Helo Dear Ones,   We practically feel like a part of the community having figured out where the best fruits and famous Bhaktapur curd {yogurt}  can be purchased. Walking through the market place has become a dailey ritual  for us; as the Nepali main course everywhere has worn us down to simply bored! Lentils and rice and a few mustard greens here and there, twice a day.....only milk tea for the breakfast fare....their diet in a nutshell!. Please pass the salad!
 
 We've come to know four of the most lovely folks here at the guest house. All in their early twentys and charming; sharing their personal lives, their trials and their hopes of improving their lives.They now sit to join us in conversation after they have served  us  on the roof top { mostly in the sun to warm up!} These kids think of Americans as Gods living  in a country similar to heaven compared to here. They all have cell phones , Niki tee shirts, fake new balance shoes,  and fast motorcycles but still are living in the middle ages in their minds and culture .WE have realized in such a big way that our thinking , no matter what the belief system; ALWAYS makes it SO!
 
 The political system here is a mess! So much going on ,can't tell who is corrupt and who isn't !...... so what else is new you might say? { we turned on the news surprised  to find out all the uprising in Katmandu jsut a few miles away.....we have been tucked away, out of the ruckas; totally untouched by the fuss! } Except for a  big big, deal 2 days ago; here in the huge square .... a rally of women speaking on behalf of all the women in Nepal. Women  have been goverened by their father, right down to whether or not she can visit a friend for dinner.Women are told what to do as long as they are living in the family household no matter what their age. Arranged marriages  still stand in the upper 90%, even if the women are bright and lucky enough to go university their destiny still awaits them per their family's early decision of the chosen husband! Mostly no way out for now!

Kathryn