From the now famous video during the first earthquake a few weeks ago we saw with our own eyes the amazing trembling force that was experienced here.
Perhaps even more powerfully felt than in other places around the city, Durbar Square was literally pummeled with force as spectators and tourists alike were simply unable to stand as the earthquake rattled the area. What remains now is a mixture of ancient structures, beautiful monuments, and piles of stone that made up the famous, and once thriving area of Bhaktapur. Downed electrical cables and fallen lamp posts have obscured the road to the point where one cannot even pass in a vehicle, isolating the main square as you now have to arrive on foot. Tangles of wire and support beams holding the very walls up have replaced the once bustling streets. My memories of this place include the shining red temples with their beautiful cloth and flags draped around their edges flowing in the breeze. The color is extraordinary, a wave of red brick and wood making this square very unique, visually enticing, and a must see for anyone coming to the city of Kathmandu. Now it is in ruins.
The great square has been damaged, maybe more so than I am willing to admit on first glance. But then I take a second look. As is the case in many of my experiences these past few days when I am willing and able to look beyond the engrossing and overwhelming damage there is light at the other end. Panning from one side to the other I realize that many of the structures and monuments that make up this amazing place are still standing. Though they may be surrounded with rubble and piles of brick they are still here. The great bell is still hanging, the great red temples for the most part remain, the beautiful colors and unique feeling of this place is intact. There are tourists and spectators wandering through the square, and as I watch them I realize that their faces do not show remorse, longing or sadness - they show basic joy and normalcy. I must continue to remind myself that despite what we see and hear on the news, what we take in on first glance, we have been very, very lucky here, perhaps more than we realize, and the damage though catastrophic could have been so much worse. This amazing place, this red square is full of standing monuments, its spirit is intact, and for this we need - no we must - be extremely thankful. For among the ruins there are great monuments that have stood the test of time, and regardless of what has taken place around them, they are still here.
Perhaps even more powerfully felt than in other places around the city, Durbar Square was literally pummeled with force as spectators and tourists alike were simply unable to stand as the earthquake rattled the area. What remains now is a mixture of ancient structures, beautiful monuments, and piles of stone that made up the famous, and once thriving area of Bhaktapur. Downed electrical cables and fallen lamp posts have obscured the road to the point where one cannot even pass in a vehicle, isolating the main square as you now have to arrive on foot. Tangles of wire and support beams holding the very walls up have replaced the once bustling streets. My memories of this place include the shining red temples with their beautiful cloth and flags draped around their edges flowing in the breeze. The color is extraordinary, a wave of red brick and wood making this square very unique, visually enticing, and a must see for anyone coming to the city of Kathmandu. Now it is in ruins.
The great square has been damaged, maybe more so than I am willing to admit on first glance. But then I take a second look. As is the case in many of my experiences these past few days when I am willing and able to look beyond the engrossing and overwhelming damage there is light at the other end. Panning from one side to the other I realize that many of the structures and monuments that make up this amazing place are still standing. Though they may be surrounded with rubble and piles of brick they are still here. The great bell is still hanging, the great red temples for the most part remain, the beautiful colors and unique feeling of this place is intact. There are tourists and spectators wandering through the square, and as I watch them I realize that their faces do not show remorse, longing or sadness - they show basic joy and normalcy. I must continue to remind myself that despite what we see and hear on the news, what we take in on first glance, we have been very, very lucky here, perhaps more than we realize, and the damage though catastrophic could have been so much worse. This amazing place, this red square is full of standing monuments, its spirit is intact, and for this we need - no we must - be extremely thankful. For among the ruins there are great monuments that have stood the test of time, and regardless of what has taken place around them, they are still here.
