Flying into Kathmandu the view of the gorges and rivers was wonderfully enticing.
The streets of Kathmandu were a cornucopia of color, sound and smell.
One of thefirst places we visited was Swayambhunath, a sacred Buddhist temple that overlooks the city
The image of this temple is one of the enduring images of the city of Kathmandu
Inside of the monastery, monks chanted and prayed.
A proliferation of stupas and offeings that blended hindu and buddhist traditions was very interesting
Buddha's Eyes
Quinn and Griffin look to get in the Portland paper
Griffin relaxing after a hard day at the Stupa
Young monks bringing books up the hill to the monastery
The buddha's eyes and the top of the stups
Final view of the Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath is known as the Monkey Temple and there was abundant evidence of the reason for this. Unfortunately a hungry boy and his cucumber are soon parted by a hungry monkey
The senior monks have a separate room in which to pray, we were invited to observe
Two of the elder monks
The youngest monk played the drum during parts of the meditation session.
Young and old praying together
On the streets of Kathmandu, every mannner of pashmina fabric was available
down every back street was a view of intensely utilized space and bustling commerce
Two women who set up their vegetable shop in from of a letter-box on the street. This was the norm for vegetable sales in kathmandu
These gentlemen were selling whistles that were cleverly carted about the streets.
It seemed that every other shop was selling pashmina scarves or shawls.
Poverty was evident everywhere in the city. This is a particularly chilling photo taken by Quinn of a local woman begging for food in front of the hotel. By the end of our stay we were carrying food to hand out to those in desperate need.
The grand stupa at Boudha was larger than Swayambhunath, and surrrounded by a wonderful collection of displaced Tibettian merchants
The many prayer flags on the Boudha stupa made it full of color and movement.
At night hundreds of Buddhists circumambulated about the stupa lighting candles and chanting
The army presence was felt quite clearly throughout the country