Nepal Nov. 2014

•Vodka billboard: "My Nepal-My Attitude" 

•Suicide knob on steering wheel 

•Cow dung 'shish ka bob' fire sticks 

•bright, glittery saris 

• Light colored sand in very wide dry river beds and is generally the land testifying that this was the sea.

•Campimg by a river that was very cold and wet in the night, also had a snake in the tent, my roommate took off to a bungalo. I should have joined her. 

•Kathmandu: one minute I was having a local dinner with ethnic dancing-next minute I was in hospital with a needle in my arm and a diaper on. Spent the next days in the hotel room, loving the bed and room service for white food. Gastrointinitis. My roommate was also doing poorly so, we stayed at the hotel, which was the best one we could have been infirmed in. We had to fly to Varanasi to meet up with the group. The bonus of it all was:  WE SAW THE HIMALAYES!

•In Chitwan National Park we had an elephant walk by our room. The Mahout had the elephant give us a - Namasti.

Darjeeling Nov. 2014

   Hot water Madam? Must push button outside the bathroom that says: Geezer

   The streets that are on an incline have stones imbedded in the asphalt for traction, works well. All laid by hand. 

    On the 'Toy Train' from Darjeeling to  Ghum saw a makeshift telescope made from two tubes and big binoculars. Clever, like MacGiver.  

    School children wait for the 'bus' with an adult in the side of the road. All in uniforms. 

     Tibetian refuge center with 11 families that have been there for a long time. Ladies weaving dense carpets. 

    Invited into a monestary to witness the children chanting and were served tea along with the little monks. 

     English breakfast at a 'bakery' with a Scotish name. We all bought some baked goods as well. 

     Visited tea plantation, photo is of tea flower and seed. Were treated to 5 second tea which is the tips of the plant, delicious. We bought some illicit tea as the workers were on strike, however the owner of the plantation made us the tea and sold it to us. Very naughty. And, delicious. 

     All roads were up. And with altitude. Yikes 

Kolkata, India Nov. 2014

    This city is a total assalt on all senses. Noisy, smelly, old, dirty, busy, colorful, friendly, grand buildings, photo manic, decaying splendor, tacky, insane traffic, yes-no-maybe-bobble heads, concentrated diversified neighborhoods in a small area, clever recycling, firery hot chilis, useless Internet.

   Street food is served in dishes made from fallen leaves formed into small bowls. 

    Masala chai served in disposable clay cups. 

   Fish in mustard sauce is the special dish of Kolkata:  delicious

   Mosaics in St. Paul's church like I have never seen, small rectangular semi precious stones creating images that look like painting. 

   Grand old cemetary for the English. 

    Worst jet lag ever.

Bhutan Nov. 2014

    I am on a huge truck named Daisy for a 10 hour drive on a narrow, bumpy, twisting mountain road above the clouds. Have had a flat tire and backed into a government car. It was so close behind us it could not be seen. He just drove away. 

     Chilies are a vegetable. Served in a cheese sauce. Also battered and deep fried.  Climate change has allowed  rice to grow, replacing buckwheat. 

   Streams are clear or glacial fed. Mountains are deeply forested.

 Rare Black Necked Cranes  migrate here frrom Tibet-OVER the Himalayes! 

     Women do not drive. None.

   National dress code is imperative at work. Gho is men's: big kimono style wrap  around tied tight around the waist, hiked over the knee and blousaned. Giving a nice pouch. Paired with knee high socks and brough style shoes. Kira is womens: wrap long sarong with short jacket.

   Archery is popular and good fun for all. 125 meters is the distance attempted with a bamboo bow. To me it looks like there is no aiming, just pulling and letting go. Jesting and dancing is the order of the game. 

   Tobacco is banned, progressive.