One World Family!

“Where are you?”

“At the bus stop, near the green roof.”

“Oh! I see you. I guess it’s you. Are you wearing a black & white t-shirt?” “Could you turn around?”  “I am wearing green shirt.”

“Yes, yes. I see you.”

This is how I met Anousha Ramkinson in a bright sunny day at the Bus Stop. We were supposed to meet at Ratna Park but she was pointed to go to the bus stop by the locals. I was glad to host her in her first visit to Nepal. She is from Mauritius and my brother had met her in World Cultural Festival which was celebrated to mark 35th anniversary of The Art of Living. We walked to Ghantaghar,the clock house, and went to the Pashupati Nath Temple. After Shubham joined, we visited the temple and chanted Aum Nama Shivaya 108 times. It was so amazing. Later, Shibesh joined as well and we did some photo sessions! Our day ended with a delicious Banana Chilly, Banana Momo and Banana Chowmein!

Banana Chilly

Next day, I met Sandy, friend of Anousha.  Sandy is a fashion blogger from UK. We went to Patan Durbar Square from Ratna Park. Today was the chariot pulling ceremony of Machhindra Nath Jatra. The artistic temples and houses of Patan amazed all of us. Anousha and Sandy were excited while tasting the different types of Newari sweets and food items: Anarsa, Aitha, Sel roti, Rasbari and others…..

On 13^th May, we started our day with long Sudarshan Kriya Yoga at the Art of Living Centre, Chabahil as a celebration of our beloved Guruji His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar’s 60^th birthday. We could not accompany Anousha and Sandy to Swoyambhu Nath Stupa nevertheless they enjoyed climbing up the stairs to stupa and the scene of the valley from there.

On 14^th May, they went to visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Later in the evening, we met at New Road. Sreshna d, Manisha, Shubham, Pranit, Shanker, Priya and I accompanied Anousha and Sandy. We had long chit-chats, sharing of Guru Stories and what not. We stopped talking only after the sunset. Having a lot more to speak again we hurried to home.

Anousha and Sandy were scheduled to leave Nepal at evening of 15^th May. Manisha, Pranit and I went to visit them to their hotel in Thamel. After 20 minutes walk, we reached Kathmandu Durbar Square. The recent earthquake has affected many temples and monuments of the Durbar Squares, but the art and craft of what is standing is still mesmerizing! Anousha was happy eating potato and the rest of veg. Newari Khaja. It turned out she loves tasting different food items. We shared many of our respective dishes. We walked back to the hotel and then took a taxi to the airport. Manisha and I bid them goodbye until they come next time to Nepal. We have much more to explore yet!