Pokhara, a bit of shopping

Nepal Adventure - Pokhara

I awoke to the dawn birds chirping away.

And then rolled over and went back to sleep. 

Two hours later I finally got up. It feels good to be back in our western comfort zone. And the simple things like a hot shower and a mattress feel so luxurious.

With nothing planned for the day we end up walking into town for a bit of shopping and browsing. There isn't too much we want here, but with the prices being so low it's fun to buy a few silly things. A skirt for Juliet, yak fur blankets for the girls, some t-shirts, a couple singing bowls. I braved one of the many barber shops for a head and shoulder massage, while Randall got himself a shaved head and face.

Traffic Jam, downtown Pokhara

Downtown Pokhara, life goes on as usual, despite the western tourists everywhere

Overall Pokhara is a backpackers stopover with all the expected bars, funny smoking devices and cheep goods shops. There are a few beggars here, professionals who have come over the border from India, who mar the scene with their vulgarity. It is quite noticeable when you see them and it makes you realise that, as chaotic as Nepal can seem sometimes, you really don't see the grinding poverty and begging that can be found elsewhere.

At least they are recycling - but it really makes you stop and think about the wastefulness of plastic bottles. We carried water purifying drops to avoid contributing to this situation. Sometimes I wonder if the earth won't someday drown in plastic?

As one of the stops on the "hippy" trail you can imagine the vibe of Pokhara. Don't get me wrong, it is not repulsive, on the contrary.... But it is certainly not authentic Nepal. But maybe the reality of what Nepal must become? The Nepali people who live here don't seem to mind the western influences. They have their competing shops selling north-fake jackets and eat their dal baht while tourists stroll the streets. Nepal was part of the Silk Trail and the people have learned to be good traders, whatever the current needs and wants might be.

barber shop selfie...

Juliet buys a Nepali skirt

having pants made from hemp material

While we enjoy our little retail journey into Pokhara it doesn't take long for us to beat a trail back to the hotel and the pool. The pool feels good in the afternoon heat and reinvigorates our sore hiking muscles.

Later we brave the streets again for dinner back in town and Mother Nature delights us with another all consuming lighting storm. This time we make it back to the hotel before the deluge and spend the rest of the night watching Bollywood TV... Was it really only two nights ago that we were sleeping in a mud floored tea house?

Namaste