I guess it was something religious. It always is.
9/16/2013
Fish
Ran in to this little fish with money in his mouth, sitting on a nicely made throne.
I guess it was something religious. It always is.
I guess it was something religious. It always is.
Moustache
Nicholas went to the barber today and when I came 20 minutes later he had a nice 70's moustache.
I laught so I had problems standing up, but both the two barbers, in the little street parlour, had exactly the same design under their noses so I don't think they understood what was so hilarious.
I laught so I had problems standing up, but both the two barbers, in the little street parlour, had exactly the same design under their noses so I don't think they understood what was so hilarious.
9/15/2013
Sai Baba
Yesterday our landlords, their family and friends were singing to Sai Baba's honor.
Watch one song here.
Watch one song here.
Heaven
When I die I want to end up close to a free buffet. I love food and desserts made with love are to die for.
Nicholas and Leya are enjoying the food.
I'm also eager to get started.
Is this heaven or what?
Swimming in the hotel pool was included in the buffet.
A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Nicholas and Leya are enjoying the food.
A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Sunday brunch
Now we are off to have Sunday brunch at nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel.
This is luxury beyond belief, but sometimes you have to treat yourself.
This is luxury beyond belief, but sometimes you have to treat yourself.
9/14/2013
Birthday party ... again
Last week we celebrated our landlord's 50:th birthday, but today is his real birthday according to the lunisolar calendar lived by here in Nepal.
Mixing our calendar with the Nepalese is very difficult for us since it starts in the middle of our months.
You would think this lunar calendar should fade away now in modern times, but oh no. Everyone uses this calendar.
I must admit I've been a little bit lazy and not integrated this calendar in our life.
Read more about it here.
At first I thought they were celebrating the late Sai Baba since the whole house was full of people, singing in front of a big Sai Baba picture.
Leya had a great time playing with her friends.
Mixing our calendar with the Nepalese is very difficult for us since it starts in the middle of our months.
You would think this lunar calendar should fade away now in modern times, but oh no. Everyone uses this calendar.
I must admit I've been a little bit lazy and not integrated this calendar in our life.
Read more about it here.
At first I thought they were celebrating the late Sai Baba since the whole house was full of people, singing in front of a big Sai Baba picture.
Tea and incense shop
My little brother, or bhai as we say in Nepali, is opening a tea and incense shop and to give good luck in business we went there and bought a packet of tea bags.
9/13/2013
Surprise photo
This surprise photo of me celebrating Teej in a sari that, after a few hours, felt as it was hanging down my knees, appeared on Facebook.
Apparently it was a Facebook friend taking the photo. I had no idea. Normally Nepalese people are OK and not chasing us to take photos, like the Indians, but Teej was an exception.
I always let people take my photo. If it makes them happy, I'm happy.
I remember this photo moment. Eva was talking to her mother on the phone and Leya was angry about all people taking photos..
Apparently it was a Facebook friend taking the photo. I had no idea. Normally Nepalese people are OK and not chasing us to take photos, like the Indians, but Teej was an exception.
I always let people take my photo. If it makes them happy, I'm happy.
I remember this photo moment. Eva was talking to her mother on the phone and Leya was angry about all people taking photos..
Fight
Yesterday Angel was in a huge fight with the neighbor dog.
He never use to be in the street, but yesterday they met face to face and this fight has been building up for weeks.
It took minutes, that felt like hours, water buckets, a water hose, a cricket bat, a big plank, at least 10 people involved in the action and at least 10 people looking, to separate them. Talk about hate.
Angel was in complete shock after and today her paw is double size after deep cuts.
Nicholas had to carry her out to pee and I have to call the vet for antibiotics.
This is life when you have a fighter in the family.
He never use to be in the street, but yesterday they met face to face and this fight has been building up for weeks.
It took minutes, that felt like hours, water buckets, a water hose, a cricket bat, a big plank, at least 10 people involved in the action and at least 10 people looking, to separate them. Talk about hate.
Angel was in complete shock after and today her paw is double size after deep cuts.
Nicholas had to carry her out to pee and I have to call the vet for antibiotics.
This is life when you have a fighter in the family.
Business cards
Leya and I are having a great time block printing business cards.
