Nepal 100 Day 5

August 2, 2016

Another rough night. I think that my body just rebels all night what it absorbed that day. My Bluetooth earplugs died again during the night...hmm. Pillow over my head again. I resisted getting up until 7am and slowly got ready.

The sky was mostly sunny, the most beautiful day of the trip. I had the courtyard to myself and had my usual breakfast. It was quiet ( except for the bells of the temple nearby).

Debendra arrived soon after how I was feeling today. I told him and he said that there was a clinic nearby if I needed more than the meds. I declined, feeling like I would be ok and that allowing the meds to work again. I asked that after he was settled in, stop by and talk with me.

When he stopped by I asked about the two art pieces that interested me and what there price would be and for him to offer bus best price, he totaled my bill and returned with my totals. I asked for a bit more discount on the art and he did extend an additional 10% which was very nice of him. One of the pieces is a black and white with strategically placed red and some primary colors on some flags - a painting of trekking to Everest. The second was was more folk art in the Nepalese tradition. It is very colorful and a great deal of detail.

I told him of connecting with his son and Biken on Facebook and made sure that he was ok with that. I told him that Biken was connected to my travel blog and had started reading some of the. I shared that my process for creating my profile pic for each blog and that I'd shared them with Biken, I showed them to him, explained, and asked for his thoughts.

The "Bells" is how life in Nepal is filled with bells. Everywhere they are located (near temples) with each passing the are rung, after touching the heart and the head. You hear a lot a bells all day long. Larger bells are at the temples and even though are rung rarely, are a part of the history. I've edited to blur the background and focus on the bells. I'd chosen Gold for the "100" and silver for "Nepal". I've never used these colors and they symbolize achievement.

The "Durbar Square" option shows the Pagodas with people filling the square. This is an ancient place and a modern gathering place and market. The earthquake, last year, devastated the Unesco World Heritage Site but the photo shows that life has continued on...the square survives. I've put it through a grunge filer to symbolize the damage and the people show that it's a survivor and still important to them. I used gold for "100" and this time a rich purple-red to signify the richness of color that the women wear.

He appreciates the choices and told me that it would be difficult but I would make the right choice.

I showed him my travbuddy page and talked about how the community operates and how much it has done for me, He was very intrigued and plans to create his own profile and showcase places around Nepal and telling people about himself and what's important to him. He is amazing. He just wants to help his community, at large, become productive and grow a life for themselves.

He called and artist friend of bus and asked about art museums that I might visit today. The answer was the National Museum as it would offer history and art. I let him get back to work as he had spent much time talking to me.

Lucie showed up, feeling better, not 100 percent but better. She's had the same reaction to it also. We both consider what it's going to take to get anywhere. Also, we both mentioned that we would pay a premium for a taxi with closed closed Windows and air conditioning. She showed me pics of going to the Monkey Temple and the place where they burn 35 bodies a day and the ash goes into the river. Kids go into the water and look for the gold teeth...seriously. She moved on later in the afternoon. She was taking a bus (7hrs) to her next destination even though a flight would take 20 minutes. The domestic flights are not very safe and I've been told that those pilots do not have much experience. :-(

It was now mid afternoon I had now spent and enjoyable morning with some new friends and I really wanted to see something today despite how the pollution sickness was still affecting me. The day was very hot and mostly sunny so I was even more concerned about the heat combined with the pollution. I had to try though

I talked to Debendra about seeing some art and history. I found a gallery or two and the National Museum of Nepal. He called and artist friend of his and he suggested The National Museum as it would have all that I wanted . I wanted to settle my bill also. I had interest in two pieces of art and asked about their prices. I asked for a good price. He returned with my bills, food ($32 not including lunch or dinner today - a very good price), the trip to the temples and mountains ($70), taxi to and from the airport ($24), a large colorful folk art piece ($45) and a smaller black and white trekking scene ($10) a necklace at ($2.50) for a total of ($183.50).

Debendra hailed me a taxi and negotiated 300 rupee fare. Off we went into pollution hell!

I guess from the rain the night before, it wasn't as bad as usual. Now it was still pretty bad but it was tolerable.

I had my idea from where Debendra described, where the museum was but I was quite wrong. We a turn and entered the world's 2nd most dense shopping area. We continued through the almost cave like zone, rickshaws, and motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrian, tractors...you name it.

He took me into a back alley area that looked to border farmland. This went on for quite some time. I was concerned that he had not understood or...worse. We crossed a bridge which really worried me as now we were outside the waterway that runs through the city. We finally get to a real road (4 lanes of concrete) and it seemed that we were headed out of town? I had already asked him twice, where we were going and as he didn't understand Engliah, I was not answered.

Finally he stopped at a high fenced, barbed wire gate. There was some faded ref writing and the words in English did spell history museum but it didn't seem to be the right one. Maybe it was. It didn't matter as I saw a sign that said "closed". The driver opened his newspaper and seemed to look at something an aid "closed Tuesday". Right... An armed man in camo opened the gate to let someone out and the driver motioned to him, He shook his head ant it was confirmed - closed. I asked to be returned. It took much lees time on the return. I don't know why, glad it was over. I gave the driver 600 rupees as it wasn't his fault.

Back at the B&B, I took a rest in the room and watched a video. I needed some quiet time. I watched Vikings pillage and plunder.

Around 6:00, I returned to the courtyard as my internet connection was not working, electricity was out and I though I would read, Debendra was there and pulled up a chair. He was having watermelon juice and asked if I wanted some. The waiter went to get some for me immediately.

There had been a truck go by on the street and it snagged and ripped the wires to the router knocking out the Internet, He tried to connect to the neighbors Internet but it didn't work. He and one of the waiters did go up on the roof to try to fix it...no good. Two,of the waiters continued to work on the problem but I only had very poor spotty connection, I couldn't send messages, no loading Facebook, but work email made it through :-(

We had a great political discussion about Nepal. They had 120 political parties with a population of 2.5 million. That's crazy. He told me that the government had a budget for road improvements but no money is spent. Where does it go? I asked abut the political influences if its neighbors, India and China. As they do not trade with China ( Himalayas make it not practical) most all goods come from India. They have a long history with India but when strained, India closes its borders. Now India boarders them on three sides and the fourth is the tallest mountains in the world, that puts Nepal is a terrible position. There were times that a single liter of gas would be 1000 rupees ($10). Nepal has no natural oil or gas, well, Debendra says that there might be but the government will not invest in the infrastructure to find out he said that people in Neoal feel that Chinese goods are purchased today and no good tomorrow so, they really don't sell well there.

Debendra had to return to work and I ordered some dinner. I had the pasta with fresh mushroom, choy, and local cheese with a bottle of water. Today my stomach was not doing well so, I was trying to flush as much through me so not to have another central Asian incident.

I returned to my room after to pack, layout what I would wear and prepare for sleep. I had a knock at my door and it was Debendra. He had brought me a gift of the flag of Nepal. This was so kind of him. I wanted one and was going to buy one...just slipped my mind, it's the most unique flag in the world as a "double pennant shape" is used. He thanked me for staying with him and said he would follow me on my blog. I paid him for my evenings food and them went to bed.

I hadn't dome any sight seeing today but did have a "scenic tour" and much great conversation with new friends, Nepali and Spanish, it was a good day.