Namaste! (Sights and Nostalgia in KTM Valley)

Kelvin and I started our recent (~annual) adults-only Himalayan trip on Tuesday, leaving our kids at home with their routine in my very capable parents' hands (although it was a first for my parents to watch them, from my mom's updates, the kids are doing very well!). When planning this vacation, our original trip was supposed to be to Israel and Jordan, and we pivoted for obvious reasons. We drove to SFO after my call shift, spent some time with Serena and Brad in Oakland and then took the red-eye (16-hour flight) to Delhi, followed by a connection to Kathmandu.

Trying to stay hydrated with the tiny water bottles from the plane! 

We landed at Tribhuvan airport around 9 a.m., a day and a half later (KTM is 12.75 hours ahead of PST), greeted by a car and traditional marigold garlands.

We were taken to our Hotel (Manaslu) in Lazimpat and received a fresh welcome drink.

Here's me at the hotel, showing off my "American Embassy Kathmandu" shirt from the 90's. 

I don't know how many blog readers know that I lived in Nepal for a total of six years when I was a kid (1982-1985 and 1992-1995) due to my parents' jobs with the U.S. Government; however, I haven't been back since!  My middle school years in Kathmandu attending Lincoln school were some of the happiest of my life and I have very fond memories of Nepal, where I probably got my love of hiking and the mountains (our school would take annual "treks" in the Himalayas). It has been special to return now, thirty years later, with my spouse (Nepal is a new country [#41] for Kelvin), seeing the sights as an "adult," most of which I do not remember (the people, on the other hand, I remember well)!

(My mom saved and brought us some of these memories!)

We started out sightseeing in the town of Patan (also known as  Lalitpur), which lies across the river from Kathmandu city.

Patan is known for its metallurgy and many lovely temple squares courtyards. While most citizens in Nepal are Hindus, there is a sizeable Buddhist minority, especially in this town.

Golden Temple

Patan Durbar (Palace) Square

We visited the small nearby museum, learning about many of the Buddhist and Hindu gods/goddesses. 

Here pictured is one "Tara"

Goddess Tara was also featured in the nearby artist's painting exhibition.

Our next stop was Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas (Buddhist temples in the shape of Buddha’s body) in the world, a sacred site for Buddhists in Nepal and Tibet, and an UNESCO heritage site.

Kelvin spotted a Pho restaurant with nice views of the stupa, which is where we enjoyed a quick lunch -- he always likes to try Vietnamese food in the countries we visit!

(He said the pho was good and I had a tasty papaya salad which I did not regret later).

We concluded the day at grounds of the Hindu holy site Pashupatinath, the birthplace of the God Shiva and a World Heritage Site (only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple).

There were many Sadhus (holy men) or alleged Sadhus, per our guide… and monkeys. 

We learned about the cremations that happen regularly on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River and witnessed one just starting as well as other Newari customs.  We photographed a “sacred cow” and explained to Kelvin why beef is rarely served in Nepal (and I do not care for water buffalo, the burger alternative, which I remember well from my youth!). 

The following morning, we left Kathmandu city to venture southeast to the village of Panauti, which was given as a "dowry" by a past king to his sister. It dates to the 13th century and I think we were the only tourists walking around the quiet town. 

hand-threshing wheat 

Dog, cat, chicken friends

Hanumana (monkey God)

Lord Shiva mural

Shivalinga (fertility symbol)

In the afternoon, we walked around Bhaktapur,  the third ancient city of the Kathmandu valley, a lovely old town full of alleys, picturesque squares and buildings dating from the 15th-17th centuries (including the Peacock Guest House that we stayed at, which is 700 years old!).

The city is known for its exquisite wooden "peacock windows" and beautiful wood carvings.  

Wood carving of Ganesha

Royal baths (snakes are important)

Many buildings and temples were damaged in the major 2015 earthquake, but the town came together quickly to rebuild.

Located in Taumadhi Square, the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple is the highest in Nepal.

Chariot wheels

with our guide, Rajiv.

The craft of pottery is also very important in Bhaktapur and the ceramic pots start as black clay found on the riverside near Kathmandu.

We enjoyed Ju Ju dhau (king's curd), a delicious traditional yogurt made from (water) buffalo milk, and served in mini ceramic pots. 

(from Red Tara Coffee & More)

"Buff" (buffalo) chow mein at Golden Eyes restaurant.

Bhaktapur Boba

(the years are counted differently here)

Kathmandu has been historic and lovely. We are both enjoying the spicy and delicious (and inexpensive) food and all of the culture. The people are delightful and have treated us so kindly.  Now, onto the "entree" of our trip, the "Kingdom in the Clouds" (Bhutan)...

Trinidad Run, Catch, Release

We had lovely spring weather this past weekend!  

On Saturday, I ran a 10K at Sue-Meg State Park (formerly Patrick's Point), rescheduled from the weekend of torrential rains earlier this winter, along with friend (and fast, former cross-country runner) Jenna. 

