Touring temples in Kathmandu

Forgive my not remembering the names of all the sights, its late and i dont want to disturb any one. Tomorrow we wake up at 5:30 for a 6 hour bus ride to the beginning of our trail. We then hike 4-5 hours and end up at our first village where we will have a celebration with the locals. Im excited about this trip. its put together by locals and Dr. T who support eco-tourism. We learned about the organization that is responsible for building and bringing health care, education, development tools and cultural enrichment to over 1000 villages! I still have allot to work out what exactly they do but Im looking into volunteering at a school for 3-6 months maybe after thailand if i can figure out the travle situation..

SO today we visited three hold sights. The first was one of the more famous shiva temples in Nepal and also a old empire of sorts, with a palace and other gold stuff. We got to see an art school that does traditional Nepal art which, names escapes me, that tells the stories of Buddha and the paths to enlightenment. It takes 12 years to become a master working for 7-10 hours 6 days a week. They use brushes that have one to five hairs in them and a master painting can take months to years! they were beautiful and i was ready for them to leave me there. During lunch we witnessed a rally for the return of Maoism (sp?) aka communism. It was so strange to see red flags with the hammer and sycle and people shouting. I suppose growing up in America there is no way i could be unbiased but i think we are taught to distrust and even hate communism. Im also reading a book on Soviet Russia which is very depressing and made me even more skeptical. ALso saw pottery making.

The second holy site was where thy cremate the bodies of the dead then throw the ash into the holy river which connects to the Ganges (SP? holy river in India) Pretty powerful yet a little strange to breath the "BBQ" as Dr T said of humans. The river is so dirty! I cant believe how much trash is thrown into a holy place! Its a matter of awarenessi suppose. ten years ago they threw banana peels and nothing happen so why is plastic different? they are not raised to think about next generation or health when its all they can do to survive today. The bodies are burned in order of caste system, the further up the river the higher caste you are. In 2008 ( i think..) one of the princes went crazy and shot 13 members of the royal family, his siters wife father everyone.. Many believe it was a conspiracy but its claimed he had unrequited love. They burned them all at once and was a huge day of morning for Nepal.

Next the largest Stupa in Nepal and maybe the world. a stupa is an upsidedown bowl shaped building thats solid inside with some decoration on the top. surrounded by prayer wheels its a Buddhist temple. I led Mayrav, the bind isralie women joining us for the trek, around a bit and got to experience through her different senses besides sight. She is so brave to be treking in the Mountains and traveling by herself I am so excited to see how our relationship develops and how she adds to the trek. Well im tried and how to pack, hopefully more info coming soon if i can find internet.

Next was

Chiang Mai, Thailand. Katmandu, Nepal

Had a wonderful last night in Cambodia, though got in a little trouble with the parents since I might have mentioned id be back by midnight and didnt return till 3 or so.. dad went out looking for me convinced that I had been stolen or raped. Really i was just hammered hanging out with British people.. Went back to Thailand the next day with a all too early wake up call. Arrived in chang Mai around 5 with my sister and her boyfriend, james, joining us. I was really glad to have some people my own age again, although couple vacations are always fun to be a 3rd wheel on. Christinas birthay, 17th Sy Patricks day, was the next day so we headed out to some "expensive" (by thai standards) spa about an hour out side of Chang Mai close to Chang May the next morning. Spent too very slow yet relaxing days there. Although the weather was the coldest thai people had ever seen. Rain rain rain, about 50 degrees i needed a sweater! Had a wonderful thia massage and relaxed watchin tv while the wind howled and rain poured. Christina and James took of the next day for Krabi (south thailand) to do some snorkleing while we enjoyed a break in the rain with a wonderful outdoor market that came to the spa. I met some really nice artists there and one let e sketch him. It felt so good getting back into drawing, I forgot how much i love portraits and used many bright colors. Ill try to get a picture of the drawing up soon. Headed back to Chang Mai the next day where I got my OWN ROOM at the guest house we were staying at, first time all trip and boy was i stoked to have my own space. There was a wonderful little bar that I stopped by because I knew it would be cheap. Its basically a little shack and I got some really great sketches of locals, everyone was so curious and encouraging! I was right about the cheap part, 45 bht ( a dollar 15 about) for a large beer (a 40 basically). Tourist places it can be as much as 80! and only bhat for rice whiskey which tasted like herbal tea but was very effective. There I met all sorts of awesome people. John has been teachin english for 12 years all around the world and has spent 4 of them in Thailand so he gave me all sorts of useful info on visas and programs i can get involved in if i wanted to stay a year or 2. My dad joined me for a few beers here every night and it was really awesome being able to bond with him, he enjoyed the company as well and i rarely see my dad drink so to chill with him was great without my moms every judging eyes. We went to the night market before the bar on the first evening and thats the cheapest place to buy stuff in all of thiland i think! I was able to resist though as I will be back in Chang Mai for at leat a month and need to save my money and space till the end of the trip. We went zip lining across the jungle the next day and met these wonderful girls from Holland, I was proud my parents came and had a good time at there age. 22 platforms and 54 zip lines we had a great time and wonderful guides who kept us entertained. I think Charlie liked me, he kept singing to me and making sure i would go with him at the end of the line. Thai guys are funny. The next day we rode eleplants, which was pretty amazing yet very slow. They are such amazing beasts who can be so gentle buti wonder why they take our crap with tusks that size! Road down the river on bamboo rafts next and had a swell time water fighting and goofing off, i got mom pretty wet! They were setting up for thai new year (april 15th) the Water Festival where everyone runs around with supersokers and buckets to drench each other and have a good time. Just dont open your mouth! after rafter we took a short walk to a small village where we got to see women weaving all sorts of beautiful scarves. Took them about three days yet sold them for 150 bhat (4.50us)! bought one and Im not sure if i can part with it to give as a gift or not. Headed back to Chiang Mai where i got my hair dyed a little and chilled with the homeboys. It was great, after the first day every one knew my name and i felt like i was in with the locals, so much more fun when they joke and tease you then being the annoying tourist.

