Cycle rickshaws in Kathmandu
Cycle rickshaws in Kathmandu
During my stay in Kathmandu I usually walked to and from my destinations for the day. When the distance was too far I used taxis which are very cheap when compared to Australian prices. There are many other choices for getting around the city. One of these ways, especially in the narrower streets of the older parts of the city, is by using a cycle rickshaw like those shown in the photos above and below.
Although I never used one of these forms of transport, rickshaws are an excellent and cheap way of getting around the twisting narrow streets. They can go places where the taxi drivers cannot go and seemed ideal for short trips. They also have a side benefit; they do not add to the pollution in the Kathmandu Valley and that has to be a big plus in their favour.
Cycle rickshaws in Kathmandu
Specialty shops in Kathmandu
Thamel district of Kathmandu Nepal
Like all towns and cities Kathmandu has many specialty shops. The one in the photo shows one such shop. All the items in this shop were made from some kind of metal, mostly copper I think. And there was an incredible variety of different kinds of objects for sale. I actually stood there mesmerised for quite a few minutes, taking in the beautiful artwork and the incredible range of goods for sale.
Many of the items for sale were utilitarian in nature, like ornate jugs, plates, bowls and water pots. Then there were amazingly complex art objects, simple mugs, beautiful saucepans and ornate religious items. Most were carefully polished and wonderfully displayed.
More about shopping in Kathmandu
Thamel district of Kathmandu Nepal
Yesterday I wrote about the retail outlets for clothing in the Thamel district of central Kathmandu. These shops are not just confined to this area and similar outlets can be found throughout the city. Sometimes they are not shops but merely displays of clothing or materials right on the footpath.
In the case of the vendor in the photo above, their ‘shop’ was in the square in front of the temple shown in the background. I would imagine that they could not afford to rent a shop space in the commercial heart of the city so they set up this street outlet to tap into the extra trade brought about by the heavy pedestrian and tourist traffic in this area. They might also have lived some distance away because they could not afford accommodation in the central area of the capital.
Whatever the reason, their ‘shop’ added some brilliant colour to an otherwise drab square.
Shopping in Thamel, Kathmandu
Thamel district of Kathmandu Nepal
Like so many exotic cities shopping in Kathmandu has to be one of the delights for visitors to this city. There are plenty of tourist type shops but there are also many others that are unique to Kathmandu. In the photo above I have shown just one of dozens of clothing and material shops.
Beautiful and extremely colourful gowns were hanging from every vantage point in this shop. In addition there were hundreds of different materials available for those wanting to make their own or engage the local dressmakers. I didn’t ask, but I am sure the shop keeper could arrange for one’s material purchase to be made into a gown or dress, probably by one of the family and made on the premises. In another part of the city I saw a series of tailors, each boasting their pride in their tailor-made suits.
Hazards of Walking in Kathmandu
Thamel district of Kathmandu Nepal
The narrow streets and laneways of the Thamel district of Kathmandu can be quite hazardous to negotiate on foot. Not only do you have a great deal of pedestrian traffic to deal with but you also have many other hazards. The lanes and footpaths are narrow. The walking surface is often poorly maintained so you have to watch out for holes, uneven paths and a range of other hazards, including animal excrement. I managed to step in what I think were some dog droppings one evening; it took me ages to get my shoe clean and not smelling again.
Then you have the obstacles such as people with their tiny street stalls to avoid on the footpaths. These vendors often have a small table or such to display their wares; others just spread a few baskets of fruit or vegetables on the path and sit there. All the time you have to watch out for bicycles, taxis, motor bikes and rickshaws trying to make their way through the narrow streets.
In one narrow laneway I needed to give way to what I assumed was the local council road repair gang; a truck load of workers and their tools trundling down a lane with less than a half metre to spare on either side. I actually had to retreat partially inside someone’s front doorway in order to allow the truck to pass.