Patan is a suburb of Kathmandu, about nine kilometres away. In the olden days, however, it was its own kingdom. In those days, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur (all different states with royalty) competed to see which kingdom could build the nicest public square in front of their palaces. I’m not sure who won back then, but Kathmandu’s and Patan’s are pretty amazing.
When I told Niv, the manager here, that I was going to Durbar Square, he said I should go to Patan’s because it was nicer. I think they’re both equally gorgeous. The museum at Patan’s, however, is nicer and more museumy, with exhibits and such. When I was there, it was a photo exhibit of faces around Nepal. The permanent collection is mostly about the Hindu and Buddhist faiths in Nepal. I learned quite a lot about both, the deities in the Hindu faith, and how Buddhism changed over the years as it spread to various countries. There was also a section about the local crafters who carve the Hindu and Buddhist statues. Apparently there are no factories in the country making these, and all are still handmade by people whose family members have passed down the trade for generations upon generations. Crazy!
While there, I met a Nepali man named Ravi who asked me where I was from. I said Canada and he asked me, “From Quebec?” I said, “No, Ottawa.” And he said, “Parlez-vous francais?” Haha. I said “Un peu.” And he began speaking to me in perfect French (Parisien French, sorry Ian … no Quebec accent that I could hear!). He was from the mountains, and there taking his children on a sightseeing trip because he was leaving for Malaysia to go work in a factory. He learned French in Kathmandu because he used to be a trekking guide. Strangely I understood him but had difficulty speaking quickly. Grr. Need.To. Practice. My French. (Ahem, IAN.)
Anyway, the museum was nice, the square was nice, and then I had an early dinner at the museum’s restaurant. I sat down and the waiter came over and took my order (BLT sandwich with fries) and then he says, “Do you have a Lonely Planet guidebook?” I said yes. He says, “Can you take it out? I’ll show you something.” I’m like, um, sorry, don’t have it with me. And he says, “This is a really recommended restaurant.” I said, “Yeah, that’s why I came here.” Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to its hype. The BLT was all right, but it was very thing, on thick white bread. They gave me essentially two sandwiches (four triangles!) and I ended up taking the contents of one and putting it in the other and discarding the other pieces of bread. The bacon was not fatty or salty!! It totally did not satisfy my craving, but it was good enough.
I then went for a little walk and then headed back home. The cabbies were totally trying to overcharge me so I had to keep walking until I found someone who would accept a fair price. He ended up asking me if I had water, and I had just bought a juice box, and I said no, I have juice though. And he asked for it!!! LOL. I guess that was his tip. But seriously… who does that?? haha.
Anywho, judge for yourselves which Durbar Square is nicer. 🙂
–Bea
Bea Vongdouangchanh 