The course was lovely (and not too hilly!), and consisted of four loops, repeated once for those of us doing 10K (there was also a 5K course).

Music kept me company...

... and my time (55:29) was under an hour, which I thought was pretty good for a middle-aged mom of two without being a long-distance runner :) The kids and Kelvin went to the beach after dropping me off, but were back to see Jenna and me finish (she at 47:52, well ahead!). Official race results here.

We went back to Luffenholtz on Sunday, as the kids wanted to catch a crab as a pet (and name one "Pele"). We need another "pet" like we need another kid, and they were able to nab one crab, which I forced them to release.

Keepin' it Real

I enjoyed The Velveteen Rabbit as a child. I saw words from the book on a post recently and they struck me. 

I have often been accused of being "negative" in life. (A good book I read a couple of years ago about people who see the world as glass-half-empty is Bittersweet by Susan Cain, who also wrote Quiet, another book [about the blessings of often-misunderstood introverts] with which I strongly identify). I am not alone.  Iver also, like me, tends to have a "realistic" (as well as highly sensitive) temperament.  At times, I may be "content."  However, I am not a laugh-out-loud often kind of person (my kids love to try to get me to laugh out loud). 

Sometimes I say (or write in ranting company e-mails) things that people don't want to hear because they can be uncomfortable and reveal flaws.  My words may come across as negative, but they are in efforts to make things better, usually offering practical solutions. When things don't improve, it is possible to spiral into cynicism.  As a HSP (highly sensitive person), I am affected deeply about things and people around me, especially things which are inefficient, not working well, or unjust.    

Sometimes my honesty is not always welcomed. I may not always tell you what you want to hear, but I will be honest (and real). I can't stand superficial small talk, which exhausts deeply feeling realists like me. True honesty is truly the only way to have deep, and genuine relationships.  

I may be kinda shabby and definitely worn down, but think everyone should appreciate me wanting to keep it real! 

Blue Ribbons & More!

The kids' second (and last) short-track meet of the spring was yesterday at Arcata High School. We were blessed with another lovely sunny (but windy) day for a meet.

Iver was eager to avenge his second-place 100m finish the week before, and Niall was convinced to take a crack at the first race, Kinder Boys' 50 m dash. 

He did so well on his little legs and took home a second-place ribbon!   Unfortunately, the video(s) that my mother-in-law took of the meet cannot be uploaded here. 

Proud to show Papa, who joined us at the meet from the airport midway.

Iver again competed in the 50 m, the 400m, the third leg of a 4x100 mg relay (with three fourth-graders), and the 100m. 

In good form! 

Sweep!

I so wish I could figure out how to load the videos here, because it's really exciting to watch your kids (and many other kids we know) compete and cheer on their friends (including from other elementary schools). I love supporting the local kids at these meets, and, while Iver loves the blue bling, I'm just happy they're moving their bodies and doing worthwhile social activities!

Legacy

I have to admit that I haven't followed college basketball much in the last few years, but enjoy tuning into March Madness when I can. So much has been written about Caitlin Clark, the senior who just finished up her career at Iowa, and the excitement she brought to the game and all the records she broke. She truly has been a joy to watch, even though her team fell short to undefeated South Carolina in the NCAA Women's Championship game on Sunday.  Her legacy, inspiring kids of all genders to reach for the stars, will live on (and she's likely to be the first pick in the WNBA draft).  Thank you, Caitlin! 

Sprint Master

Spring Track is here! It's a short season, and the K-4th graders only have two meets, the first of which was held at Cal Poly's Redwood Bowl on Tuesday.

Niall has participated in Cross Country and in running club, but changed his mind and decided not to run in any of the races, even though I think he probably would have done well in the 50 and 100m. He was mainly whining, lying on the grass, and demanding snacks for the duration of the meet! 

Iver, on the other hand, despite having an injured (possibly fractured?) left hand, was ready to compete!  

He entered the 50m, 100m, 4x100m relay, and the 400m and ended up with three blue ribbons and one second place (the 100 m). 

the home stretch

With friend Olivia, both 400m champions! 

4x100m relay (Lucas, Juan Emilio, Iver, Ryder)

He also participated in the baseball throw and long-jump "just for fun."

The next (and only other) K-4 meet is next week. We'll see if we have one or two sprinters!

From Dr. Pepper to Patient Pepper

 

The above picture is Pepper for Halloween, 2014. 

Iver has never been very interested in Pepper-- until recently. He's had intermittent interest in playing "vet" but has been a bit intimidated by holding and picking her up (in the past). Now, she's old and pretty docile, and she's a good "patient" for his play.

We're trying to get him to be in charge of her eye drops (dog-walking is a bit of a stretch, in part because she doesn't really like to walk anymore!) but it's nice to see some pictures of them together, even if it is as "doctor-patient."