Saturday Morning Market

Looking for a sign that might direct me to my destination, I was quickly bypassed by one of Kathmandu's elite expats. Dressed in tights, a nautical style dress, and carrying a designer French bag, the woman purposefully waltzed down the sidewalk, and I decided that if I followed her, she would lead me right to where I was trying to go, the nexus of Kathmandu's expat community, the Saturday Morning Market.

Earlier this week, my previous research project and I got into a fight. Deeply unsatisfied, I decided to break things off and dived into the swanky arms of my new topic: Kathmandu's expat community. Instead of trekking up to Nepal's Tsum Valley (I'll admit to being a bit disappointed about missing out on this), I am staying in Kathmandu for the next month hanging out at bars, going to Saturday morning markets, and basically loitering in the areas most frequented by white people. You'd think this would be pretty easy considering I am a young, white girl myself, but it is looking like this project might push me more out of my comfort zone than my former one.

The market was held on the grounds of one of Kathmandu's upscale restaurants. Walking in, I was immediately stuck by how well-groomed and put-together everyone was. I stood there in hippie-pants that I picked up in Boudha, the Tibetan Buddhist portion of Kathmandu (see photo) that is just crawling with the baggy pants and patterned skirts of Western dharma practitioners, and immediately regretted the fact that I hadn't showered in the last three days. However, I sucked in my insecurities and began checking out the different booths. There was artisan cheese, sugar-free jams, fresh-baked goods, and fine clothing; all things I could not even consider buying with my meager student stipend. Finally, I stumbled upon a booth about street dogs and figured I could take a look without giving in and buying a block of cheese. The booth was run by an older couple, maybe in their mid-60s, from Australia. We got to talking about their work and my research. After a little while, I got up the nerve to ask to interview them at some point, and although appearing a little nervous about it, they said yes.

So I am off. I still have a little work to do though as far as getting over my timidity. After shaking the couple's hand goodbye and promising to call them, I quickly ran around a table of gorgeous, young expats and scurried to the exit. Oh well, next time, I'll know to shower.