Bandhas, Monkeys, Sacred Cows

I have no songs in my sleep here in Nepal. I sleep to a cacophony of dogs, and wake to a euphony of birds instead. Interesting.
The other day (April 25th) we were catching the bus home from Thamel (a busy shopping tourist district) and encountered a demonstration that blocked traffic. Subsequently, we had to walk home. I asked some Nepalis what it was all about, but they generally shrugged it off saying that these 'bandhas' happen all the time for various reasons and are almost always peaceful, rather annoying more than anything. Some have noted that they are rather counterproductive, as they generally stop trade, traffic, getting to work and so on, which is detrimental to the economy and often perpetuates the issues that they are protesting against. But one must try to make change somehow right?

There is so much to see just walking and driving through Nepal. There are cows all over the city, just walking about or hanging around. They are sacred here so get a free reign. There are monkeys hanging about also. People are sleeping in the street, and children are picking over garbage piles, goods are for sale everywhere.

Since we arrived there has been this chariot parked around the corner from our house in Patan. They have been fortifying this large pole set atop it and recently mounted some idols of gods upon it. It was quite an event watching the men climb this enormous pole with incredibly heavy objects. It appeared exceedingly dangerous, for the men and nearby spectators alike.This is a festival that sends a plea to Machendranath, a god who has great powers over rain, in order to have good rainfall in the coming monsoon season. The most exciting part happened last night however, where the people pull this massive chariot around town. We managed to catch this momentous occasion and it was quite exciting, accompanied by drums, shouting and cheers. Once it was off, the huge pole took to leaning to one side, again, seemingly very dangerous should the pole actually fall, which is very bad luck and portends a dry rainy season. I am sure there is a title rather than 'pole' but I do not know what it is. It appears from the morning paper, however, that the chariot managed it's destination without disaster. I have attempted to include a video of the beginning of the chariots journey, but it is taking way to long to upload. We did observe it bending a lamppost, however. Anyway, my health is still in order, aside from a cold, which they say is exacerbated by pollution and dust. I hope to recover from that soon, and avoid the dreaded irritable bowel. Nameste, and thanks for reading.