NOW NEPAL

My last stop on the tour - Kathmandu.

I loved many things about this city…

But it was such a contrast…

Between the clean metropolis of Bangkok…

And the pristine countryside of Bhutan.

Kathmandu is congested…

And not just with people…

But plastic trash everywhere…

Including the main river which was mostly stagnant.

Funeral pyres are a frequent occurrence...

And although I didn't see any...
I did experience one in a different way.
One afternoon...
I was hungry and at some point said...
"Mmm, something smells good."
My tour buddies cracked up...

"Leigh! That's a burning body you're smelling."
Lord!
I had to contemplate on that for awhile.

Of course Kathmandu has many temples....
But unlike the gilded temples of Bangkok…

And the modest, but still ornate temples of Bhutan…

Nepal’s temples seemed worn out and overrun...

And not just by humans…

But often pigeons and in many cases, monkeys.

While I wasn't wowed by the city of Kathmandu…

I found the people to be the most fascinating. 

As if they were characters out of an exotic novel...

And then there was this cutie...

Who I couldn't resist holding.

Also awesome in Kathmandu - the markets...

The best shopping on the tour!

And c'mon!

No matter where a girl goes...

A girl's gotta shop...

Where a girl needs to shop! 

Tomorrow...

Some random shots along the way.

Always, Em-Musing

BANGING OUT BANGKOK

Phew! 
I’m back…
Jet lagged…
A bit sick (actually major) from something or other.
But all in all?
The trip of a lifetime!
I’ll sum up each city this week the best I can.
Bangkok….
Beautiful new city…
Beautiful old city…
Loved the open night markets...
a.k.a. red light districts…
Such as Patpong and, Soi Cowboy,
What?
I’m a writer. It’s research! I had to see for myself.
And actually...
Those districts, at best, seemed silly to me...
Or at least, pathetic.
But the new riverside market, Asiatique?
Awesome!
Also awesome, the food in Bangkok…
And the people.
And of course the unbelievably gorgeous temples.
I only spent a day and a half in Bangkok…
But it was enough to make me fall in love...
And I would definitely go back.  
Here’re a few photos… 

Me at the Asiatique riverside market

Getting around by boat

Getting around in a tuk tuk

Just one of many temples at the Grand Palace

World's largest reclining Buddha

Just one of many Buddhas

At the Grand Palace, don't know what these are called

Me pooped after a long day, hence no smile

Well, that's all for today...

Obviously there are more photos...

But these are my impressions of Bangkok.

Always, Em-Musing

LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO INSIGHT

Guten tag….

Sawasdee Ka

Kuzu Zampo…

Namaste

I’m staring today’s post…

With greetings from Bangkok, Bhutan, Nepal…

And Germany.

Why?

Because I’m going on a journey…

A spiritual journey…

And these are the countries I’ll be visiting.

To say I’m excited is a huge understatement…

I’m off the wall excited.

Life has been strange for me this past year…

Who would have ever thought…

I’d be living now by myself in Mexico?

But I’ve always felt that Mexico…

Was the beginning of my path on my spiritual journey…

And when my friend Donna invited me on her tour…

These faraway places called to my soul.

I’ll be spending most of my time in Bhutan…

Visiting monasteries and attending festivals.

And this is what Bhutan’s philosophy is:

The wise and farsighted King of Bhutan has introduced this philosophy of gross national happiness. According to this philosophy, the progress and development is measured in terms of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than the gross domestic product (GDP).

Can anyone not find happiness with this already?

I won’t be posting again until the end of November.

I can’t wait to see what this trip does to my muse.

Bye for now…

Auf Wiedersehen 

la kxn

Kuzu Zampo…

Namaste

And of course, adios.

Always, Em-Musing