Here is a common site in Nepal and especially in the rural areas, a water buffalo.

I saw monkeys everywhere, especially near holy sites. I began to wonder if there was a connection between Buddha and primates.

As cute as they are, I was reminded they are wild animals. I saw a few attack visitors. No one was hurt, they just wanted the water in their plastic water bottles.

Elephants in Nepal are a huge source of revenue and labor. In Chitwan National Park, the lodge owned two elephants.

At the elephant breeding center in Chitwan National Park, there were 4 calves playing with each other.

A buddha?

The majority of the population follows Hinduism but Buddhism's influence is pervasive in Nepali culture. This is at the base of the "monkey temple" (named because of the preponderance of monkeys) as night falls. Locals light butter lamps as an offering.

Prayer wheels are common in Buddhism and it is believed that turning the wheel has the same effect of orally reciting the mantra (prayer). 

An unknown ceremony at the top of the "monkey temple."

"Monkey temple" glowing in the distance. Taken from a rooftop restaurant in Kathmandu.

A stupa is a dome-shaped Buddhist monument meant to represent the mind of Buddha. Devotees circumnavigate Bodnath Stupa chanting and turning the prayer wheels.

Prostrations are full body bows meant to show reverence in Buddhism and purify the body, speech and mind. Here is a prostration board at Bodnath Stupa where monks can perform hundreds a day.

This photograph is a wider shot to show reference. You can see the peace occurs within the chaos.

Woman performing prostrations around Bodnath Stupa in the rain.

Butter lamps lit outside of Bodnath Stupa as night falls.

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was reported to be born in Lumbini, Nepal in 623 BC. This is in front of the Maya Devi Temple constructed at the birthplace of Buddha.

Maya Devi Temple. The spot of buddha's birth is located inside behind bullet-proof glass.

Woman turning a large public prayer wheel.

Inside a monastery outside Bodnath. (Notice the bear slippers.)

Even monks can fall prey to the electronics addiction.

In the ancient city of Patan, outside of Kathmandu.

Here is a man carrying building materials with his head on a typical street in Kathmandu.

A typical grocery store in Kathmandu.

A typical scene in Kathmandu's Durbar Square (the main plaza area).

Another typical scene in Kathmandu.

A market in Kathmandu's Durbar Square.

Adults were often leery of me (maybe because I was white and blonde), but children were often curious and friendly.

Woman walking to work in Sauraha, a rural town outside of Chitwan National Park.

In the rural town of Sauraha. 

A fisherman at work in Sauraha.

A typical house in a Tharu village outside of Sauraha. The wall plaster is made with elephant dung which is very fiberous.

I will end my Nepal journal with you with one of my favorite quotes. These signs were everywhere throughout the Monastic Zone in Lumbini (the birthplace of Buddha). Wherever you are on your path may you appreciate the journey. Namaste.