Kathman-DO and Kathman-DONT

.Ladies and Gentlemen, Crocs have officially made it huge in the world. We saw a shop in Thamel Kathmandu that has a massive selection of Crocs. All you fellow Coloradoans will remember a day just 2 years ago or so when Crocs were that rediculous looking shoe thing that a few strange hearted individuals seemed to wear. The quickly became a big thing on campus and then spread fairly quickly around the country. I know that sometime this year, the Colorado company went public, and since its IPO it has done very well. I did not expect them to come this far this fast though. They are everywhere, and the recent factory opened in China has obviously been able to mass produce Crocs at a rate that the world seems to have trouble consuming. It was astonishing to see a small Nepali vendor with a store full of Crocs. Equally as astonishing was the price he was selling them for, and I asked him if people actually bought them for the cool $55 he sold them for. He said of course, this was his biggest business item. That's twice what they cost in the US!

Bodhinath

Well, our time is finished in Nepal and we have nothing to do tonight so I though I'd sit down a write a list of what I'd like to call Kathman-DO's and Kathman-DONTs. In case any of you are planning on travel to Nepal, possibly India as well, this short list of suggestions might come in handy. If you aren't coming to this part of the world, hopefully this provides some comic relief and insight as to what things are like here. Normal life can be a hastle here for the unsuspecting westerner if the visitor is unable to roll with the punches and let a bit of life happen rather than always trying to take the reins. Without further delay:

Live cremation

1) Kathman-DO bargain for everything from your food and lodging to each breath of air. Kathman-DON'T believe that there is fixed price for anything.

2) Kathman-DO wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Kathman-DON'T take too many deep breaths you might actually suffocate in a thick brown cloud of smog and dust

3) Kathman-DO eat from the dodgy looking street shacks, Kathman-DON'T under any circumstance extend any part of yourself into the bodies of water in this city.

4) Kathman-DO go for an extended trek at high altitudes. Kathman-DON'T hire young single guide as a young single woman (you will be asked for an international marriage) and Kathman-DON'T drink Raksi above 13000 ft

5) Kathman-DO use a watch. Kathman-DON'T expect anyone to ever be on time

Poor Cow

6) Kathman-DO assume that cars, bicycles, busses, tractors, cows and dogs are competing for the same road space that you are on foot. Kathman-DON'T assume that you will win the battle

7) Kathman-DO use long haul busses to travel. Kathman-DON'T sit in the front seat as the driver never seems to make it when busses collide.

That's all for now, enjoy the photos!

Thank you Mr. Maoist