City of Bhaktapur

We spent the day in the city of Bhaktapur. It has the most unaltered buildings in the Kathmandu valley. The whole city is a picture of Newar life. We had to pay $15 to get into the Durbar Square and see many of the sites, but we could see that the money they collect was being put to good use as we could see many renovation projects. They are very careful there to regulate the type of building so that any new building keeps the character of the rest of the city.
Evie spent the afternoon with Archana, her adopted granddaughter. Later Vijay and Ram stopped by to greet Evie and to say goodbye. (There are staff at the Ambassador's house).
After a great last day we have returned to the apartment to start packing.
Hopefully all of our flights will be on time. We've heard that there may be up to 6 inches of snow falling the day we return (Monday). If any of you have any say in this, could you request that it wait for a couple weeks? Thanks. See you soon. There's really no place like home.
Sister LaDonna Olson, M.A.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA

Photo with red blossoms is a poinsettia tree. They are natural to Nepal.

There was much drying of grain outside.

Not all the doors are so short but this one really caused Matt to have to duck to get inside.
We went to a paper making shop and were able to walk up stairs to the top of the building and look out at the rooftops of Bhaktapur.

Patan -- historic city

Visited the very old town of Patan considered the artistic city. In the 3rd century it was the cultural and artistic capital of Nepal, if not the entire Himalayan region. We visited the Patan Museum which has many artifacts from earlier centures and explains the development of Buddhism. We came across a worship service taking place in the square with many Newars taking part in the service - singing and dancing.
Tomorrow our friend Betty is taking us to Bhaktapur considered the most immaculately preserved of the valley's ancient cities.


Stone tablets dating from the 7th century.

Of course we had to stop for refreshments - for me, a cold Diet coke! and for Matt and Becky a hot ginger, lemon, honey tea.

The temples and many of the buildings are very old - 16th century. Pictured are two elephants guarding one of the temples.

Sister LaDonna Olson, M.A.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA

Trekkers Return!

So, yesterday Evie and I decided to do some more shopping. We picked up some handknit wool mittens and a few household items. Then we decided to have lunch at the Kathmandu Guesthouse. This is where the trekkers would be arriving the next day. As we sat at lunch, along came Sr. Becky and her friends. They had returned that morning!
So I called up to Matt's room to tell him I was downstairs at lunch. Since I have laryngitis he didn't recognize my voice and thought it was a prank call. I had to tell him my middle name before he believed me. Anyway, he joined us for lunch and then we walked around Thamel and looked at the many shops there. It was a great afternoon.
Tonight, we are joining the trekking group for their final banquet.


Sister LaDonna Olson, M.A.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA

Photos: yes there is a KFC in Kathmandu but they serve rice instead of potatoes and according to Evie, the chicken is nothing like the USA colonel's.

The Kathmandu Guesthouse is a beautiful hotel. Evie is waiting for our lunch to arrive.

Matt shopping for made in Nepal hooded jacket.

Mount Everest -- no we didn't climb it!

Took the Mountain flight on Buddha Air this morning at 7am. It was amazing to fly along the Himalaya's and finally a view of Everest! We were allowed one by one to walk up to the cockpit and see the mountains with a wider view than our windows. I really loved seeing the "foot hills" although in Minnesota standards these were also mountains. Seeing them clothed with the clouds was so beautiful!
I was back to our apartment by 9:30 and Evie and I enjoyed breakfast together. Then we took a taxi to the Jawalakhel Handicraft Center (formerly known as the Tibetan refugee camp). We saw women weaving the absolutely stunning rugs. They have a pattern to follow and can quickly change colors. We went into the spinning room where the lamb's wool was spun into yarn to be died.
Of course we had to visit the showroom and purchase some rugs to bring home.
Stopped for lunch on the way home. Then back to our apartment for a hot shower and some rest. Last night I helped the girls with their math homework. I didn't realize how rusty my math had become! I don't know if they will want my help tonight or not.

Sister LaDonna Olson, M.A.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA

US Ambassador's Op-Ed

Here is a link for anyone to read from the US Ambassador to Nepal. It is a wonderful piece! Click Here
Sister LaDonna Olson, M.A.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA

Odds and Ends

Here are a few observations and tidbits of info for you.
The exchange rate is about 98 rupees per dollar. So basically we estimate that 1000 rupees is ten dollars. 100 rupees is one dollar. It sure makes it easy to calculate how much something cost in US dollars.

