Sunday 14.2.10

Since the last blog we have spent each day at the orphanage from 10am till 4pm. By that time I am quite tired for it is hard keeping wee ones interested and trying to get their attention. Nevertheless it is worth while. The kids are well fed, clothed and they all appear healthy to me. A doctor comes in once or twice to check them re any ill health issues but so far there appear to have been none.
Friday saww the Hindu festival of Pasupatinath Siva ratri held at the most important Hindu temple in Nepal called Pasupatinath. On Friday there were some 700,000 visitors . We went yesterday on a guided tour and it was still very busy. The temple sits beside the river Bagmati, a holy river to the Hindus. Some devotees bathe in what is a most polluted river and seem to suffer no sudden consequences! by the terraced banks lie rows of concrete squares about 3 feet by 3 feet, on top of which lie layers of sturdy logs.Cremations are held there every day, and whilst we were visiting we saw two such cremations. The holy man lights the kindling, setting fire to the logs and before the shrouded corpse is consumed by flame he lays layers of rushes over the deceased.Impressive.The compound abounds with vervet monkeys and cattle, which are of course holy animals, the cows I mean, for Hindus do not eat beef.The place unfortunately is littered with rubbish, a problem of the whole of Kathmandu.
We next were taken to a Buddhist temple or stupa as it is known. This one was the largest in Nepal and was quite magnificent in its symmetry, the huge dome a yellow white colour which is continuously freshened by pilgrims buying yellow and white powders mixing them with water, and then throwing same over the dome! The whole edifice is surmounted by a huge golden square pillar. very very impressive and unlike the rest of the city the complete area was clean.
Friday saw my trip to hq GWT. I was given the most wonderful reception, garlanded when I arrived by the officers there. Shown around the whole complex, given a tutorial as to their duties and what the trust does, then as guest given lunch at 10.30am!I had only eaten breakfast some 2 hours previous to that! With some difficulty managed yet another meal of dahl bhat takiri, rice will be coming out of my ears before March. This visit was indeed a highlight of my trip so far. I am so pleased to heve been given the chance to reconnect so to speak with gurkhas. Believe I met 3 from the 2nd 1oth Rifles, my old batallion.
Tonight we will have dinner as guests of the Rotary club of Kathmandu
Next Saturday all being well we aim to take a flight over mount Everest early in the morning.
Today we had the 2nd of our Nepali language lessons. Interesting but will need to practise.
Next blog problably midweek.
Namaste from Nepal.