Moving on....

I experienced my first public bus journey in Nepal yesterday, travelling to Patan (the southern part of kathmandu) to meet Krishna. Rather dusty and bumpy but very unthreatening - most people just totally ignored me and the seat next to me was left free until there were no others left! I quickly found out that with my current lack of Nepali, school/ college students are your safest bet for asking directions as they all speak at least a bit of English.

I arrived rather early in Patan so decided to visit Durbar Square where all the temples are. I hired a guide to get a bit of info. The funniest bit for me was a temple that had intricate carvings of all the Karmasutra positions which my guide explained to me were important in the 16th Century because they taught the public "how to make a family". Reminded me slightly of my dissertation and the use of pictures and statues to teach the lay people. Only difference was that in Christianity they were used to preach chastity and virginity!

Once I left the tourist trap of Durbar Square, there was not another foreigner in sight all day! Oddly, I found the non-tourist part of Patan far less threatening as everyone just ignored me, rather than trying to sell me lots of stuff in a hassling manner.

Krishna (director of SHEWD) met me on his motor bike, taking me back through the chaotic traffic to Thaiba, the village where I will be living and working. (look at google maps to see where it is.) The village was absolutely beautiful and the house rather grander than expected! Certainly a step up accomodation wise compared to what I lived in in Tanzania. I even have my own balcony!

I'm moving to the village today which I am very excited about. I shall keep you updated and try to upload some photos soon.

XXxx