I'm Not a Morning Person

Congratulations to the vicious tag team that woke me up and then kept me awake this morning: it was a devastatingly successful combo.  First of all, there was the wake-up attack from the religious figure who stood outside my neighbours building, at 7am, chanting loudly until people gave him money.  Old school but effective.  His job done, he then tagged in the stifling heat which kept me awake with a series of continuous light jabs: nothing heavy but just enough to keep my attention.  As such, if you annoy me today, you risk being eaten.  

Everything does have a silver lining though.  In this case, I was able to hoover, have breakfast, get ready for Taekwondo and start (and now finish - Ed) this blog entry before I would normally be up.  Additionally, I had more time to contemplate why someone in my building turned off the electricity in my building for no reason last Sunday and why there is a very easy to access (for everyone) switch for turning off said electricity.  Mind boggling.  However, silver lining time again: I found out that my new back-up battery lasts for ages even with a PS3 and TV turned on.

However, you aren't here to listen to my problems, so I give you this weeks blog:

Robbie's Top Five Places in Kathmandu to Eat

Now, last week I gave you my five things to do in Kathmandu but here are five places that you should check out if you're like me and are hungry.  Now, I'm not going for any particular theme here nor am I concentrating on one type of cuisine.  These are just places that I have found to be consistently good to visit and would take someone to.

1. Ram Bhandar
   Now, if you're in Thapathali (or near The British College), you could do worse than visit this place. Small and unassuming, there is a good chance you will walk past it but if you spot it, head straight in. This place does the best samosas that I have ever had and they cost you almost nothing.  Three good sized samosas will cost you 36 NPR which is roughly 20 pence.  They also serve a huge range of traditional Nepali and Indian sweets as well, which make great gifts.
   
   
2. OR2K
   Look hard in Thamel and you'll find this gem of a vegetarian restaurant located down a side street, up a set of stairs hidden by a wall (It's like they don't want to be found). Don't let the initial dark interior scare you off either: just take off your shoes, find a comfortable cushion on the floor and get a menu.  Now, the restaurant is vegan friendly and serves a mixture of Middle Eastern, Israeli and western food, meaning there is something for most people (and Daal Bhat, of course).  All the dishes I've tried here are good but I would really recommend the falafel washed down with some mint tea followed by a Turkish coffee.
   
   
3. That Little Corner Stall Next to the OR2K that I can't remember the name of
   Ok, I realise it is a little redundant not being able to name it but it's hard to miss.  In Thamel, there is a a food stall built into the corner of a block (next to the OR2K) which is little more than a wok, a counter and a small refrigerator but I'll be damned if it doesn't serve the best chicken wrap I've had. Wrapped in naan bread, as a regular wrap won't support the weight, this is stuffed with chicken, salad and sauce.  Simple and delicious.
   
   
4. Kwality Royal Food
   I couldn't make a list without adding Dal Bhat, could I?  If you're looking for some Dal Bhat and a beer in Thapathali, I would recommend here.  Don't be put off by the rough interior (nor by the spelling of quality), as this place serves some of the best Dal Bhat I've had since I moved here (and I have had a lot).  Well cooked and plentiful, this place fills you up for cheap and keeps filling you up due to constant refills of everything.  Finally, everyone has a smile on their face and will chat to you, which really adds to the meal.  Great local restaurant.
   
   
5. Roadhouse CafeIf you're looking for a good pizza (which can be hard to find here), the Roadhouse Cafe is the place to be. With three locations around Kathmandu, and authentic wood-burning ovens, you'll get a great pizza here and some pretty good garlic bread as well.  Also, if you go to the Foodmandu website, you can even have it delivered.  Nice for a change of pace and is pleasant to sit in.
   
   

Pick of the Week

Dan Bull - I was shown this guy's Youtube channel a while ago but I've kept up with it ever since.  Writing and performing rap songs to video game trailers, this guy is incredibly skilled and is able to vary his style to suit the game.  Great if you've got a few minutes to kill (or several hours) and you like video games and/or rap. 

Music of the Week   

Ok, going to go with the Lonely Islands - YOLO this week, as it features a Beagle in it and I want to hug Ollie.  The song is also pretty funny as well.

That's it from me this week!  I'm off to continue waiting for my Taekwondo instructor to arrive whilst reveling in the fact I've completed all the jobs I needed to do today before 11am.  I might even proofread this a little bit.  Maybe.  

Titles are not my forte

 So, after scalding my fingers and getting chilli in my eye, I was sitting on my couch whilst nursing my wounds and trying to decide what to write about this week.  This, you may not be aware, is probably the hardest part of blogging for me: trying to come up with something new each week becomes quite a daunting task after a year or so.  As I sat there lamenting that garlic and chilli oil I just had to make, it hit me!  I haven’t spoken about where I’ve live for ages and I certainly haven’t given much travelers tips about it recently either!  So, I decided that the next few weeks will concentrate on this area!  So this week is going to be my top 5 things to do where I live: my flat!!

