Bhaktapur
The last few days in Kathmandu have gone by exceedingly fast. I can hardly believe I’m going to India in a few short hours. This trip, divided into three week segments is already partly over. And though I’m ready to move on to the next thing (well, mostly), I am sad to be leaving this amazing country. Following are photos of the last remaining sites in Kathmandu.

Durbar Square, Bhaktapur. To get here we took a local bus from Patan, since it was far enough that a cab would have been absurdly expensive. I had been feeling that my experience so far had felt a bit more superficial then normal, I imagine, due to the fact that I was just traveling, as opposed to working or volunteering. The simple act of taking public transport helped root me a bit more, and I really enjoyed the experience.

we came upon the sacrifice in Bhaktapur, not believing at first the goat head/ intestines were real. Then we saw the body, an interesting experience to be sure. Unfortunately, no idea what the ceremony was for.

To get out of the city we went for a day hike in Nagarkot. Though it’s known for the fantastic views of the Himalayas, it was clouded over the day we went, which was fine, given the number of mountains seen thus far. Mostly, it’s always fantastic just to get out of the dust and pollution clogged city.

Watch Tower at the end of the hike.

On my last day we went to Pahupatinath. I hadn’t intended to go originally, as it’s a site dedicated to cremation and felt a bit strange observing someone’s ceremony in which I wasn’t invited. But, it ended up being really interesting, and I’m glad I got to see it.

The Garden of Dreams in central Kathmandu, essentially a walled off oasis and excellent lunch spot.

For my last night, which corresponded with three other people’s last night we all went to K-Too, an admittedly touristy location, but the only one where you can get a steak (and a good one too), which is what they’re known for. So the eight of us celebrated the last night over steaks and Irish coffees (which are bizarrely included when you buy a steak). I couldn’t think of a better way to end my time in Nepal than surrounded by new friends, that hopefully, I’ll get to see again, somewhere on the road.

On to India!