Friday Night in the Thamel District

Wandering through winding streets full of small shops. Pashminas. Buddhas. Jewelry. Clothing. Handmade paper. An overwhelming mountain of goods for sale. Too much to take in. Live blues coming from a nearby club. Trying not to get run over by a motorcycle or car moving too fast through the crowds on the narrow street.

Under the stairs at my guest house, there's a small incense shop, and the incense drifts up to my room, smelling sweet.

There are guest house rules in my room. These are posted on the wall:

• Kathmandu Guest House was originally a Rana Palace, wherein most of the materials used for the construction for this magnificent Heritage Building is made of wood. As such the residents are requested to be very careful with candles, cigarettes, electric heaters and any other inflammatory products and equipments.

• Please TURN-OFF all electrical appliances and lights when leaving the room.

• Outside guests are NOT allowed in guest rooms. All outside guests are requested to be entertained in the Garden, Lobby or Café.

• Cooking / Washing of clothes / Pressing is strictly prohibited in the rooms or bathrooms.

• The laundry service being a separate entity from the hotel, the management will not bear any responsibility for any loss or damage of the laundry.

• Please do not play loud music or television for the consideration of other important guest like you and maintain peaceful atmosphere of the hotel.

• Drugs of any kind (unless prescribed by a licensed doctor) are prohibited in any part of the hotel. DRUGS are a punishable crime by the Nepalese Law.

After a full day of work with potters, papier mache mask makers, and weavers, I will forgo nightlife and fall into bed. I want to be rested for sightseeing tomorrow.