Left for Bangkok early the next day where we stayed for a night met up with christina and james again then off to Kathmandu, spent the first half of the day shopping at the wonderful markets. I really like Nepal, so far everyone has been lovely and super nice, though could just be because im a cute smiling girl. They still try to sell you stuff but not as aggressively as thailand where i have had women physically restrain me before. They have every kind of northface knock of you could find and all sorts of beautiful clothing thats handmade of course! Held off buying the first day even though every shop i saw i wanted 10 things! I met a nice local boy yesterday who works at his uncles shop, Robin is his name and he took me to a small clothing factory where i saw the tiny sewing machines and the women at work. Such cute kids as well! I am going to stay for a week after the trek in a small village teaching english to orphan children and I am so excited! I love playing game with kids and they are so boggled by everything foreign like my piercings and blue eyes. Had an early night to catch up from Chang Mai but think I might go to a Ragee bar with Robin tonight. Already been offered hashish three times and might cave today. I have detoxed nicely where I get hungry and can almost sleep at night but i still miss a joint. I guess it grows wild in the Mountains so ill pick some and let it dry on my back pack. The rest of the trek group get in today and tomorrow and Im excited to meet everyone. Its all women except for Dor T, my dad and James but thats alright. Im a little worried about my physical condition but if my 67 yr old dad can do it so can I! Been having many dreams about the people at home and you are all in my heart and on my thoughts, sending you many blessings!

Oh and I looked into going to art school here and maybe teaching english, i would love to bunk up in a small village in the mountains for 6 months to a year. Dont expect me home in july!

Last night was pretty fun, went out with my tuk tuk driver and his friend to a local place. ended up paying for everything.. surprise but i learned some cambodian and was back by one. They were nice and creepy isnt the right word but theres something about westerns that can attract the wrong idea. Though they were both gentelmen there isnt much we could discuss besides the usual, language and culture and my hangover got in the way. Managed to get up by 7 and we were off to the temples! Saw the tomb raider temple, which means i have to see the movie now. Took a million pictures which ill have up when i get a computer that works. more temples all day. the highlight was the end of the day when we went to the floating market, i just like boats.. There were children in washtubs with boa constrictors that demanded a dollar if you looked at them. I swear if i hear one dollar one more time ill snap.. The lake is run by the Vietnamese which makes no sense becasue its in Cambodia, but they manage to pay off the police so no Cambodian can fish or own a boat without paying the Vietnamese. The people are not as nice as the cambodians and were less gracious. I dont know if its just because there out of there country but i have a feeling i would like it allot less then here. The internet cafe is closing..

Well its been a little bit..

