Nepal

Trekkers who linger in Kathmandu, rather than rushing off to the mountains, will be rewarded, writes Kerry Little.

I am standing in a courtyard, waiting for a goddess. The courtyard is empty, except for me and the hundreds of images of animals, workers, lovers and gods etched into its crumbly brick walls. In the centre is a small spiritual monument known as a stupa, the surface once white but now the marbled grey of pigeon droppings blended with red and yellow tika, a powder applied with prayers, the many layers proof of the faith and hope that comes to this place.

You can find the full article here