Freak Street is tucked away at the edge of Kathmandu's shopping and historical center. |
 This ancient street was named after the invasion of hippies almost four and a half decades ago. Once there was a feeling of "anything goes"and nothing was shocking to the people who lingered here. But as more western tourists passed through Kathmandu for trekking and sightseeing, the allure of Freak Street began to fade. The city resolved to clean up the image of this particular street, leaving it a cosy Nepalese street, attracting travelers from all corners of the world who seek a more authentic stay in Kathmandu. |
It being a very old part of the city of Kathmandu, this particular street is also known as Jhochhe (the houses in a single row) as its traditional name. Freak Street is very close to Durbar Square; an ancient square with temples.
Nepal has a daily average of 12 hours electricity. This may seem as an obstacle at first, but the reality is different. The hours in which there is no electricity tends to vary, though often they are in the middle of the night and a few hours during the day.
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In Kathmandu there is really no place for anyone to escape from the ways of western society except to do as the Nepalese do. Here are some examples: |
| PhotoCredit:Wikipedia=SigismundVonDobshutz Nepali Food Stand |
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Photo Credit: Wikipedia= "Choila" Nepali staple. |
Similar to other Asian kitchens, the Nepali food can be very spicy. Drinking milk or eating the meal with curd can reduce the spiciness. Since the Nepalese are descendants of migrants from parts of earlier Greater Nepal, Tibet, India, and parts of Burma and Yunnan, along with native tribal population, the Nepali kitchen can vary.
Dal Bhat is considered the main dish in a Nepali family. Going to a Dhaba (local restaurant) will offer a true taste of what the locals eat. Dal Bhat is a variation of dal, a soup made of lentils and spices, served with rice and a vegetable curry. The countless refills are for free.
Momos are Nepali dumplings, and can be found on almost every street corner in Kathmandu. With the option of steaming or frying, they are either filled with vegetables or meet and served with a spicy sauce.
Choila is a Nepali staple that is an easily found food items while visiting Kathmandu. Traditionally served with beaten rice and liquor (locally known as Aila), Choila is a requirement in almost all of the festival celebrated in and around Kathmandu valley. It serves as an ever demanding snack to almost all the drinking parties.
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Along with buying ready-made clothing or Tibetan handicrafts, there is also the option of going to a tailor. The local market offers a wide range of different materials, fabrics, colors and patterns to choose from. Tailors can make anything from traditional clothing to blouses or a personal design. The language barrier can be an issue, but drawings and hand signals are often enough to gain understanding.
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Nepal is one of the few places in the world where yak milk is used for making cheese. The famous yak cheese is produced in the high Himalayan alpine grounds. Nepal has perfect conditions for it to develop as a cheese producer. It has the right climatic conditions, the grasslands and people who are traditionally into animal agriculture.
Several corner shops on Freak Street sell yak cheese. Since the cheese isn’t branded, the taste may vary a little depending on its origin and the months of ageing.
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The ecological settings of the Himalayas provide Nepalese coffee a unique opportunity for quality production. The coffee is often grown in small family farms offering rich taste, aroma and flavour.
The main hangout on Freak Street is ‘Organic Mantra’, a coffee shop serving a selected organic variation of coffee, tea’s and snacks. With seats and cushions spread, it offers an easy atmosphere to connect with other travelers. Bags of Nepali coffee--ground and whole beans, whatever your preference--are sold in many different locations.
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Locals often brew and drink their own alcohol. Popular mountain drinks are Chang--beer made from fermented barley, maize or millet--and Raksi, a wheat spirit. They can be found in corner stores and are sold in beer or water bottles.
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The majority of the country is rural area where people live in villages and stick to the culture and traditions. Although the traditions are followed in Kathmandu as well, the capital is considered to be more modern and up-to-date. Especially the younger generations are very hip and stylish, and will occasionally wear piercings and tattoos. Kathmandu is known for its professional tattoo artists, of which some are internationally recognized. Many of these studios can be found on Freak Street.
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Photo Credit: "Sadhu" from Wikipedia=PICQ |
PHOTO CREDITS: Nienke Moolenaar's work has been captured with Sony equipment, as well as Tamron and Sigma lenses.
Additional photos by Wikipedia, as noted.
Nienke's writing and photography can be found on:
www.boundlesswanderer.com
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