BEING A TOURIST, 9.7.18

I'm not going to name all of the temple sites, monuments, and buildings ("Phewww", you say, I know I was worried to.)  there are too many exotic names. Mostly I'm posting images of building of craftsmanship in wood and stone and metal that are impressive. Even more so when you realize that some of them were done a thousand years ago.

If you notice that the construction looks new, it is because in some cases it is. There was a devastating earth quake in 2015 in Nepal and there are piles of rubble, buildings that are being held up until they can rebuild them, buildings that held up well, and buildings that have been (or are being) rebuilt.   

All around the city of  Bhaktapur ~ which is roughly an hours taxi ride east of Kathmandu ~ there are wells, ponds, and bathing areas built hundreds of years ago of which there are several photos and which people still use on a daily basis. Some of these watering areas are elaborate and were build for royalty, the others are more functional although well constructed.  

I did photograph a few people but that feels intrusive to me so I don't do it much. 

There will be a short photo tour of a factory that produces paper, wood carvings, metal and cuts which are printed as books (this, primarily for the interest of Sam & Katah who print and make books and me, who found this operation fascinating ), and friends of my guide, Amit, and a festival in the streets of Bhaktapur in Changu Narayan. 

You will also find the odd and end construction photo as I wander the city: sorry, I can't seem to help it. 

Traffic remains a fascination for me, it is shockingly chaotic, dirty, and loud. Large trucks and buses spew clouds of black fumes while tens-of-thousands of motor bikes fill every open space on the road, like sand particles filling space between rocks. Yesterday, Sept 8th I was walking in a market area on a narrow street, many pedestrians, cars, motorbikes, and rickshaws wending along, when a motorbike came by, blaring his horn, driving easily at 35 miles per hour. No one seemed to notice. I on the other hand thought it was perfectly reasonable to knock the fool off his bike at speed and beat him senseless(er). (no Harvey, I did not do it) 

We will get some of the construction and miscellaneous photos out of the way first.  

Five story bamboo scaffolding and  details about how they are tied with rope following. 

Hey Bishal, which line did you say was down?

This is housing for people who lost their homes in the 2015 earth quake.
Amit tells me they are still being lived in. 

You know, stacked bricks ready to use; who can resist a photo of that. 

A new home, likely replacing one that was destroyed in the earth quake.
The few of these that I have seen are well constructed with
quality design, materials, and workmanship.  

Just kind of cool. It reminds me of
medieval buildings in Europe.  

A traditional Kathmandu home.

Like piled bricks, I can't resist a good doorway. 

A sweet women allowed me to photograph a few of her items
that I liked but could not buy because I would have had to carry them. 

This cutey is made up for the festival that is going on. 

That is a lot of rebar in a pretty small column and it is well spaced.
Also notice the pattern of the ridges on the rebar, much more
complex than what we get in the states. 

This is a well done post of the life of Buddha starting from the upper left with his birth,
childhood, search, enlightenment, teaching, and death.  

A bit confusing because this excavation is along side an already rebuilt temple,
so why are they digging up what looks to be a sound foundation?
Admit, you want to know too.  

This kid looks like a serious monk to be. 

This post is long enough. More to come soon. Thanks to the folks who have written to let me know they are getting these. It is hard to figure out sometimes if I'm talking to myself. Every kindness, Mark