I have been in Kathmandu over a week now and I am beginning to have a little sense of how to get around. Taxis are old and rickety and buses seem non existant but then I am a foreigner and have no perspective on this reality coming from the West.
I have been to the Stupa of Boudhanath several times and have managed to not get lost. The poor dogs, cows and other animals wander around in search of food and the piles of garbage left over from the Hindu festival of Desai still pile up on the streets.
On a lighter note there are lots of market stalls around the Stupa with many interesting Buddhist paraphanalia and other items. The tourists flock to this part of the city to see the Stupa and it is easy to hear voices from all over the world. Of course the big deal here is trekking and most people come to wander around the Himalayas and see the great views of these magnificent mountains.
On the political front the country seems to be in chaos with the temporary government still in place but talk of Maoist action again. The communists are a nasty bunch from stories I have heard and seem to have little or no regard for human life or any compassion for the people. Just like the army of the state they seem bent on power - the Nepalese don't have much of a chance unless a saner perspective comes to the fore. The war has not done much for the people and I see a "deadness" in the eyes of the people I pass in the streets.
The kids at SMD are delightful and they bring some hope to their families and to their culture. The school has done so much for these kids and they are obviously a happy, well-cared for community who take joy in their existence. I hope more and more kids can have the opportunity for a higher education and continue to get scholarships around the world.
If anyone reads this out there and has been contemplating supporting the kids here I can attest to the fact that your support would not go to waste. Earing merit yes and also providing opportunities for kids to go to school and have an education and - ohe yes - eat!
Catch you later!
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