| Username |
Post |
| Silicon Gorkha |
Posted
on 09-Jan-03 05:20 PM
It's odd for a Nepali to ask for directions in his own home town, but I'm in that odd
positon. I'm leaving for KTM for a short trip. I'm a Nepali raised in the good-old
US of A and am not familiar with present-day Kathmandu so please help out if you
can.
If you can suggest good places where I can find the following please let me know.
During my trip I'd like to:
*Find a great book on the history of Nepal written in English
*Find books of Nepali folktales written in english or better yet,
an audio tape/CD with the folk tales in Nepali.
*Find a book showing the diverse ethnic groups in Nepal
*Find a Newari to English Dictionary
*Find CD's of Narayan Gopal songs
*Find CD's of nice Lok geets (especially from Doti)
*Find a book containing lyrics of Nepali songs
*See some authentic Nepali folk dancing
*Listen to some live Nepali music
*Eat some authentic Choila w/o getting sick
*Drink some Tibetan & Newari beer w/o getting sick
*Hang out at a cool cafe
I know there must be many places where I can find these things, but I don't have
too much time to look around to find good places w/o tourists. So if you can suggest any good non-touristy places for the above activities or can suggest any other activities this American Gorkha would seriously appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
SG
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| noname |
Posted
on 09-Jan-03 05:44 PM
Silicon:
Books, Go to Mandala's Place in JAMAL. They have all kinds of books. You can find many history books written in English. They do publishing work too.
Music.........Omnipresent in streets of Kathmandu. Though, I suggest TIK 'N TOK in NewRoad. Just infront of Bishal Bazar.
For folk dancing contact RASTRIYA NACHGHAR while visiting MANDALA's place in Jamal. One more option is SADHANA KALA KENDRA in Putali Sadak.
You can listen to Nepali Music in FM station. Tune in to any....!
Tibetian and Newari Beer: Go to WINDBELL for Newari Raksi...(Aha Mukh bata pani aayo!!). For Thakali go to THAKALI KITCHEN in DURBAR MARG. For Tibetian.....devote your one complete day in BOUDDHA.
Hangout at cool cafe............ask anyone in KATHMANDU...
But do visit MAHENDRA (aka HONDA)'s MOMO CAFE in PUTALI SADAK or NEW ROAD. say my hi to him..If you already do not know him...find him and talk to him.
HOpe, this is of some help.
HAVE A NICE TRIP.
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| khaja biscuit |
Posted
on 09-Jan-03 07:41 PM
Help the Nepali economy. Hire a tour guide. Pay him well. He will help you do everything you wish to do.
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| suva chintak |
Posted
on 09-Jan-03 09:10 PM
Dear SG,
For folk songs from Doti, one of the best singers is Nanda Krishna Joshi. His CDs and cassettes are availabe in many stores, there are a few other signers from that area, but you can ask at the music stores!
One of the best Doteli lok geet has been sung by the ever-green Kumar Basnyat:
"Gai charnema bhainsi chareo,
larki laraka, ghankau madala
Bhauji...."
You should definitely get this one.
Suva Yatra!!
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| Paschim |
Posted
on 09-Jan-03 11:18 PM
I'm not from Kathmandu, and can't claim to belong there, but in the past 6 months, been there 4 times. I just returned yesterday after spending a week -- and whenever there, I check out the following places almost ritually which I think will be of use to you:
*Find a great book on the history of Nepal written in English
-- try Pilgrims bookshop either in Thamel or Pulchowk; and Mandala in Jamal (try their hidden store that's behind the main shop on Kantipath). For history books, Rishikesh Shah has pretty much covered the entire timeline, from BC to today.
*Find books of Nepali folktales written in english or better yet, an audio tape/CD with the folk tales in Nepali.
-- try Himal book shop in Patan Dhoka.
*Find a book showing the diverse ethnic groups in Nepal
-- try Harka Grung's book "Faces of Nepal" illustrated with Jan Salter's great drawings…also Dor Bahadur Bista's "People of Nepal" is a good primer.
*Find a Newari to English Dictionary
-- try any of the above, or Himalyan Bookstore in Bagbazaar.
*Find CD's of Narayan Gopal songs
-- for all sorts of quality CDs, stop by Dexo Music Center in Thamel or Jamal.
*Find a book containing lyrics of Nepali songs
-- try the small shops along the stretch between Ratna Park and Ason.
*See some authentic Nepali folk dancing
-- I don't know if the Rastriya Naach Ghar in Jamal still puts up shows; but you can also try hotels or up-scale restaurants in the evenings like Bhannchha Ghar in Kamaladi.
*Eat some authentic Choila w/o getting sick
*Drink some Tibetan & Newari beer w/o getting sick
-- try Dwarika's in Battis Putali.
*Hang out at a cool café.
-- Java seems to be popular in Tridevi Marg among the moneyed young; but there are many others around town like the various outlets of the Nanglo chain.
Enjoy Kathmandu! The winter sun now is great.
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| Jhilke Kyailan |
Posted
on 10-Jan-03 02:40 AM
It all sounds a bit eliteist for my taste.....
Go get lost in KTM, talk to people in the street and find your own way...I have found it is the best way to (re)discover a place..
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