As a result of participation in a research expedition to Western Nepal in 1992, I was lucky enough to spend a significant amount of time in the Kathmandu Valley as well. Subsequent trips in 1995 and 1997 allowed me to witness the constant, and sometimes overwhelming, flow of life on the streets of this medieval capital, as well as the nearby cities of Patan and Bhaktapur. This work reflects a fascination with the openness and vitality of life in this remote corner of the world, where the compatible cultures of Hindu, Buddhist, and Animist coexist side by side, despite the relative newness of the political unrest, and where the people live their lives, literally, out on the streets.
Kite Flying, Swayambhunath, 1995.
Girl with Harmonium, Budhanilkantha, 1995 (inset).
Monk with tea, Boudhanath, 1992
Injured Pigeon, Pashupatinath, 1992
Stone Carver, Swayambhunath, 1992
Rejoicing, Budhanilkantha, 1995
Rolling a Tire, Kathesimbhu, 1992
Tobacco Vendor, Bhaktapur, 1995 (above).
Early Morning, Swayambhunath, 1992 (right).
Butter Lamps, Pashupatinath, 1995 (below).
Even for the most experienced of travelers, Nepal is one of the most fascinating places on earth. It is a land of myth and mountains; a simple land with welcoming people where ritual and devotion are part of their daily lives. With the current civil unrest comes tragedy and loss, yet so many depend on the generous support of the tourist industry. Simply put: they need the tourist and trekking industries in order to survive.