One really begins to realize the implications of our foreign policy when in a foreign country. Although the Russian Embassador to Nepal and his wife are well liked, the US Embassador cannot invite them to any functions or associate with them because of the Ukraine situation.
Also we spoke to the Ambassador's driver at our apartment Sunday morning and he said the Ambassador has a new BMW with all kinds of security extras.

Although we don't see many cows in Kathmandu (probably because there isn't much grass for them to graze, we do see lots of unowned dogs. Dogs are protected and they pretty much lay anywhere they want and somehow they get enough food to survive. You just walk by them on the sidewalk for wherever and they seldom bother anyone. I have had one come up to smell my pant legs, but that is the most bother they've been. They seldom bark unless they are owned by someone and kept in a kennel. There is an organization here that raises money to take street dogs and treat them for any diseases, neuter or spay them and then put them up for adoption.
Tonight (Sunday) we took a taxi home from our adventures for the day and the roads were so congested and the streets so dusty that it almost became hard to breathe. I can't understand why most of the residents of Kathmandu don't have asthma or some breathing condition. It is really bad.
Cost of things: a liter of water for drinking is 25 cents. We drink a lot of water. We could get a large blue jug of water (like they sell at Menards) is available but we don't have the container for it. A loaf of bread is 45 cents. A kraft cheddar cheese package (like we get in the store) is $5.45. (but it was worth it!) Of course souvenirs are more. I bought a Daura suruwal ( a traditional dress/pant outfit) for $35.00. It is all cotton. I have bought several singing bowls (most made from 5-9 metals) ranging from $35 to $70.00 depending on the size. I could get about a cup of cinnamon for 65 cents.
Evie and I eat at our apartment quite often. We have instant oatmeal or hard boiled eggs and coffee for breakfast. We did have delicious sweet rolls that we bought Saturday morning. We have cheese and bread, a fried egg, tea, or a rotisserie chicken for dinner.
It is very easy to get a taxi and we do most of our traveling by taxi. That way Evie can get dropped off right at the door to our apartment building. We are one floor up from ground level. The taxi is usually $2 to $5 of course depending on how far we travel.

Picture one is of Evie and Mondle with his two daughters. Archana, the one of the right keeps in touch with Evie and calls her grandma.

Picture two is taking communion at Kathmandu International Christian Church. It was very unceremonious but awesome to share the body of Christ with so many Christians from different cultures and countries. We cannot share our faith in Christ with Nepali citizens because it is against the law. But we can tell people that we are Christian.

The third picture is of our Sunday lunch at Betty's house: left to right front: Rose from US LaDonna and Patty from UK. Back row Betty and Evie.


Sister LaDonna Olson, M.A.
Deaconess Community of the ELCA

Saturday

Evie is feeling so much better today. We grabbed a taxi at 8 and headed to a place I only knew as "1905". Actually it is a beautiful setting of pools covered over with plants and steps that lead to an area where people set up tables with their wares. We bought some fresh cinnamon rolls and had tea and rolls. We met and talk with several people with ties to the US. Both Evie and I bought some spices - cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, coriander and cardamom.
We met Betty at the American Club. It is a private club obviously only for Americans. It is surrounded by high walls with barb wire. Supposedly the security features are as good as those for the White House. Just getting out of their parking lot required a huge gate to open and a special road ramp to be lowered.
Next we went to the Buddha temple. You walk around the temple clockwise and there are prayer wheels around the entire temple. On the outer ring of the walk there are shops selling almost every souvenir you would want. There are also several Buddhist monasteries around the circle. One of them has a gigantic prayer wheel that you can walk around.
Next Betty took us to the Dwarika Hotel to look around. It began with only a small room for rent. The owner had the foresight to collect and save a lot of architectural things from demolition sites such as windows, doors, trim, etc. These he incorporated into additional buildings on his property and it has now become an absolutely gorgeous and renowned hotel in Kathmandu (probably in all of Nepal, India and Pakistan combined). It was now time for a very late lunch, and because parking is difficult to find, we chose a nearby café and had - cheese pizza. Not very exciting but it was delicious.
Back at the apartment we supervised the carving of pumpkins for a party tomorrow.