3rd day

Hi, have been in Kathmandu for several day now and have grown accustomed to the place. Still lots of noise and hassle but you come to accept it.

Spent the morning with Ramsharam in his office discussing the next few days in Sauraha. He has planned a elephant safari, plus a trip in a dugout canoe. He has really been great, such a nice guy. He cannot do enough for you and I would really recommend anyone visiting this part of the world to contact him to arrange all you need to do.
He is travelling to Sauraha on Weds 29th to visit his family for the festival, they will all be there when we arrive on Thursday.
He had some clients to see so I wandered off around town. As always in any country you get hassled, several guys wanted to show me their paintings, take me on a tour of Durbar Sq to celebrate the festival, etc,etc. Anything to hassle a rupee out of you. Mind you if you have nothing then you have to do it to survive I suppose. Of course I didn't go!!
Saw a really amazing sight during my walk. A group of guys, never women, were making an offering for the festival to the gods. It was of a lotus flower. They roped off a bit of the road in a busy junction and started to construct this lotus flower from dye, seeds and spices. They were really concentrating on the work, ensruing tht every thing was just so. They had basic tools, bowls for the circles they created, and carrier bags of rice and spices to complete the design.
The amazing thing about these people is that they can construct something from nothing in all aspects of their life.
I took a couple of photos and will return when it is finished.
Sue and Reggie arrived approx 4.30pm. She was keen to see if I was enjoying myself and that Kathhmandu was all I thought it would be.

They got settled in ,we had a coffee and made arrangements for the evening.
We went to a favourite Italian of Sue"s,called "La Dolce Vita". We had a table overlooking the street. It was really noisy due to the festival,but very entertaining!
Guys hanging out of windows, 3 storeys up to put up fairy lights! No H&S here!!!
All stores had a candle outside their shop. This also included a design made from red dye and flower and fruit to encourage the goddess Laxihmi into their shop. This will ensure good fortune for the next year. It was really colourful, incense burning everywhere and everybody wishing you "Good Diwalli". fireworks being let off everywhere.
Finally went to bed approx midnight, but due to noise and not being tired,read my book till the early hours.