Personal, cheap and fun!
Personal, cheap and fun!
9/12/2013
Strike
Today we have petrol strike. That means no one is allowed to drive until tonight.
Leya is home from school even though we live so close. The problem is that the teachers come by bus, so they can't get here.
I understand why they strike for the petrol prices. The price is almost the same as in Europe and with this economy it's very expensive, but they will not accomplish anything by striking just for one day.
These strikes are the reason why the kids go to school for 6 days a week. I hope the political situation will get better, but before it gets better it will get worse.
In November it's suppose to be an election, so there will be lots of strikes the coming months.
Leya is home from school even though we live so close. The problem is that the teachers come by bus, so they can't get here.
I understand why they strike for the petrol prices. The price is almost the same as in Europe and with this economy it's very expensive, but they will not accomplish anything by striking just for one day.
These strikes are the reason why the kids go to school for 6 days a week. I hope the political situation will get better, but before it gets better it will get worse.
In November it's suppose to be an election, so there will be lots of strikes the coming months.
9/11/2013
Jeans
It's a little bit tricky for Nicholas to buy jeans here. Since he is 192 cm (6,3) and the avarage lenght for men is about 170 cm (5,5).
But the good thing about living in a country like this is that it's easy and cheap to go to a tailor and have a pair, or two, made for you. Unless you are very lazy or forgetful like my dear husband.
Yesterday we just happened to pass a small clothes shop and Nicholas noticed that the jeans on the mannequin looked long enough for him.
He ended up with two pairs and that was about time.
But the good thing about living in a country like this is that it's easy and cheap to go to a tailor and have a pair, or two, made for you. Unless you are very lazy or forgetful like my dear husband.
Yesterday we just happened to pass a small clothes shop and Nicholas noticed that the jeans on the mannequin looked long enough for him.
He ended up with two pairs and that was about time.
9/10/2013
Hoopoe
This little cutie was having a snack right outside my "office"/our bedroom window in the neighbor's garden.
Read more about it.
By the way. We may not have a mountain view, but I love to sit at my little desk and work, looking out in to this beautiful garden.
Read more about it.
By the way. We may not have a mountain view, but I love to sit at my little desk and work, looking out in to this beautiful garden.
9/09/2013
Counter clips
A few weeks ago I got a message from Simon in UK who needed counter clips for their Buddhist retreat in France.
I'm so lucky to live close to Boudhanath where you can find all this things.
Since I've never heard about counter clips before, it was an adventure finding them. But as soon as I found one shop selling them I saw them everywhere. That's how life works, right?
Simon sent a link from the retreat.
Click here to read all about it.
You use the counter clip when you do the praying mantras with your mala, a beaded necklace with 108 beads.
We sell all kinds of malas, if you are interested.
Click here to see our selection.
I'm so lucky to live close to Boudhanath where you can find all this things.
Since I've never heard about counter clips before, it was an adventure finding them. But as soon as I found one shop selling them I saw them everywhere. That's how life works, right?
Simon sent a link from the retreat.
Click here to read all about it.
You use the counter clip when you do the praying mantras with your mala, a beaded necklace with 108 beads.
We sell all kinds of malas, if you are interested.
Click here to see our selection.
9/08/2013
Teej celebrations
Today was a long day, so I will leave all the photos for another day.
Instead I've recorded three short films, to show our celebrations at Pashupatinath.
Film No. 1:
We walked pass the long, long line of women and paid a visit to the officer in charge with whom I sat down and had a chat about how silly it was that Leya and I weren't allowed inside the temple.
Then we sat outside the temple and watched all the women coming out. We tried to call Eva's mother, but the mobile phone reception came and went from one minute to next.
When we sat there hoping to catch them in the crowd, Eva was so tired I think she was sleeping with open eyes.
See the film here.
Film No. 2:
First we saw two small bull calfs walking across the temple square and then we saw this one laying in the middle of the stream of women.
They touched him to get blessed and gave him snacks that he happily eat. After a few minutes he got fed up and left.
See the film here.
Film No. 3:
When we were going to leave I saw that a lot of people were gathered around something that looked like an old wel.
Curious as I am I just had to look down and there were two disabled guys selling blessings. I must say they were popular.
