From “Boudha – Where Life Evolves Around the Stupa”
Malas are traditionally used by Buddhists and Hindus (but now popular with meditators and others) to help focus on the sound or meaning of a mantra without having to count the number of repetitions. They come in a wide variety of colors and materials. Malas typically contain 108 beads plus a larger 109th “guru” bead. Recite the mantra once for each bead, moving the beads between your thumb and forefingeruntil you make your way around the strand and come to the guru bead. Then you turn the strand around and go again.
Tibetan ladies wear these beautiful rainbow-colored aprons, or pangden.
Thangkas are intricate paintings on cotton or silk that can take months to make. They may depict the Buddha or a Buddhist deity, like those shown above. Some tell a story (like the popular Life of the Buddha) or a teaching (like the Wheel of Life, one of my favorites) and others contain mandalas. Beautiful works of art in their own right, they have been used for centuries as teaching and meditation tools.
Every day, this lady sat by the main gate of the stupa selling peanuts,
These wrap-around dresses are called chuba and are worn by married Tibetan ladies.
Tibetan ladies wear these beautiful rainbow-colored aprons, or pangden.
Often you’ll find big pots of incense like this standing at the door of a temple or monastery. You inhale the lovely scent, then use your hands to move the smoke up over your face and head. It’s nice!
From “Down-Time in Pokhara”
A new hotel was going up next door to my guesthouse. Unbelievably, all of the excavation work was being done by hand and the work crew was primarily made up of women.
This trio of water buffalo walked down the middle of main street at the same time every day. I assume they were heading to the lake for some R&R after a long day of plowing.
Cow watching is always entertaining. After peeing all over the sidewalk, this cow waited patiently in line for some juice at the juice shop.
Parasailing was kind of fun though, as an old skydiver, would have much preferred throwing myself out of a moving airplane rather than having to run off the side of a cliff.
There’s something so peaceful about a blue and yellow sunset.
The locals, as well as vacationing Nepalis enjoyed spending time on the lake too, as bodies of water this size are unusual in Nepal.
The yellow walls in the yoga room of Ganden Yiga Chozen were covered with beautiful THANGKA paintings, and big windows looked out onto the lake.
From “Bhaktapur – Stepping Back in Time”
This carving was on a center door panel.
Shot down an alleyway in Bhaktapur.
This is the view from atop Nepal’s tallest temple, Nyatapola Temple.
The temple caretaker peers outside the gate, before welcoming me inside.
These fellows were hearty singers and the temple square rang with sounds of their music.
Heritage art is still being created in Nepal. This lovely painter was visiting a museum in Chengdu Narayan, a town near Bhaktapur. She was painting the floors and walls with art from her village.
I first saw people using trump lines in Guatemala, but Nepal is the first Asian country where I’ve seen them used.
This little gal was playing with her baby doll on the steps of her mother’s shop.
One of many “pumping water” shots I took in Nepal.
Street art – no matter how old the city, you still seem to find it.
Nepal has a large Tibetan population – this lady’s heritage shows both from the style of her clothing and her beautiful cheekbones.
The roof supports of this temple were amazing. A nearby temple had intricately carved supports too but, on closer examination, I realized the figures were engaged in kama sutra practice and decided to omit them from this blog!
The “rooftop ladies” — what beautiful smiles.
This old gentleman, who sported a jaunty blossom in the folds of his hat, helped her get a finger full of red paste to put on the god.
A great big pot of mono cooking in a steamer set out in the street.
Vendor who seems to be sleeping on the job.
Many of the intricate wood carvings are painted, like this one.
This man might have been what they call a “photo sadhu” (who poses for photos, then asks for money).
This vendor seemed to be mesmerized by her customers, two very animated “modern” girls.
These two ladies were caretakers of Bhaktapur’s woodworking museum, a building that was so beautiful it took my breath away.
Pumping water is hard work, as you can tell from this woman’s expression.
People at home pay lots of money to get this whitewashed, distressed look.
The Peacock Window, famous for its quality, and part of Bhaktapur’s Woodcarving Museum
This piece of carved wood was over a doorway.
These guys were having a great time talking to their neighbors from their upstairs window.
These women were spinning thread and weaving at a local neighborhood gathering place.
They are quite photogenic, don’t you think?
These ladies were removing and scrubbing heritage tiles from the rooftop of a museum that is slowly being restored. They were happy to pose for photographs and went about their work without a hint of self-consciousness. My photos of them are among my favorites of this trip.
This woman is just beautiful and so are the carved wood pieces behind her – on a temple in Patan’s Durbar Square.
From “Passing Time in Patan”
This woman is just beautiful and so are the carved wood pieces behind her – on a temple in Patan’s Durbar Square.
Man relaxing on the steps of a temple in Patan’s Durbar Square.
Patan’s Durbar Square
Green Tara – isn’t she lovely?
Every temple seems to have one or more dogs. This fellow didn’t let the noise bother a good afternoon nap.
In every town, there are numerous “men’s clubs,” where the guys gather round to play cards and games or, more commonly, just to chat.
Durbar Square in Patan – I stayed just across the street.
A vision in red powder.
I love this statue!
You are probably looking at the graffiti on the wall, as I did when I first passed by this building. Notice, too, that the man sitting at its base is a woodcarver, working outside his shop.
View of Durbar Square from atop one of the temples.
Men on a wall, in Patan’s Durbar Square
Statues in the window of a shop.
This little tot was very happily running around one of the temples.
His mother was determined to put him on top of the elephant, though he was none to sure about it.
This little boy was under, over and on top of this big statue in Patan’s Durbar Square. Nobody gave him a second glance, though the statue was centuries old and on a World Heritage Site.
Golden tika.
Look at the bright colors and intricate detail on this temple.
There is so much detail in this beautiful statue.
Saffron and Silk 