Monkeying Around at the Monkey Temple

Again woken to horns and people just outside my window, but this time with and extremely dry mouth and a wicked hangover. I've decided that I have had enough of this guesthouse and I need to seek a quieter room. I moseyed my way over to Prakash who seemed absolutely fine considering how drunk he too was last night. He immediately found a new place for me and I was able to painlessly move on with my day.

It was about an hour walk to the monkey temple and along the way I saw some crazy things. First of all I was the only tourist walking so I didn't see one other traveler until I arrived. Along the way I stood on a bridge in awe, to see the water has been turned black and was filled with garbage. When I thought it wouldn't get worse than that, I turned around to see the river extended out of sight looking even more packed with trash. It was very upsetting to see how terribly out of hand their garbage problem is.

When I finally reached the monkey temple, I was greeted by Dollar Baba's, beggars, and 365 steps. Yes I counted. I hiked up while attempting avoid the monkeys which were everywhere! At the top is a very impressive view of the city which I was surprised to see when on for so long. I walked around the grounds and down to the back of the temple. While I was there I also got to witness the monks at prayer which was a very cool experience. Horns blare and drums are beaten to a fast tempo while symbols are smashed together. Aside from the monk ceremony, this site wasn't nearly as good as the last temple I saw because it was under construction and there were soooo many tourists.

When I got to the bottom of the temple I saw a crowd beginning to form at the base. It turns out a big fight broke out and I was able to get a prime spot to spectate. Shit was going down in Kathman-town! These two guys were throwing fists left and right and landing many of them too. Both took several blows tot he face. Each time the fight was broken up, one would walk a few feet away and then they would begin again. I got some absolutely amazing photos! At this point a really big crowd had gathered and I was getting nervous that a big fight to break out and I'd get stuck in the middle of it. Fortunately the police came just as others were getting involved and escorted the two contenders to jail.

Upon walking home, two Nepali women struck up conversation with me. The sisters, Puspa and Bindra, asked me if I would like to come to their place for tea. This all seemed very strange to me but I decided to go along with it anyhow. Before going back to their place we had to pick up Bindra's daughter at school. At the school all the girls dressed in uniforms spilled out all looking at me and laughing. This was all good fun and some of the other mothers came up to talk to me as well. I was in the cougar den! Once we got Aulsa, Bindra's daughter, we began walking deep into the city and I no longer had any idea where I was. Though I wasn't nervous at all. We stopped at a few temples along the way and finally made it to the house. It was a small house just meant for the two sisters, their husbands, and Aulsa. At the house we drank tea, ate some kind of bread/cake thing and played with my iPhone. They were fascinated with it! Puspa was begging me to let her keep it but I told her there is no possible way I would ever give up my iPhone. Sadly, it was getting late and I felt that I should leave.

They walked me to the main street where I was to get into a bus back to Thamel (Thamel is the name of the backpacker area). This bus system is absurd! Its basically a minivan that should only seat maybe 13 people in the back. By mid-ride we had 21! I had one guy pretty much straddling my left leg where I could easily feel his entire package, another guys armpit right in my face, and I was right by the entrance so the door was slamming in my face every time we would have to stop. Even while we were jammed like sardines in this van with absolutely no space, the guy who opens the door and collects the money kept yelling out what I could only assume was an offer for more people to join us. Absurd!

It was good to get back to Thamel and relax for tomorrow I begin my 4 day trek at 6am.