Life in Kathmandu – Part I

warning : image heavy post

I have been waking up to this view for the past four days here in Kathmandu. There are houses, a lot of houses everywhere in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Something I never noticed before – most houses have solar panels and water tanks on their roofs.

I have been busy attending three wedding events in past four days.

The bride and I have been friends since 7th grade. Nepali brides generally are covered in the color red and wear gold jewellery from head to toe.

Grooms wear a traditional Nepali outfit and hat made of fabric called a Dhaka. The glittery garland is handmade with grass called Dubo (not sure what it is called in English).

Nepali weddings are LONG… like 5+ hours long. I don’t know all the rituals very well but this is one of the main important ones called Kanyadan where parents give their daughter’s hand to the groom. The bride’s family rinse the bride’s and the groom’s feet & hands, bless them, and sprinkle water on their head and take a little sip as that water is considered very holy (something I never understood).

Bride’s sisters and female relatives steals groom’s shoes as soon as he removes it and he only gets it back at the end of the wedding in return for money.

Another important part of the wedding: groom puts a green and red glass bead necklace on the bride. This signifies they are married (I think). This is actually only half the wedding; I had to leave early because I had another wedding reception to attend.

Traditional Nepali Bridal Wear

Since the electricity situation in Kathmandu is always on the fritz (ergo, no electrical devices i.e. Hair Dryer/Straightener!!), I had no choice but to throw my hair into a sock bun and call it a day.

at a cousin’s reception

I have not had a chance to eat anything else but typical Southeastern Asian wedding food – buffet style.

Now lets get to the frustrating part – the overcrowded city, nonstop honking, and construction/dust/dirt everywhere. Also, expect at least an 1-1.5 hour delay to everything, anywhere.

Besides all that chaos, it’s nice to spend time at home and relax. My parents have a piggy bank for each one of us- it says “Daughter Dixya” in Nepali.It’s handmade with clay.

Nepali Currency lined up and ready to be counted, shopped, and spent

Enjoying pretty flowers in my parent’s backyard

This is all for today friends. Expect some food pictures on my next post.

So what do you all think of Kathmandu so far?