Written by Samantha and Kilani’s group members
After an early courtyard yoga session, our group set out from the guest house to explore solo for the first time. We were on a scavenger hunt, with a list of things to find and not much else to guide us through Kathmandu. The list led us through the surrounding neighborhood of Boudha, centered around the Boudhanath Stupa, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site and the abode of Kathmandu’s pigeon population.
We met multiple thangka painters and scrutinized the rates at money exchange offices, and Belen bought a dorje, a protection talisman in the shape of a thunderbolt. Taking a bit of a break, our group stopped for tea at a cafe with an extremely low-clearance bathroom. After tea, we rolled over to a rooftop restaurant for lunch, with an incredible view of the great white stupa, all of its prayer flags waving in the wind.
On the way back, we wandered past fruit stands, where Parker got guavas, apricots, and a type of Nepali orange (luckily in season) called suntala. We also made a stop at a clothing stop, where CJ bought a pair of pants. We didn’t find everything on the list, but got a great taste of the city.