Allot has happened and I will try to remember as best i can. The night I last posted was real fun, saw some live bands, got super drunk and danced all night. Somehoe made it back to the hotel at 4 in the morning.. WE journyed down to Krabi next, its a province in southern thailand where all the island and beaches are. Arrived at the hotel which was so remote it took an hour to get anywhere. I had a little bit of a hard time there being stuck with my parents and all, the beach wasn't crowded however though it wasn't white sand and crystal water. The first day I took a lobng walk and found so many shells! the long cylender spiral ones, and just when i was saying what fantastic earing they would make they started crawling around my hand.. Still carabs in them! Freaked me out and I didnt end up taking anywith me but Im sure there will be other chances to find shells. Took a couple hour kayak ride which i didnt wear sunscreen for,bad idea! I was in quite a bit of pain for the next few days.
The next day we took a day excursion to the town of Krabi where there are white beaches and fairly clear water, so crowded though! The shopping was great but i managed to not buy anything amazingly. Met this funny thai guy who wanted to take me out but he was just a littele creepy so i wasnt down.
WE arranged to take a speedboat tour the next day, ot to visit three island. The first has beach camping and Im interested in going back there with wade, though jungle camping is allot different! Snakes and noises i have no idea what animal would make. Then pff to phi phi island, which is one fo the most famous places of thailand, Paradise! too bad everyone else knew about it, the beaches were really crowded and Im glad we didnt stay there. These funny asian dudes all wanted to take a picture with me. Its happened a few times where someone will gesture with there camera and i think they want me to take a photo of them then they put there arms around me and throw up a peace sign, i think its the short haired white girl thing.. or maybe im just super hot and famous.. tee hee. Got to snorkel twice in some of the best snorkleing places in the world! clear beautiful water with all sorts of fishies. we fed them bread which was fun but also terrifying cause it turned into a crazy freenzy and then some of the larger ones would come and they have teeth.. Saw some really cute monkeys on the way back the road had about 50 of em just chillin, they were in power lines and running around. little baby monkeys!
The next day we went to emerald pool and hot springs. the pool was pretty and kind of cool but basically just a swiming pool with sand.. The hot springs were awesome though! this little creek with naturally made lounging chairs in the rocks and a 103 degree water! great for the skin though it hurt my sunburn at first. started the peeling process much faster and now i look like a lizard..
Now im in CAMBODIA! and i love it, i really would like to come back so wade if we have issues with the visa thing we can always take a week or so to go to Siam Reip and then go back to thailand. Yesterday was our first day here and I think i kinda blew it with the parental units.. Ciggretts are $.40 and alcohol is really cheap as well so i got HAMMERED last night.. WEnt to a buffet with traditional cambodian dancing which was beautiful then ditched the rents and hit up pub road.. The tuktuk driver sold me some of the shittest pot ill ever smoke for $15. I dont care though, totally worth it. As soon as the tuk tuk stopped these guys yelled hello at me and I gave an enthuastic WORD UP back. We became super great friends immediately and I ended up hanging out with all night. The three stooges we called out selves.. Got a couple o buckets of whisky and red bull to start then hit up the fish feet tanks. basically tanks of fish that you put your feet in and they eat all the dead skin, oh man did it tickle!I was freaking out the whole time and just squeezed johans hand. worth it though, my feet are smooth and gorgeous today! well except for the peeling.. I was dancing on tables all night and had a really fantastic time, though i didnt get back till around three or four and didnt have a key so i was banging on the hotel door. my memory isnt very clear of the event but im pretty sure dad was pissed.. Missed the 8:30 wake up call, surprise. Found life around 11:30 but I guess parents didnt really see fit to take me to angkor wat so i found a nice tuk tuk driver to. The sun was very difficult and I deff puked a little at the ruins.. But I still LOVED the temples, all these amazing carvings just pulsing with ancient bad ass energy. It was like being at machu pitchu (sp?) where I could just imagine the life style of the people that once lived and worshiped there. the heat go to me eventually and i headed back to the hotel for a nap. I liked being on my own allot, got to go my own pace and wasn't asking a million silly questions. On pub st again, though i dont think im going to be dancing on tables tonight Im gonna try to find the canadian boys and have a beer or four..

Been in Bangkok for two days now.. Please forgive my spelling and grammer, im a little drunk. arrived at 7in the morning yesterday after a long 20 hr flight, with complementry alcohol!!! I cant get over the fact i can walk into any bar and order a drink, gona be hard to go back to US 21+ bullsiht. In fact i may never return.. Im in shoppers paridise! anything i could ever want for half the price i could ever get in the US. went to the largest mall in SE asia and found a super cute rave slut gold swim suit and awesome pants, all for under 10 bucks each! I know i can find way better deals later on and dont have space to carry shit but couldnt resist just the same. If anyone wants cheap designer shit let me know and ill get you an awesome watch or gucchi bag and you can pay me back if its over 500 bhat ($15). Today we went on a tour through four temples and i saw about a gazzilion buddahas! One was a 5 1/2 ton solid GOLD statue with pearls and emeralds for the eyes.. He looked beautifully amused, like he knew everyone was adorning him yet he didnt give a shit and it was all a huge joke. Got a great sketch. We also saw the palace with the emerald buddah temple. the buddah itself was made of jade and fairly small, but the layers of gold, rubys, other statues, and sparkles left my mind totally boggled. the most beautifully crafted thing i have ever seen by far. people live so simply yet in such a foreign way i can bearly wrap my mind around what im expericeing.. Like today I took a motocycle taxi to the pier and road a boat to Koah Sang Rd. They call Bangkok the Vience of the east because of its cannals that run through the city. There just as nasty as Vience (prob more so..) and i sawkids swimming in it today! The class difference is so extreame its a trip. People live in shacks, yet there are hotels that are giant! Everyhting is so green and the language is beautiful but so difficult, i cant even remeber how to say hello. I met an awesome cue brit at Koh Sang today. we shared a few beers and then a bucket of whisky and red bull..Went to help him have a suit fitted, so cheap and i love picking out boys clothing.. Now Im at his hostle using the internet, am excited to see where the night brings me. Am told i can see girls shooting ping pong balls outta there pussies into shot glasses.. Pretty stoked, not gonna lie. Pictures of temples will be up as soon as i can figure out how to use this fukin technology. Wade: your gonna freak the fuck out when you see the random computer crap they have for sale in the most janky yet legit way possible. also, dont pack that much, youll wanne buy everything here. Going to a flea market or sorts tomorrow. hope i dont blow all my money immediately, already was acosted by every basket seller possible today. i swear they can smell a sucker...