One sunny December day, after previously visiting Namo Buddha Monastery, I, with my devout student, decided to scale the Kali Temple, by a staircase of no less than 1000 steps – we did not count them ourselves, but took it for granted. It all began with the “cosmic” White Bhairava before the steps that were adorned with a Newari-style gate. While climbing up, curiosities stopped us every now and then: first, a small temple, then statues of mysterious sages, and finally, the Shanti Buddha (Shanti Ban Stupa). We encountered short-tailed, hairy monkeys, quite unlike the long-tailed Sri Lankan ones. At the very top, there was a magnificent view of the Himalayas!

On the way back, we went in a roundabout, like any courageous hero does. As we went down the hill, to our surprise and delight, we stumbled upon a Himalayan-French cheese shop, and we couldn’t resist getting some kebbucks for ourselves and the hotel cats for an afternoon snack. For the next couple of hours, our path layed along an asphalt road and, to reinforce our stomachs, we bought some mandarins and ice-cream. When we felt tired, we made a short halt on a wonderful pine-covered hill, and discovered a university and a psychiatric clinic amidst the pines (one would not find a better place to peace one’s mind). This stroll allowed us to admire the surroundings and the pretty Nepalese style houses.