The Hustle And Bustle Of Thamel

Thamel is the tourist district in Kathmandu, and really, all of Nepal (no offense, Pokhara). Whether you're passing through on the way to an adventurous climb or a spiritual journey, most likely you'll find yourself at least visiting Thamel, if not spending the night in one of the many hotels. Filled with restaurants and shops, and its own nightlife scene, it's perhaps the most convenient place to stay while you explore Kathmandu.

I used Thamel as my base while in Kathmandu, spending several nights there both at the start and end of my time in Nepal. There's always a lot going on there, and depending on where you stay, it can be a bit noisy at night too. Some streets may be closed to cars, but that doesn't stop the hustle and bustle of the locals and tourists.

I don't know if it was the dust or the pollution, but when I first left my hotel to take a walk, within minutes I found myself starting to cough, and I noticed a decent number of people wearing bandanas or masks. I ended up quickly returning to my hotel to grab my own bandana and it made a world of difference. This was literally the first time I've ever been somewhere where I felt, I *need* to wear a mask due to the pollution and dust. Sure, if you go to a sand dune and its windy, you'll also probably want to wear a mask, but that's a little more expected than just walking down the street of a tourist district.

Despite the inconvenience of wearing the bandana at the time, the energy of Thamel is not to be missed. You can find the occasional temple or stupa as you explore the area on foot, or even visit a market filled with spices and greens. My personal recommendation is to make sure you try the local food - there are a variety of different kinds of momos (dumplings) to be found, and they are amazingly delicious!