Eliot's Going to Kathmandu.
(That's where he's going to.)
November/December 2005.
Carolyn's Pics after Eliot left Kathmandu on Dec 20th

 
 
 
  Nepal is a country of stark geographical and cultural diversity. The historical center of Nepal is the Kathmandu Valley where two of the world's great religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, mingle in jumbled and busy towns.

In dramatic contrast to the valleys and plains are the high mountains of the Himalaya that rise in the north of Nepal. Despite an inhospitable landscape of towering icy peaks, the Nepal Himalaya harbors remote Buddhist shrines and monasteries. These are revered by people who live by their culture and faiths in this harsh but pious region. And then, there's Eliot from Dubuque, Iowa.

Visit Eliot's Kathmandu blog at: http://www.livejournal.com/~ecoraider

 
 

November 17, 2005



Thanksgiving dinner at Mike's Breakfast, November 25, 2005.

Here are a few more pics from our TG dinner. As you can see I made a hat for Jenee to entertain her and her mother let her play in the sugar bowl. I'm sure you can guess which one entertained her for longer. Today we spent about two hours shopping at the new improved Bhat Batinni store - it was wonderful. I found my dream large frying pan - it's the simple things here that mean so much. Eliot found the worlds coolest tea cup - we'll have to go back for more. When we got back home I made tuna melt sandwiches that Carmen flipped over - once again it's the simple things here. The Rana kids came over for a movie and popcorn in the late afternoon (Harry Potter II) but our little party ended abruptly when the power went off. I managed to make dinner in the dark with the few flash lights around and then we all ate spaghetti in the dark - rather nice actually. Just as we finished the electricity came back on so I thought I'd bettered get these photos off to you before it goes out again. Bye for now - - Carolyn, official photographer to Ms. Jenee



Prince and Princess of Kathmandu. 11-26-05


Flying anyone? Take the airlines that BigFoot recommends...


Lunch at the Kathmandu Guest House


Suit-measuring-time in Kathmandu.


December 1 Jenee, Eliot and Carolyn




Eliot outside in of an old Hebrew University, a wall around a military facility. Looks like a cemetery to me.


Eliot enjoying (sort of) a Tibetan Millet beer. It was served hot in what appeared to be a small butter churn. 
The straw was pinched at one end to strain out the millet that was brewing in the hot liquid. 
Carolyn says, "I tried it - it didn't taste too nasty but I definitely prefer my beer cold with no floating hops."


 

Eliot in action at a little shop in Bhaktapur where we went yesterday (12-3-05).  It was a great place for shooting - tons of temples built hundreds of years ago.  All the architecture was in the Newari style, which is uniquely Nepali and really cool. This architectural style is characteristic of the Newars, the ethnic group that has traditionally lived in the Kathmandu Valley. Newari architecture is Nepal's most distinctive architectural style. The rosy glow of pink brick homes dotting the terraced fields of the Kathmandu Valley at sunset is one of the valley's most memorable images, especially when seen from a plane - which we hope to see as we go over Mt. Everest tomorrow. (Newari architecture reached its zenith under the Malla kings in the 17th and 18th centuries.)  I've also included a picture of Jenee riding a rocking horse in a wood carving shop where I bought a few cool photo frames.




Right. Here it is. The real thing - on Monday, December 4 they flew over Mt. Everest. It must have been breathtaking.







 

Jenee points at things in the book and Carmen tells her the colors - Jenee repeats what she thinks she hears,but ever word starts with a D sound or B sound which seem to be her favorites. She is quite fun - today Eliot (now known as St. Eliot) babysat with her for almost three hours while Carmen and I stood in line at Immigration trying for the third straight day to get our visas renewed. Apparently all things went quite well and when we got back (still without visas and now also without our passports!!!) Jenee was asleep on his shoulder and had been for quite some time...totally cute.

Tonight we are going out the the Fire and Ice Pizza place in Thamel for Eliot's birthday - then back here to the house where I have a huge chocolate truffle cake from the Radisson bakery with an elaborate Happy B day message on the top. I'll have pics of that tomorrow.






 

Happy Birthday - 23 - Eliot. Click here to view Eliot's BIRTHDAY CARD.








Bouddhanath is a big stupa, which is pretty much a Buddhist temple. I was there during the full moon festival,
so there were butter lamps all over the place. Bouddhanath is also the name of the area in Kathmandu. December 16.




You can't be in Kathmandu and NOT hug a Yak, says Eliot. And he should know. First, you go shopping to hug a Yak.

Then when you find the right one, or in this case three, hug away.



A picture of their friend, Ram.


Final Picture of Eliot with Jenee and Aunt Carolyn in Kathmandu.
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