faces and dreadlocks would have been great to photograph had they had not been soliciting for tourists to photograph and pay them.

Oh well, I am still hoping to capture some shots of the actual Holy Men here as their appearances are quite eye catching.

In the afternoon we asked to go see another temple and found ourselves wandering the dusty streets of Kathmandu with a guide. To say the off the beaten path of Kathmandu is an experience is perhaps the understatement of the year. The desolate streets, lined with piles of rocks and abandoned streets provided a haunting reminder of the struggles of Nepal.

Once we arrived at the temple and hiked up the 365 stairs to get there, we found ourselves looking over the Kathmandu valley and quickly learning how to properly visit a Buddhist temple (always go to the right and be sure to go around the entire place in a circle). Our guide was awesome as he taught us all of the nuances of the temple, the stupas and the surrounding areas. He told us the meaning of prayer flags, the origins of each of the Buddhist and Hindu Gods and what each of the structures held and symbolized.

More to come on all of this as we’re off to see more!