Wed 18th Jan. A day in Kathmandu...

Beautiful sunshine to wake up to today. Rather chilly this morning but wasn't long until the layers came off.
​This morning was a shopping morning. All 10 of us in one shop. Everyone bargained their heart out and walked out proudly talking about how much they bartered stuff down. There's always one in the group that maybe bargains better than the rest and isn't shy to remind the others what he had paid to only make the others think they'd been ripped off!!! All in good fun though.
A quick bite to eat at the falafel bar and we were piling into a taxi to Pashupatinath where the cremations take place. Two things that can be rather disturbing about Pashupatinath.....firstly, you will see a body being cremated, and secondly if you're lucky you will see two monkeys masturbating each other...!! Fascinating probably isn't the right choice of words but everyone walked away fascinated.
We then got our driver to take us to Durbar Square, home of the Living Goddess. She made her usual 20 second appearance before vanishing for another 24 hours. The walk back to the guest house from Durbar Square is always well enjoyed.
The group hired their sleeping bags and down jackets and are now the very proud owners of a set of crampons. We have been told there will be icy sections on the trek.
Tea tonight was enjoyed as we had done a bit of walking and sightseeing and hadn't had much to eat during the day. Everyone was starving and the usual looking for bed at around 8pm.
Another day of sightseeing tomorrow and final preparations before the trek begins on Friday.