So what have I learned in my days in Kathmandu...

The people are friendly and polite...

If you say "no thank you" to a vendor....of which there are many...they do not persist.

Gay folks can express their affections openly...without fear it appears. Good for them.

They have an unbelievable pollution problem to which the governmental agency responsible has admitted failure.  There is no plan in place nor anticipated.

The people for the most part are clean and well dressed.

People throw their paper, wrappings and all on the ground. There are no trash cans nor education to the contrary.

There is no mass transit. People jam into little smoky polluting buses or ride motorcycles and scooters which are two cycle...which are high polluters.

The main source of living in the city seems to be one who owns a shop..everyone seems to have a shop selling something.

USA movies sell for 150 rupies...today 94.85 rupies equals a dollar. What a deal...and all the new movies are available.

The buildings, for the most part, are made of brick. Structural but workmanship is poor..little to no upkeep...been there a long time.

Electricity is not dependable..it seems to quit frequently during the day. It comes back on pretty fast.

If you believe you are buying a North Face jacket or anything else North Face for such an unbelievable price.....I have a bridge for you to buy...

Well, there is a lot more..but the big thing is..it is safe....at least in Thamel....where I am at...and it is fun to "truck" around on foot..up and down the narrow streets. If you cross the street, you hold your hand down to let the traffic know you are moving. Then you move... they hesitate...just enough time..if you hesitate..they don't.

I am including pictures of roof top living...that is where one would want to live...above it all...for sure.