Kathmandu Day 1

We finally got our hotel sometime between 11 and 12pm local time. We were exhausted. Getting a Visa and entering Nepal was a long process. Lots of really long lines and we were tired. Even though I didn't have a change of clothes (no luggage), it felt great to take a shower and get some sleep. I was soooo tired.

I slept great and we woke up to a wonderful continental breakfast. We stayed at the Mulberyy Hotel. It was very nice. The accommodations were great and I loved that it provided breakfast, and lots of options with breakfast.

We decided to visit the Swayamhunath Temple also know as the monkey temple. This is a popular tourist spot in Nepal. Against the discretion of the hotel workers we decided to walk there. We had been traveling so long the days previous we knew a walk would be great. We headed out and walked to the temple. It probably took as an hour to get there and we walked through a lot of different neighborhoods on the way. it is always so fascinating to be in another country and see what life is like for the people that live there. Nepal seems to be a pretty poor country. it was interesting how roads would just turn to dirt in the middle of a neighborhood and then it would turn back to pavement later on. As a visitor I had no idea why this happened but definitely different than what I am use to.

To get up to the monkey temple you have to walk us 365 steps. One for each day of the year. They were steep and that was a lot of steps to get to our destination.

Part way up the stpes. We still have a ways to go.

 Little did I know I would see so many Stupa's in my time in Nepal. Nepal is the birthplace of Buddha and there are Stupa's all over the country. It is really interesting to watch the local people come and worship at their temple. They are very kind to let strangers enter. It definitely takes away from some of the sacredness, in my opinion.

 There were lots of shops set up selling the most beautiful paintings.

 The temple grounds were actually very large. Unfortunately they were also filthy. There were multiple Stupa's in this location.

 It is nicknamed the monkey temple because there are tons of monkeys that live there. They are native to the area and a whole lot of them live at the temple. They seem friendly unless you have food on you.

 The monkeys really are everywhere.

Looking down on all the steps as we are about to leave.

This visit took up all of our morning which was nice. We walked back to the hotel and got back in time for lunch. We had to exchange money too. $1000 rupees in Nepal Money is just over $9 american dollars. It was crazy to exchange a little over $300 and end up with so many bills.

We spent the rest of the day wandering around Temille. This is the area where our hotel was located. It is also where most tourists stay when visiting Nepal.

 Kathmandu is a very crowded and dirty city. Definitely not my favorite type of place. There were so many people everywhere we went.

 Their electricity is all above ground and it was crazy to see all the wires everywhere.

 Finally at 10pm we headed to the airport to see if our bags arrived. Luckily they did!!!! I was so excited I had to kiss my bag. It would have been awful to have to go and rent everything. Expensive and awful so this was a BLESSING!

 We had to hurry back to the hotel and get everything prepared for our 6am departure time. I must say a shower and clean underwear (after four days) never felt so great. I didn't sleep very well this night. There was too much anticipation for the trek. i was excited and nervous.