Educational Origami

I am still in Kathmandu, we drive up to Pokara to start trekking tommorow the Annapurna Circuit.
The weather here is hot, but not as humid as Bangkok. We have had an interesting day today
We started of by going to the monkey temple on the top of a very tall hill in Kathmandu. Yes, we did see monkeys, they were rhescus monkeys, they were very sure of themselves and they used there sacred status to create all sorts of chaos. Fortunately we missed most of this and only had to avoid the reminders they left of the pavements and railings.

We then walked down the hill to the Umbrella orphanages. We were very warmly recieved and the donation we made, plus the clothing and laptop were well recieved and should make a difference.
The orphanage was great, the kids were very well cared for in excellent conditions, but to be honest it is a tragic situation. These kids are abandoned by parents who can’t care for them, orphans from both sides in the war, or sent by parents to Kathmandu for a better life and they get anything but one. Child trafficers are a reality here and the guys at Umbrella, working with the Government agencies are doing a brilliant job. But if you have spare cash to sponsor this NGO, they could use it

After that we went and saw the biggest stopa in the world. It took us 10 minutes to walk around it. We got to experience the best of Kathmandu traffic jams  - the trip to the stopa and lunch took over an hour  - and most of the time you could not hear your self think because of the horns.
It seems to be standard in Nepal and India for that matter, to beep the horn at every corner, intersection, pedestrian, when over taking, when being overtaken, on seeing a cow, dog (insert animal of choice here) or when bored. I am sure there is a good reason for it, but boy its annoying.

Nepalese driving is also interesting. It is scary being in a bus which is overtaking a car, which is overtaking a parked car itself, all of this on a pitted two lane road with cars coming the otherway, cows and other pedestrians. The traffic jam today was from a cow sleeping in the road. If I was to be reincarnated it would be as a cow in Nepal or India. They are sacred and every one drives round them. Buffalo do not recieve the same treatment or immunity and are quite tasty.

I went for a wander into Tamel - the market district - this afternoon. The major adventure outfitters have outlets shops here, and they sell their guenuine items at cost price to try to undercut the pirates (ironically next door) selling knock offs at 1/2 the price. Its interesting but great fun. Could you see this tactic taking of with Microsoft?

Well tommorow starts at 7am with a 6 hour bus trip and then a 3 hour trek to the first camp - we will need to walk as the bus is cramped and the suspension firm (very very firm).
More to follow soon