Arrival

I don't even know where to begin. We were picked up by Evie's friend Betty. Betty is 83, came to Nepal in 1967 for the state department and is now retired and loves Nepal. She just returned from a 10 day trek just missing the avalanche in the mountain pass that was in the news.
Anyway she took us back to Durban Square for major celebrating. There were parades and truck loads of young people singing and playing drums. Many were dressed in the traditional Newar garments.
Evie got a front seat at a program featuring the Prime Minister of Nepal and he even waved at her!
While she dazzled the Prime Minister we visited the Palace of the former kings of Nepal. Outside is a statue of the Monkey God (Matt and Becky standing in front).
Everywhere you turn there are temples and people lighting candles.
Then Betty took us to lunch and we met the wife of the current US Embassador. She said she would give us a call next week to invite us to their home. (I'm not holding my breath).
Now to the outer area of Kathmandu to see the stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley. Much of the valley is full of cement houses packed together, but there are parts that are still beautiful farm land against the backdrop of the stunning mountain ranges. We drove out to the gorge that was cut to drain the valley which was once a lake. There we were all blessed by a holy man who spends his days in meditation. It was a very spiritual experience! Then we drove to Pharping which is a temple that has pools of fish around it. There we lit prayer candles in memory of loved ones.
It was a most amazing day and we were blessed to have Betty be our guide. We will meet up with her again.!