Alex and Rory: Nepal-Kathmandu Part 2

So... where was I- the hotel in Kathmandu was called Hotel Tibet- very charming place- i actually meant to take pictures of the hotel because I loved how the place was decorated and painted- with decorated beams etc etc - not the newest hotel but there was hot water, internet, restaurant with good food decent laundry etc etc. We stayed there a couple of nights at the beginning, one night in the middle and again at the end of the trip. We were in nepal for 12 days and stayed in the Kathmandu valley- transportation and hotels were arranged, we had some guided tours but lots of free time/down time.

I have to put in a plug for the tour agency/group that made our arrangements because we were well taken care of- The group in Nepal was Social Tours partnered with The Blue Yonder in India (the group we booked with). I would work with them again- especially since they have a lot of flexibility about the kids of trips they arrange!

rory in her new Nepalese skirt that she insisted on putting on at the store

Great outdoor dining space at Hotel Tibet with a giant mural that Alex and Rory loved to look at...

Kathmandu Durbar Square AKA Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square- the square of the old palace- a world heritage site. Old palace, many temples...

Degutalle Temple

We were really intrigued by the Temple of the Living Goddess- an active temple which actually hosues the living goddess. The living goddess is a girl who is identified when she is about 1-1.5 yrs and has to undergo a series of "tests" or character assessments etc around the age of 3- when during a big ceremony she has to demonstrate no fear as she walks through a line of dead animals/guts etc, walking on top of hot coals and that sort of thing. Afterwards with pomp and circumstance she becomes the next living goddess and leaved her family to live at the temple with attendents/tutors etc. Visited for blessings and comes out in full regalia for ceremonies but otherwise, does not play with other kdis, does not run and shout as it is not befitting a goddess. This ends when she hits puberty (oh yeah- she can't bleed at all) when she returns to her family and resumes a "normal" life and a new living goddess takes over.
Temple of the Living Goddess