In the film you can see how they pour milk and water over a phallic symbol. That is a way of giving puja (a religious ritual) to Lord Shiva, who is the real reason why women celebrate this festival. Next to their husbands that is.
See the film here.
Instead I've recorded three short films, to show our celebrations at Pashupatinath.
Film No. 1:
We walked pass the long, long line of women and paid a visit to the officer in charge with whom I sat down and had a chat about how silly it was that Leya and I weren't allowed inside the temple.
Then we sat outside the temple and watched all the women coming out. We tried to call Eva's mother, but the mobile phone reception came and went from one minute to next.
When we sat there hoping to catch them in the crowd, Eva was so tired I think she was sleeping with open eyes.
See the film here.
Film No. 2:
First we saw two small bull calfs walking across the temple square and then we saw this one laying in the middle of the stream of women.
They touched him to get blessed and gave him snacks that he happily eat. After a few minutes he got fed up and left.
See the film here.
Film No. 3:
When we were going to leave I saw that a lot of people were gathered around something that looked like an old wel.
Curious as I am I just had to look down and there were two disabled guys selling blessings. I must say they were popular.
In the film you can see how they pour milk and water over a phallic symbol. That is a way of giving puja (a religious ritual) to Lord Shiva, who is the real reason why women celebrate this festival. Next to their husbands that is.
See the film here.
9/07/2013
Teej festival
Tomorrow it's the women festival Teej. Read more about it here.
You can also read about Leya's and my last year's celebrations here.
Today I started thinking. The women dress up once a year in their wedding sari.
Imagine the variaty of dresses you would see in a Christian country if the women dressed up in their wedding gowns.
My mom, for example, would walk down the street in a light blue, polyester, thigh short dress. When she got married in -73 she was young and a little bit thinner.
My wedding dress wouldn't be that far off in this part of the world. It was a marron, shiny, two part dress, but it wouldn't fit nowadays. A sari is better over years since the size is flexible.
Imagine how many wedding gowns that are just hanging in wardrobs all over the world, longing to come out. Just for one day.
I will take photos and let you know how it was. Of course I will try to get in to the temple at Pashupatinath this year too, but I don't have any illusions that I will succeed.
You can also read about Leya's and my last year's celebrations here.
Today I started thinking. The women dress up once a year in their wedding sari.
Imagine the variaty of dresses you would see in a Christian country if the women dressed up in their wedding gowns.
My mom, for example, would walk down the street in a light blue, polyester, thigh short dress. When she got married in -73 she was young and a little bit thinner.
My wedding dress wouldn't be that far off in this part of the world. It was a marron, shiny, two part dress, but it wouldn't fit nowadays. A sari is better over years since the size is flexible.
Imagine how many wedding gowns that are just hanging in wardrobs all over the world, longing to come out. Just for one day.
I will take photos and let you know how it was. Of course I will try to get in to the temple at Pashupatinath this year too, but I don't have any illusions that I will succeed.
9/05/2013
Finally!
Yesterday Nicholas gave up and said he would kill someone if he had to go back to the immigration office. He's not the killer type, but we all have a limit, right?
So yesterday I called the first lawyer since I realized a long time ago that he is the only one who could make this visa happen.
He met me today and for 2,5 hours we walked from office to office over three floors, but we got the visa and we could never have done it without him.
I don't know if you have the saying "crawl to the cross" in English, but in Sweden it means that you, for example, call someone who you think was wrong, but you have no other solution. That was what I did yesterday when I called the lawyer.
From the beginning he wanted a lot of money and that made Nicholas furious, so he refused to contact him even though I've tried to convince Nicholas for weeks that he and only he could help us.
He is the chairman of the tourism board, he is tall and always dressed in a suit. He has authority written all over him.
The first office employee said that we needed a label "something" approval, but the lawyer told him loud and clear that there was no such a document. We could never have told him that and never in that tone, then we could kiss our visa good bye forever.
Even the Nepalese have lots of problems with the immigration. Many children are born in other countries like USA and UK. Since it's not possible for a Nepalese to have double citizenship they of course chose to keep the foreign citizenship for their kids.
Just like when you go to the doctor everyone is in the same room listening to everyone else's problems.
