Wow is this a crazy city! There are so many modes of transportation on the street at all times- cars, bicycles, pedestrians, minibuses, full buses, and so many animals! Every morning while walking to school I pass two (at least) very foreign things. The first is at the butcher's I witness, daily, the skinning and chopping of the daily dead goat. Nice. Second is the constant worship at the two shrines on my path to school. This is such a religiously rich city. So religious in fact that Jewish stars are the symbols of an educational institution. At first I was amazed at how many synagogues and yeshivas there were, then I realized it must stand for something else, we're not that big of a people!
The colors here are just as bright in Pharping, but covered in the thick layer of dust that constantly looms over everything. I had to buy a scarf to use for walking- I need to protect from the dust! My Nepali is coming along, but not fast enough. I try to speak as much as possible with my homestay family, but I am still not able to understand the rapid conversations. So far I have seen Pashupatinath which is the holiest Hindu place in Nepal. What a place! There were pyres right where we entered, and apparently they are always burning because most people in Nepal want to be cremated there. Then there are Sadhus (holy men, ascetics) everywhere smoking weed and chilling out. And also hundreds of monkeys- we were told they have the rabies! It was such an amazing complex- it is huge. I definitely want to go back and explore some more. There is so much to do and see in this city, but I am unfortunately limited by a curfew due to the fact I am a woman and instituted by my host father. I am for sure not used to this limited independence, but I am well aware that it is cultural and not personal.
Will post more later!
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