Monkey Temple, Kathmandu

Walked to the Monkey Temple on a fine morning here. The way took me alongside the river and was looking forward to it until I saw that it was used completely as a landfill area. Garbage, trash of all kinds, burning, animals rooting in the mess and people trying to salvage what they could out of it. The owner of the hotel here said that when he was a boy he was able to swim in that river but the population of the city increased so swiftly and life here is so hard that there is just no way of controlling the filth.

The pictures of the temple show the many steps up. Have to admit I rested a few times on the way. Monkeys are running all around the place and the usual temple dogs are lying all around.

This is the last few words from Nepal as have only one day left here. With all its problems the main memory for me will be the very nice people here. It is a very dynamic city, full of colour and overrun with traffic. One feels that there is just no room for pedestrians at many times of the day. The rickshaws, motor bikes, cars, taxis and bicycles have to swerve and brake constantly. They must be great drivers. Although there is dust and dirt everywhere and one walks through soil and debris the woman in their saris and Tibethan dress look beautiful with rugs or schawls thrown around their shoulders instead of coats in the chilly mornings and nights. It is sad to see how many woman are laden down with huge baskets on their backs assisted by a band around their head. They carry loads that would be a lot for a beast of burden. I watched a man loading concrete slabs in to one and then the woman staggered up a steep path followed by many others. Still the man in front of me today was singing as he walked and also a young boy near me yesterday. Even with all the aid poured in to Nepal the money does not seem to reach the people.

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