At one time an employee and a father, arguing for his daughter's visa, had a loud discussion and soon our lawyer and the rest of the applicants were involved. I sat in a comfy chair so I could witness the madness, understanding about every 10:th word. The body language was crystal clear.
The employee showed with his eyes, head and hands that it was nothing more to discuss, but the father never gave up. For 20 minutes they kept on, but when they finished there were no hard feelings and even the employee smiled.
I could never ever see this scene happen in Sweden. You just don't raise your voice like this if you are working with people.
Now we are giving ourselves one month break before we get started for next visa. Now we know that nothing is easy, even though we should know this simple fact by now.
So yesterday I called the first lawyer since I realized a long time ago that he is the only one who could make this visa happen.
He met me today and for 2,5 hours we walked from office to office over three floors, but we got the visa and we could never have done it without him.
I don't know if you have the saying "crawl to the cross" in English, but in Sweden it means that you, for example, call someone who you think was wrong, but you have no other solution. That was what I did yesterday when I called the lawyer.
From the beginning he wanted a lot of money and that made Nicholas furious, so he refused to contact him even though I've tried to convince Nicholas for weeks that he and only he could help us.
He is the chairman of the tourism board, he is tall and always dressed in a suit. He has authority written all over him.
The first office employee said that we needed a label "something" approval, but the lawyer told him loud and clear that there was no such a document. We could never have told him that and never in that tone, then we could kiss our visa good bye forever.
Even the Nepalese have lots of problems with the immigration. Many children are born in other countries like USA and UK. Since it's not possible for a Nepalese to have double citizenship they of course chose to keep the foreign citizenship for their kids.
Just like when you go to the doctor everyone is in the same room listening to everyone else's problems.
At one time an employee and a father, arguing for his daughter's visa, had a loud discussion and soon our lawyer and the rest of the applicants were involved. I sat in a comfy chair so I could witness the madness, understanding about every 10:th word. The body language was crystal clear.
The employee showed with his eyes, head and hands that it was nothing more to discuss, but the father never gave up. For 20 minutes they kept on, but when they finished there were no hard feelings and even the employee smiled.
I could never ever see this scene happen in Sweden. You just don't raise your voice like this if you are working with people.
Now we are giving ourselves one month break before we get started for next visa. Now we know that nothing is easy, even though we should know this simple fact by now.
9/03/2013
Deep breaths ...
Two days ago our last visa expired. Living in a country without a constitution, no laws and no rules is very frustrating.
You have to pay bribes to everyone and still there are documents missing. Going here and there, waiting for hours in different places not knowing what you are waiting for.
It's worse for Nicholas since he is the owner of the company. He's the one who has to go to all these different places.
The government workers are so arrogant in this country. They get the job because they know someone and they don't care about us for one second.
Three times we've been to the Nepalese immigration office and instead of looking through all our papers they stop when they see that one document is missing.
When we come back with that document they say something else is missing and so on. Back and forth like it's a full time job applying for a visa.
Well, the documents are registrated at the immigration office so one day we'll have a new visa.
You have to pay bribes to everyone and still there are documents missing. Going here and there, waiting for hours in different places not knowing what you are waiting for.
It's worse for Nicholas since he is the owner of the company. He's the one who has to go to all these different places.
The government workers are so arrogant in this country. They get the job because they know someone and they don't care about us for one second.
Three times we've been to the Nepalese immigration office and instead of looking through all our papers they stop when they see that one document is missing.
When we come back with that document they say something else is missing and so on. Back and forth like it's a full time job applying for a visa.
Well, the documents are registrated at the immigration office so one day we'll have a new visa.
9/02/2013
Our moms are coming!
Finally we have booked tickets so our moms can come and visit us here in Nepal for the first time.
So exciting for all of us. Can't wait to show them around and introduce them to all our friends.
Mom and mom-in-law! You are super welcome!
So exciting for all of us. Can't wait to show them around and introduce them to all our friends.
Mom and mom-in-law! You are super welcome!
9/01/2013
Magic plant
My husband is so sweet. (Ironi)
I started with five plants and now only one is still alive, so according to Nicholas it has to be magic.
I started with five plants and now only one is still alive, so according to Nicholas it has to be magic.
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