So little to do, so much time. Strike that, reverse it.
My last few days in Nepal are going faster than two cheese coneys in the hands of a fat man. Got back from trekking, went to Lumbini, and now its Dipawali (or Diwali) (or Tihar) and the city is going crazy! But I’m enjoying it.
Dipawali is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrating the homecoming of Rama. Its also seems to be the festival of loud noises. Firecrackers are going off all night which then gets the dogs barking. And last night at 12:15 am our neighbors were BLARING music and dancing until 1:00 am. Insanity.
On the other hand, its been a lot of fun. The city is decorated in lights and it looks like Christmas. Candles are lit in front of all the houses and rangolis (pictured above). And I mean ALL the houses. Groups of young people travel from house to house singing and dancing. The people in the house will come out and watch and then give money and food to the traveling musicians. Kathmandu ceases to be a big city and becomes a tight community. Its a really good atmosphere. A definite welcome change from the city of demonstrations and unrest at non-festival times.
Today I will give a tour of Kathmandu to my friends that came over to go home with me. Then I still need to find some time to pack and say goodbye to friends. Then add that to the anxiousness (is that a word?) I feel about getting home and seeing my family and friends, and the apprehension I feel about having to leave a county and people I’ve come to greatly enjoy over the last year. *ah, deep breath* And I need to get a hair cut in there sometime!
But I will soon be able to relax a bit in Thailand, get some amazing Thai food and a Thai massage before I make the last long leg home through Tokyo, Chicago, and on to Cincinnati. Too much to think about and comprehend. So my trekking trip stories will still have to wait a bit as well as my story and pictures of visiting Lumbini.
But, before I sign off…
I touched a King Cobra! I’ve always wanted to see one and touch one, and I got to in Lumbini. I’m probably more excited about that than I should be, but oh well. I’m gonna enjoy it!
Ah, a Thai massage! The bad thing is that you can’t get one AFTER the loooong flight back home. That’s when you really need it. But peace and safety to you over the next few days and as you transition back into this country. Hope you have someone to “debrief” with.
Awesome, re: king cobra