March 25

We awoke readied to go for tour adventure. Sam, the minister of Peacemakers, texted us and had to change time to 930, instead of 830. So we ate our hearty, included breakfast here at the hotel. Then we hiked across some of Kathmandu (about one mile) to his place.The oldest son met us and took us to the car. Sam was there getting it ready. We three – Sam, Jeff, and I loaded up in his Nissan SUV and set out.

We arrived at Swayambhu. Jeff paid our entry fee. We entered with Sam as our guide. (It is commonly known as the monkey temple, as there are monkeys on site.) The temple complex is among the oldest religious sites, and is credited to being built around fifth Century A.D. Also the Hindu and the Buddhists revere this site. It consists of a stupa, some shrines and temples, a Tibetan monastery, plus various shops and a museum. The main stupa, Mahachaitya, has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on four sides. Sam said the eyes are representing peace and on four sides because all seeing. Between the eyes, the number one (in Nepal script) is painted in the fashion of a nose. The actual stupa structure is painted white and this makes the gold-colored eyes and nose stand out. The smaller temples and shrines are to various Hindu gods. Ever-present were the monkeys, because there are tourists with goodies! The complex has undergone many renovations, of course. We walked all around. No one can go inside the stupa or up in the golden spire. But there are still nice views over Kathmandu, albeit, “hazy” ones from the air pollution. The Kathmandu area is referred to as 'The Valley,' because well, the city is in a valley. We left and loaded up to go on. (We did get gas next, which Jeff offered and paid for.)

I will add here, Sam passes out his 'tracts' to people or leaves them on a bench, etc.. He is definitely geared for this! and does it well. He gives them and calls them, “a gift for you.” It is refreshing, and not pushy the way he presents them. He even gave a New Testament Bible to a parking attendant who greatly aided with him getting his vehicle out of a space.

We, next, were taken to an overlook area of the western side of Kathmandu. Sam said 15-20 years ago this area was all agriculture – rice fields, mostly. But the younger generation moved more in the city for work other than farming so the area has turned into housing. The Government stepped in and made some of the area be retained as farmland. There was still some terracing along the hillside present. We were ready to move on, when a little stall/shop opened right there and Jeff went and bought us and Sam some water. (Their first customer today!)

Sam took us to a place he called the “fish pond.” It was a large pond that was, well, loaded with fish, koi-like. They were so big. There was a restaurant, Taudaha View Garden Resort. We did get a mid morning snack. Jeff and I split a cream of mushroom soup, and Sam had the same soup as well. Sam paid for this. After we ate we did go to the fish pond and feed the fish. Some of the fish were gold-colored, but mostly they were mottled with many splotches of color.

Next, Sam drove us to the Patan Durbar Square, but it is a large site and we decided to come back here when we have more time, to justify the larger foreigner entry price. So Sam took us back to his place where his wife was making lunch for us! We did not know about this. It was a pleasant surprise. We had Dal with rice; sides of spinach and the veggie pickling; and some chopped, fried pieces of chicken with also fried chicken 'sausage' (what we would call hot dog). It was a big meal and so unexpectedly nice.

After we ate, we left and went back to our place. I got caught up on the last two days blogs, as Jeff took a siesta and read some. We had some great salami with that yak cheese as a sandwich (with a York we found at that supermarket from a couple days ago) for supper. Showered and wound down from a great day. Bed by 2200.