A Cooking Class At Seven Women, Kathmandu

 
During the class, we also heard from Anita, our leader, all about the hardships faced by women in Nepal, and how things are slowly but surely improving across the country, especially with the help of social enterprises such as Seven Women.

Not only is a traditional cooking class at Seven Women one of the best things to do in Nepal, it’s also a great way of supporting an enterprise that is helping empower Nepali women.

Cooking Class At Seven Women

 During our cooking class, we learned how to make traditional Nepali dishes, including a proper Nepalese curry (Dal Bhat!) from scratch using fresh local ingredients from Kathmandu Valley. Surprisingly, it tasted absolutely delicious.

We then made a traditional rice pudding for dessert, which we’re both comfortable in admitting, was the best thing we’ve ever cooked.

Enjoy A Cooking Class With A Difference At Seven Women, Kathmandu

 We always say that to truly experience a destination, you have to understand its food culture too - so most places we go, we try to take a traditional cooking class.

In Kathmandu, we joined a cooking class at Seven Women, a social enterprise working to empower marginalised Nepalese women through skills training and literacy classes. For Nepali women, the kitchen is the heart of the home and we learned that it gives them a great sense of pride to share their food, culture and traditions with travellers from around the world.

(to be continued)

Patan Durbar Square 4

 The locals treat it like their second home, with the benches and temples a meeting point for people of all types, from young lovers to groups of old men. It’s a fascinating place to people watch - you could spend hours here watching the world go by (we did just that on our second visit here!).

 Like most historical sites in Kathmandu, Patan Durbar Square is still undergoing restoration post 2015 earthquake.

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Patan Durbar Square

 Krishna Mandir | The most impressive temple in all the Durbar squares, and Patan’s most important, Krishna Mandir houses shrine to Lord Krishna, with shrines to Radha and Rukmini on either side

 Mul Chowk | Central courtyard of the Palace and the most beautiful of the three main chowks in the complex

 The third of Kathmandu Valley’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Durbar Squares is also the most authentic, with a distinct lack of souvenirs stalls and touts giving a friendly, relaxed vibe.

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Patan Durbar Square

 Like most of the classical Newari architecture found in the Kathmandu Valley, Patan was mostly constructed during the Malla period (14th - 18th centuries), leaving a Royal Palace, and assorted Hindu and Buddhist temples and idols surrounded by public squares.

Some of our recommended sites to visit in Patan include:

Patan Museum | Housed in the former royal palace, the museum exhibits objects and treasures from Nepal’s rich cultural history, including bronze and copper casts, and traditional crafts from Patan

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Bhaktapur Durbar Square

A visit here takes around 40 minutes from Kathmandu, but once inside the old-town, including Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the streets are pedestrianised, providing a calmer atmosphere than Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Nyatapola temple in Bhaktapur Durbar Square,

The classic Newari marvel, Patan is a far less-touristy and dare we say it, more attractive version of Kathmandu Durbar Square.

(to be continued)