Hello Kathmandu

We woke up quite early and had breakfast at the homestay. Met the owner and some of the boys working here and they all seem really nice. Its really like being in someones house and we feel at home here already.

The morning was spent at the Indian Embassy submitting our visa applications for India. Firstly trying to find it was a mission and we got lost a couple of times, then take your ticket and queue up. We only had to wait about 90mins in the end so not too bad. We then had to go and get copies of documents from next door and change all the money we had changed into US Dollars (as per the instructions on their website) into Nepali Rupees. After all that, our applications were accepted and an appointment made to come back in six days' time although we have been warned Farida's may take a month or longer.

Next we explored Thamel, had some lunch, explored a bit more, got lost, found our homestay then out for dinner and drinks. There is loads of music everywhere and we watched a fairly good covers band.

During the day, we went into a music shop and Andy had what the owner called "a music massage" using some musical bowls, gongs and bells. Its was pretty amazing. They sell the bowls everywhere, often called singing bowls, but these were top quality and sounded brilliant in his little shop. We may think about buying some but they'll be pretty heavy to send home so we'll see.

This photos is just a typical busy, dusty street in Kathmandu with the beautiful mountains in the background. It is so incredibly dusty here we can see why many people wear face masks.

Haiku
Ringing bowls around my head
Meditation calm
Oasis in dust maze