Kids of Kathmandu

Children in Kathmandu who are fortunate enough to attend primary school will be the first generation of non-college educated Nepalis to be semi-fluent in English. Every day on the street we’re greeted with at least one boisterous “Hallo!” from a child, quite often followed up by a loud “How are you?” One small boy asked Bonnie, “Where are you from?” She replied “The United States” and then asked him where he was from. Not expecting a question with such an obvious answer, he was speechless. Apparently, they had not gotten that far in their lessons. Bonnie has begun to surprise children with preemptive greetings, even to the point of hanging her head out of the car window to yell “Haaalllllooooo” as we pass by. This always elicits lots of smiles and waves. There goes the crazy foreign woman again.

These three little girls were walking together over a bridge and were completely oblivious to the fact that the moment was frozen forever. The one in the middle seems to be the den mother of the group, holding on tightly to the little one while reaching out to the other.

My favorite photo is of three sisters, ranging in age from 2-10, that Bonnie took at the Indrajatra festival last month at Durbar Square. Nepali children are so pretty. Their soulful brown eyes seem to absorb light like tiny black holes.

Bonnie, of course, can relate far better to kids than I. My size and unintended stern countenance usually scares away small children. However, a few weeks ago, I was sitting on a curb reading a book at a bus stop when out of nowhere a tiny 6-year-old girl in a blue school uniform marched over to me and demanded, “What is your name?” She had to be all of 4 feet tall and 50 pounds soaking wet, but her blue tie and glasses gave her an authoritative presence. Her eyes were piercing with a strong Tibetan geometry. When I told her my name, she ran back to her girlfriend and shared the information, both casting suspicious glances my way. I felt like the door of the haunted house at Halloween on which children dare each other to knock.

All of the mothers seem to be anxious to have their baby’s photo taken. Bonnie will coo over them while the proud mother holds her baby up in display. Bonnie could actually see herself reflected in this baby’s eyes!

The older kids are also very photogenic and love to be in front of the camera. A few days ago we drove by a Buddhist temple in the hills just east of Kathmandu where some prepubescent monks were sitting in their burgundy robes on a drain pipe biding their time. When I asked if I could take their picture, they automatically went into very non-monklike poses, just like boys would do anywhere else in the world.