1.       Flop onto my couch:  THIS IS MY COUCH, THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT, BUT THIS ONE IS MINE.  MY COUCH IS MY BEST FRIEND.  IT IS MY LIFE.  I MUST MASTER IT AS I MASTER MY LIFE.  It’s pretty comfortable actually.

2.       Jog in a circle round my living room: For those of you with excess energy or a passion for fitness.  Just watch out for multi-plugs and you’re peachy!

3.       Play a game of risk:  Can your washing machine finish its load before load-shedding kicks in and your battery overloads?  Who needs Vegas?

4.       Flick the switch:  Take your pick, I have hundreds of them.   Better yet, I only know what a fraction of them do.  It’s a surprise every time!

5.       Be a commando for the day:  Feel like a real commando as you roll about or crawl on the floor as you suddenly realise that your bedroom curtains are slightly open on your windows which are at eye level for your neighbours and you’re just out the shower!

What?  You don’t want to hear about my flat?  Especially not when linked with showering?!?  Ok then, I suppose I will just have to talk about Kathmandu then.

Five things to do in Nepal that are similar to your guidebook but with a slight twist,
or
‘I know what you did last summer and it looked kind of fun and not in any way psychotic so I would very much like to try that’

 I may have got carried away with the title.  Regardless, I’m going to be talking about my top five things to do in Nepal, some with a slightly different twist.  So here we go (for real this time - Ed).

1. Exercise with the Monkeys
Now, I've spoken about Swayambhunath before (i.e. the Monkey Temple) and it is great for sightseeing but it also has a fun second function as well.  It's a great place to work out as well.  Now, if you're in the main area then it will be too crowded to get anything done but if you head to some of the lower sections (it's on a hill) then there are a lot of flat areas with enough room to run around a lot, and stairs to run up/down. Surrounded by trees, with sun flashing through the leaves and monkeys cheering you on, there aren't many better places for a work out.  The cool breeze is a lifesaver as well. 

There are lots of flat areas like this for working out

The setting really adds something to your mood as well

Thankfully I didn't have to run up these!

2. Get lost in Shivapuri
Now, I wouldn't usually advocate getting lost on a hill but this actually can be beneficial.  You see, Shivapuri is a great walk which is near to Kathmandu (just out of the city) and is doable in a day. However, the biggest problem is that it's heavily forested meaning you don't always get great views of the surrounding mountain ranges.  This is where the getting lost can help: if you follow a couple of extra paths, as opposed to just the main path, you can get some great views of the surrounding area.  Plus, if you go off the beaten path, you might even find the monastery on the mountain.

This is the kind of view you get if you head off the path a little.  This was taken on a large rock on the edge of a cliff

The forestry is beautiful but blocks the view

Cooling after a long day's walk!

This is the monastery that you can find if you take a slight detour

3. Have Breakfast in the Rain
Obviously I don't actually mean sitting there getting wet (though it's up to you really) but if you head to the 1905 restaurant, you can enjoy the monsoon weather in style.  Set away from the noise and dust of the roads, you can sit in your own private world with some delicious food.  With several roofed veranda's, you can sit at one of their tables , or if you get their early enough, on one of their outdoor couches whilst you have your breakfast as the rain falls around you.  I would recommend the yoghurt, fruit and granola or an omelette from the market.

One of the seating areas

A place where you can sit in the shade a little bit

The garden makes for a great place to relax

4. Then get your dinner for the day
After your breakfast (or before), you can wander down into the 1905's garden and visit the farmers market held there every Saturday (it also has a roof).  Here you can get items from around the world!  Looking for French cheese?  No problem!  Moroccan sausages for a lunch?  Done!  Italian pasta for a romantic meal? Ha, easy!  Nepali sweets for the kids?  Sure, why not?  This is a great place to supplement your weekly shopping with some more unusual and handmade items.  Plus you can get vegetables and fruit straight from the farms.    

It fills up quickly, so go early

Jam!

Salsa!

5. Get blessed at Boudhanath

Now, for someone who isn't particularly religious nor spiritual, I can still say that this an interesting experience to go to.  As great as it is wandering the Stupa itself, make sure that you visit a couple of the temples as well as they are stunning.  If you have some spare time, pick up some of the traditional red string used for bracelets and charms from one of the local shops and get it blessed by one of the monks in the temples.  It makes a great gift and the experience of the ritual will really stay with you for a long time.  Make sure to spend some time here to do this!

Pick of the Week

The Dark Knight Returns - Now, in the shadow of the Dark Knight Rises, this film duo may have been overlooked but it is a great take on the Batman story.  Based on the classic graphic novel of the same name from Frank Miller, it follows Batman after he has disappeared for several years but now he has gotten old. He then returns to the cowl to face off against a band of mutants, followed by the Joker and then Superman himself.  It's a great story with good action and interesting characters and is really worth a watch if you like Batman at all.  Plus it really shows what happens when Batman is pushed to his absolute limits.

