Same same but different

So we leave Nepal tomorrow and head for our 18hr wait in Mumbai airport for our connection to Singapore and the rest of SE Asia.
We've been here for three months and this place has really got under our skin - quite literally (I know I'm contantly washing clothes).

Here's a few musings that have kept us entertained over the last few weeks.

1. Dogs
In Nepal, these come in three types, brown, black and tan. In the city they have short hair and in more rural areas thay are a bit more shaggy.

2. Reincarnation
This must be the reason why everyone drives so crazily and without rules. Why worry if you're going to come back again? It's a big acceleration for a tiny space to get an inch or two nearer your destination. Horns instead of indicators is the norm (as it is in many developing world countries) but it's starting to grate a bit now. We have seen a two year old steer a motorbike whilst sitting on dad's knee. Dad is meanwhile engaged taking a call on his mobile!

3. Building
Maybe it's because it's the dry season, but everyone is building something. Bamboo trunks for scaffolding.

4. Dust everywhere (dry season again) mobiles and all electricals in poly bags.

5. random animals
Cows going for walks on own up mountain trails or negotiating busy junctions in the middle of Kathmandu. Dogs do the same thing but in bigger gangs.

6. Todlers saying "Namaste" (hello - but a bit more than that actually). Melts your heart.

7. English practice
We have been walking victims for everyone studying English as we are a free opportunity to practice. "Hello" "Where are you from" "Are you friends"?!!!!!!!!!

8. Big smiles
I love it. A whole nation of people who smile on reflex as soon as your eyes meet.

9. Poor marketing skills in Thamel (tourist area).
I am more likely to buy it you leave me alone and don't presume I want the miniture violin even if it is a good price.

10. Electricity cuts
It's about 10hrs a day at the moment which is not great in the winter as it's dark for about 12hrs a day. Evidently, Nepal exports electricity to India which means Nepalis have to go without. This is called load shedding and is not very popular.

11. Sugar in everything
Milk tea, bread, porridge......everything. So much so in some tea the teaspoon can stand up straight on it's own!

12. Hindu gods and Buddhist deities
I've really tried my best to be able to read the subtle signs and gestures - but still can't tell them apart.

13. Festivals
There's always one going on somewhere at anytime. Everyone joins in as nobody misses a good shin-dig - doesn't matter how you identify yourself Hindu or Buddhist. This probably links to the above comment in a way I can't explain.

14. Beatiful people
I wish I had those cheekbones

15. Same same but different
You sometimes see this on lodge signs. Things that seem ie lodges or are familiar from homes - we definitely recognise some plants (berberis, cotonester, pointsetter). As mentioned before all dogs share the same genus and only the colours change. Menus - are the same everywhere you go. The three Durbur Squares - we did become "templed out".