Page 7 of Indiabuffy Travel Blog Posts


Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu July 7th 2009

Here are an assortment of photos for you from the ashram and the many birthdays that we have had and most of them are self explanatory. Enjoy.... read more
My Guruji (Swami Panchsheelji), Swami Pranmurtiji, me and Jaisri.
Greg an American who has been in India and Nepal for 2 years and Jaisri
Hgming's birthday, a visiting devotee from Korea.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu July 7th 2009

It’s so wonderful here that it’s almost pointless in my trying to explain, but you know me, I’ll try anyway. First, getting here. I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Guru between 1 and 2 as planned and eventually in walked a very good looking man of about 38ish in long robes. Sure enough, it was him. He then looked at my bags and said that he had come by motor bike. I said that he must be joking to which he replied, “Yes”. I breathed an audible sigh of relief. After a few minutes he said, “Yes, I am on a motorbike”. He was serious! He then went on to tell me that we probably could manage. Now picture this, me, a huge orange suit case, a backpack with laptop etc, a shoulder bag, ... read more
A fantastic pink  and orange bug along the way.
A wonderful view of Janagal from the shram.
All so beautiful.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath July 7th 2009

Boudha etc. I am so behind in my blog that I am now not sure what I have done and what I haven’t, but I shall try to catch up in reasonable chronological order! Here are a few photos of the lovely guest house where I stayed in Boudha, which is run by the Shechen Monastery. I have also included lots of photos from a day we had in Kathmandu looking at many of the wonderful temples. ... read more
Shechen monastery
The garden of Shechen Guesthouse where I stayed in Boudha with the monastery in the background.
The little restaurant from just outside my room.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath June 9th 2009

Mainly photos this time, don't want to tax you too much! Once back from Patan, the children fell on the books and were totally absorbed for ages. Once the community library is up and running these will be rotated there too, so they really will be greatly appreciated not only by the orphanage kids, but the kids in the local community too. Thanks girls. The money you gave me at Jackie’s and my birthday lunch went a long way and got some great reading material that is hugely appreciated. P.S. Anyone want to sponsor a slum kid? About $30 a month I think. ... read more
Loving the books
Oh, which to choose.
The kids were totally wrapped in the books.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath June 9th 2009

It was time for me to put to good use the money that my friends had given me for the orphanage kids here at Sunrise. They have very few books so it was decided that we would visit a great book store in Patan. We went through central Kathmandu and there was once again a protest of some sort. That seems to be a daily occurrence here. Every morning I read the local paper and there has been a demonstration, a Banndh (shut down of everything) or a protest of some kind. It’s a very new government (the Maoists are out) and things certainly are in a state of flux. Don’t worry, I feel quite safe but it is an inconvenience when I can’t get to places because the road has been closed - again! Patan, ... read more
Durba Square, Patan, not to be confused with the one in Kathmandu.
A bronze figure praying on top a column.
A Hindu temple

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath June 7th 2009

Kalimati Slums. This is another project of Emma’s at Sunrise, and Emma and I visited the slums with a few children from the orphanage yesterday. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have driven past many slums in various countries and it’s always horrifying to imagine people actually living in conditions like that and I always thought that the people would be hostile, angry that we are the have’s and they are the have not’s, but it was different. Partly due to Emma being there and what she is trying to do for them of course, but what really surprised me was that a lot of them still seem to have a degree of dignity. There is also very much a hierarchy. There are the elite even in a slum area! The poorest of the poor ... read more
Dancing among the dirt - with a banana.
These are cooking fires, they sleep in the same area.
A group talking with Emma on the left.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath June 7th 2009

I feel that so much has happened since my last blog that I hardly know where to start. I always try to keep text down to a minimum as I know it is so much easier reading a story through pictures and everybody loves looking at photos! So, where to begin? Firstly I am simply loving living in Boudha and shall soon take some photos of the lovely little guest house where I am staying and the environment around it. I have managed to get a micro van to school and back and even went into town and had to change once. Might not sound much to you, but these vans hurtle along while someone hangs out the door and yells the destinations, all in Nepali of course. There are no stops either, you just flag ... read more
The little one on the end is Sushmita who I am sponsoring
I am also sponsoring Rajan, top right.
Beautiful children.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath June 3rd 2009

During my shopping expeditions around Thamel I have become friendly with a lovely young man, Raju, in one of the local shops. I have bought a few gifts for friends and family and a couple of silk rugs there and now whenever I pass the shop I am invited in for a cup of chia (Nepali version of chai! ) During one chat over chia I mentioned that I would love to buy a traditional mandala Thangkas and Raju said that a friend of his paints them. So we went and visited Sonam Lama, a very good looking and talented young artist, and there I succumbed to buying one and commissioning another. The one that I have ordered will take two or three weeks but I intend to be here that long anyway. After we had ... read more
Preparing the canvas for my mandala with an unfinished painting behind.
Sonam Lama at work, on the floor of course with the canvas attached by a string to the wall. That way they can use the light wherever it may be.
Raju and his children, he adores them.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Boudhanath June 1st 2009

Bodhnath is about 6km from Thamel and being there is like strolling around a town in Tibet. There are Buddhist monks and people in national Tibetan dress everywhere. The shops sell Thankas (traditional Tibetan paintings) and Tibetan artefacts. The stupa is huge and very imposing and is believed to have been built in AD 600. There are lots of wonderful shops, cafes and restaurants around the perimeter of the stupa and I loved sitting sipping a latte watching the world go by. People walk around the stupa clockwise and spin the prayer wheels built into the walls of the stupa as they go. There are many gompas or monasteries in the area and some of them have small guest houses attached. I am considering moving into one lovely one with beautiful gardens or I may rent ... read more
Prayer flags viewed from the first level of the Stupa at Bodhnath.
Children playing under a huge engraved bell.
Circumambulating the Stupa has to be done clockwise.

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Durbar Square June 1st 2009

Late one afternoon I decided to take a walk to the very famous "Durbar Square". I only got to see a small part of it so will visit again, but what I saw was magnificent. I got lost in the narrow alley ways going there even though I had what I thought was a great map. And I also got lost in the wonderul markets on the way back. But getting lost here isn't a problem. Even though I saw very few westerners, the locals are happy to point (literally) you in the right direction.... read more
A lot of the building were damaged in the earthquake of 1934
I am having a guess that this is Kali, as it's black and scary.
The buildings are magnificent.




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