Music of the week

This week, I think we should take it easy and enjoy a little bit of tango!  I give you Hugh Laurie and Gabe Moreno - Kiss of Fire which is based on a popular Tango song.  Enjoy!  

So, that's it from me this week and next week I will continue with my Nepal tips.  Now, if you'll excused me, I'm off to pretend to be a productive member of society. 

Dance and dinner anyone?

To my dear readers (all 8 of you), I would like to humbly prostrate myself in front of you and beg for your forgiveness as I missed a blog entry last week.  Although I am nowhere near a professional, it is still not proper for me to miss a post with no advance notice.  The fact was, I had a little bit of writers block which was exacerbated by a week spent reading and learning administrative documents, sitting in day long training sessions and attending validation meetings (which is hardly exciting).  Regardless of the reason, it still isn’t good enough so I submit myself to whatever punishment you deem necessary!  However, I ask that you wait until I’ve finished this week’s post until you administer it.

So, what I have to talk about today is a dinner I had last week!  Not just any dinner though…this was a ‘traditional (pronounced touristy - Ed) dinner’ that myself, the SMT and our UWE guests went out for, to celebrate the successful validation of our college.  What resulted was a great night filled with food, drink and good conversation as we all relaxed after a long week and sat down to break bread together but I figured I should talk more about the dinner itself, rather than the work aspect.

Now, don’t take my touristy comment to heart: whilst I do prefer seeing the real side of a country, I still do enjoy doing touristy things as well and this was a fun evening which I would recommend.  As I arrived at the entrance of Utsav, I was given a Tika (a mark worn on the forehead) and then was shown to a long table in a large hall.  Unlike many restaurants, this had 3 massive tables running up the centre with a few smaller tables on a balcony.  Obviously, this establishment is aimed at larger groups and, by sitting at this massive table I did feel a little like a Viking at a feast.  It’s the simple things in life you need to focus on!  After the other guests arrived, the fun began with some traditionally dressed servers bringing round a shot of ‘raksi’, a typical Nepali drink which I have spoken about before.  Think Grappa and you’re getting close.

With my stomach warm from the shot, the food was served, beginning with some traditional cooked potatoes in a bronze bowl (most of the crockery was metal ware) followed by a small amount of spiced meat.  As opposed to having the traditional starter, main and dessert, we were going to be presented with multiple miniature courses that allowed us to sample the more traditional fare.  Dish after dish followed, with fried fish (I actually enjoyed this and I don’t normally eat fish…I think my tastes are maturing: eeh gads!), momo and various other sample dishes being served.  These were then washed down with plentiful drinks to the enjoyment of all and, in an M Night Shyamalan-esque twist, I ended up being a spice-tester for a colleague, informing them if the food was spicy (those familiar with my eating habits will understand but basically, I don't really eat spicy food).  Eventually, the main meal came which was, of course, Dal Bhaat: the traditional Nepali meal with rice, meat and lentil soup.

Now, whilst the meal itself was enjoyable enough, it was the entertainment which was especially interesting.  I've already mentioned that we had been sat a long viking-esque table but what I didn't mention was that there was a large stage at the foot of the table, where a range of traditionally garbed dancers would appear and perform traditional Nepali dance to musical accompaniment.  These dances represented some of the traditional dances from different ethnic groups within Nepal, including the Kumari, Tamang and Muruni and all were dressed in some spectacular outfits and accompanied by Nepali instruments.  My particular favourites were the demon head costume (similar to a Chinese Dragon) and two young ladies who danced with flames on their head.  Now, it was a controlled fire but still, braver than me.  Although the traditional dancing was great to watch, the particular highlight for me was watching out guests be drawn up into the stage and participate with one of the dances (thankfully, yours truly was spared thus...or the audience was).  They seemed to enjoy it though and it will be a great memory for them!  All in all, a fun night, if very tourist orientated.  Don't expect much conversation during the dances though.


Pick of the Week

Iron and the Soul - Now, I'm taking a slightly different approach today and linking you an article today as opposed to a video/game/website.  This link was sent to me by Michael (as are most things) and is on the Nerd Fitness website but it really got me thinking about my own approach to working out.  Now, I work out 5 - 6 days a week but the article made me think about why I was doing it and about how I mentally approached it.  I won't talk through it much as it may negate the impact you receive but if you exercise, I would recommend giving it a read as it won't take long and it may just open your eyes. 


Music of the Week

Who doesn't love a bit of hard rock?  Who doesn't love music that will get your foot tapping, blood pumping and head nodding?  Who doesn't love somebody dressed up in a vampire outfit?  If this song doesn't improve your day, even just a little, I'll give you your money back.  Introducing Danko Jones - I Think Bad Thoughts

Well, that's it from me this week!  Again, sorry for missing last week's blog!  The punishment may begin now!