Bhaktapur is a small town outside of Kathmandu known for its Durbar Square. It's a world heritage site. I decided to be a local and flag down a bus from the road near the New Road Gate in Kathmandu. I knew i was looking for bus #7, the #7 in Nepali/Hindi looks like the # 6 lying down. But there were no numbers on the buses that were passing by just long words in Nepali. One bus stopped and the bus driver's assistant jumped out and said some stuff and then i caught the word "Bhaktapur"...and wouldn't you know it..that was my bus. I was the only foreigner on the small bus, standing holding on to the railings with the others. After half an hour one old lady tapped me on the shoulder as she got out of her seat and signaled for me to take her seat as she got off the bus.
The bus dropped me off near the northern part of the town. I made my way through the village and watched women washing their clothes at the stream. I got some great photos...which i promise to share with you later. The village was beautiful. What amazes me the most about these wonderful Nepalese people is that regardless of how poor they are, how bad their political problems are with the Maoists, and their lack of opportunities...they go about their daily lives happy with what they have. Their lives center around their family, and yesterday was "Brother & Sister Day" (i think today is the last day of this never ending festival)so kids were playing on the streets.
On the local bus back to kathmandu I noticed that the little girl standing in front of me was staring at me. I guess as much as i'm fasinated by then they are of me because we look so different. So she started talking to me...she told me she's 12 years old...has 1 brother, 1 sister, a mom but no dad. She asked me about my family and when i told her that they're all back home in Boston I think she felt that I should spend "brother & sister day" with her family so she invited me to her house.
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