Patan & Another Durbar Square
Today we had set aside for a long walk south of Thamel to the city of Patan, just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Not that there is much distinction between the two places.
Patan also has a Durbar (or palace) square which also has World Heritage status so it seemed worth the walk to see.
It took about an hour to get south of the open sewer that is the Bagmati River and then a bit more time to walk across Patan to where the square is, following more partly finished roadworks, past various embassies and apartments.
As squares go, it's quite nice. Smaller than KTM's Durbar Square, and less busy. There was one particularly busy Hindu temple but as non-Hindu's, we were not allowed inside. Other than the several wanna-be guides who tried in vain to attach themselves to us, it was quite pleasant. I wouldn't want to be cynical, but I've decided that anyone who approaches us and wants to strike up a conversation really just wants to sell us something. It seems to happen dozens to times each day.
Of course, this is testament to the high unemployment rate among young people in Nepal. One source puts it at close to 50%. Small wonder they are pursuing western tourists.
We had lunch in a cafe overlooking the square.
We spent some time finding some other temples in the vicinity, but I was getting decidedly templed out. I guess there are only so many temples that I need to see. One, though, had several prayer ceremonies being held. Lots of flowers, a very smoky fire, collections of offerings for the deities, bells being rung to alert the deities that offerings had been made...
On the walk back to Thamel, we passed through Patan's city gate, crossed the garbage choked Bagmati River again and eventually found our way back to our hotel. Nice to have a refuge.
I continue to marvel at the traffic, how pedestrians never get the right of way, at the crowds of people, at the goat being led up the sidewalk. It's all part of the experience that is Kathmandu.
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