Kathamndu - 18 Months After

In Need of Some Propping Up

Temple .. Durbur Square

Temple .. Durbur Square

We were up for our walk at 6 am.  Nepal's big earthquake happened in April 2015 and we wanted to see for ourselves.

We were somewhat surprised during the drive in from the airport.  Most seemed as we remembered it.  Little visible damage, for the most part.

Our hotel was undamaged.  New structures are going up around it, but it remains a little oasis amid the bustle and chaos of the streets and alleys surrounding it.

I had seen media images from the old palace square (Durbur Square) which has many very historical buildings and temples, as a  UNESCO World Heritage site.  Yes, there was damage, but surprisingly, many structures are still standing, some with a certain amount of damage, some walls propped up with beams.

The old palace, a newer structure than some others, sustained a lot of damage and is mostly blocked off. 

Life goes on.  Street merchants were out in force by the early hours, the market was busy by 6:30 am.  The usual touts and salesmen were working the streets.  We were constantly solicited by rickshaw and taxi drivers.

We don't have enough time today, but when we get back, closer to the end of November, we'll have time to really explore.  We've heard that the historical structures in Patan were badly damaged.  There are some other historical sites we'd like to see as well.

It's nice to be back.  We head off tomorrow for a few weeks of trekking.

Namaste.