Day 2 in Kathmandu

Last night I had a wonderful dinner with Tina, the head of the responsible travellers, along with her parents, a friends, and another traveller. Tina also showed me around a bit, which was enormously helpful. I had my first Dal Bhat for dinner, along with a tasty "Nepal Ice" beer. I learned so much, I don't even know where to start. I guess what impacted me the most was what I learned about the schools here. The Gov. funded schools are crap- there are 300 kids in a school with bare walls, one toilet (with no tank , just a hole, and most of the stuff is just all over the place.) I have a choice of either going to these types of schools and helping the teachers with guidance, and how to work with these kids, give them guidance ands such, or going to Pokara and working talking to families and finding out how their educational programs are working out. It's a tough call.

Today I got up adn had breakfast at my hostel,and met up with people at the Shanker Hotel. From their we visited the holy Hindu Temple, saw TONS of monkeys, and watched a cremation- it was a beautiful and quite amazing place. There was cows wandering around and people would come and touch the cows because they were holy. Holy Cow. I got a picture I am excited about of a yogi all in white ash, painted face- you actually have to pay them money to take their picture. They know they are photogenic... and they really are. Next, we went to the famous budha eyes... I wish I could remember teh names of these places. But it was fabulous. Monks walked around while spinning prayer wheels, Om music we play at the preschool set a wonderful mood in the background, and we all felt instantly calm while there. I think it is becasue we were away from the honking and motorcyles, and pedestrians- it is pretty crazy just wallking around. Getting hit seems like it si always a possiblity. We ate lunch on the rough of a building with the most fantastic view of teh city and the eyes. After that we came back to Thamel, and my newly acquired English friend Clare and I went ad foudn a watch, since my hostel doesn't have any clocks and I never know what time it is. IT was sorta an adventure- we toke a ride to find it in, well, essentially it is a basket you ride in and a man pulls you on a bicycle. lIke a carriage.
Dinner is soon, and I have to pee badly, so I will say good bye for now.
Talk to you allsoon.