Things are winding down here in preparation for my departure on Tuesday morning… I was going to join the group in the village literacy project but their departure was delayed (until Saturday afternoon) and they were going to have to stay over, and it was going to crowd in my plans for the last two days, so I decided to stay in town.
Bishuo and Makunda were summoned to meet me at 5 and they took me out to a funny little place in Thamel… I have avoided Thamel for almost the 6 weeks I have been here, but yesterday went there twice… after Shashi tried his best to get me to go and I sent him off with out me, after which I took a taxi to buy a larger carry on backpack. Though I tried valiantly to find a plate for my mother and hankies she requested, I have be thwarted, but none the less did somehow acquire a few things to bring back for folks to admire upon my return to the Ponderosa. I few to many “objets d’art” made of bronze to put thru, so got a great little backpack and noticed a guy that stitches patches and things along the road back to the taxi… I convinced him to do a Nepali flag on the backpack, and had a very nice conversation with him.
So I was back in the guest house by 10ish and listened to the BBC-FM all night, dozing and sleeping, as they were playing music from the Live Earth Concerts sponsored by Al Gore. It was great… having dreams with Madonna and The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Himalayas and Nepali buses all mixed up as I slept… Gore is one USAan that makes me proud.
Woke up early, had breakfast and was at Boudha Stupa by 745am. The best time, before it gets filled by tourists, yet is filled with Buddhists circumambulating the stupa, so I quickly get in the flow, I like to do 3 laps at ground level, 3 more at mid-level inside the wall, and another 3 at the very highest. While at the highest level the Himalayas broke out of the clouds, which I took as a both a good omen and a blessing for the time I have here. Which has been overwhelmingly great! The people here are absolutely great, their culture and history and food so interesting. They have been patient with me, and I look forward to any future collaborations.
So the rest of the visit looks like: Class tonight, a talk at TU to the math education department, and packing, packing, and packing… I am sure there are a few dinners and lunches in there as well.
Bishuo and Makunda were summoned to meet me at 5 and they took me out to a funny little place in Thamel… I have avoided Thamel for almost the 6 weeks I have been here, but yesterday went there twice… after Shashi tried his best to get me to go and I sent him off with out me, after which I took a taxi to buy a larger carry on backpack. Though I tried valiantly to find a plate for my mother and hankies she requested, I have be thwarted, but none the less did somehow acquire a few things to bring back for folks to admire upon my return to the Ponderosa. I few to many “objets d’art” made of bronze to put thru, so got a great little backpack and noticed a guy that stitches patches and things along the road back to the taxi… I convinced him to do a Nepali flag on the backpack, and had a very nice conversation with him.
So I was back in the guest house by 10ish and listened to the BBC-FM all night, dozing and sleeping, as they were playing music from the Live Earth Concerts sponsored by Al Gore. It was great… having dreams with Madonna and The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Himalayas and Nepali buses all mixed up as I slept… Gore is one USAan that makes me proud.
Woke up early, had breakfast and was at Boudha Stupa by 745am. The best time, before it gets filled by tourists, yet is filled with Buddhists circumambulating the stupa, so I quickly get in the flow, I like to do 3 laps at ground level, 3 more at mid-level inside the wall, and another 3 at the very highest. While at the highest level the Himalayas broke out of the clouds, which I took as a both a good omen and a blessing for the time I have here. Which has been overwhelmingly great! The people here are absolutely great, their culture and history and food so interesting. They have been patient with me, and I look forward to any future collaborations.
So the rest of the visit looks like: Class tonight, a talk at TU to the math education department, and packing, packing, and packing… I am sure there are a few dinners and lunches in there as well.
Comments