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For some disciples, a Buddhist Temple guarded by monkeys can lead one on the path to perfection.
Nepal seemed harmonious indeed, and although mountain air was refreshing, and the exchange rate reasonable, material reality was manifesting. I had arrived in a 65 Mercedes and was down to $20 cash, so I put a "for sale" sign on my car, and retired to my hotel room. That night, someone knocked at my door, and excitedly informed me that a member of the Royal Family wanted to see me.
In the lobby, an entourage gathered around a distinguished-looking man dressed in cloth slippers and lavender pajamas...not some Nepalese traditional costume...but "Pajamas". He smiled warmly and said he wished to see my car. Outside, he got behind the wheel, and off we went. I remember headlights shining as we zoomed down Kathmandu boulevards. Rolling back the sun roof, he introduced himself as the ex-Prime Minister, and chatted amiably, as cool air swirled, and we bounded over speed bumps. Nepal or not, pajamas seemed surreal, like some Cellini prank, yet he acted unfazed. Probably 47, he was slight-framed, fluid, and fluent in English, and, put me at ease, with a kind of casual Dali Lama confidence. I am not sure if the car was for him, but next morning, a man in a business suit gave me $1,950 in US hundred dollar bills, a hundred more than I paid in Germany. I put the money under my pillow and slept restlessly that night. Six thousand miles and a hundred dollar profit. I would soon be off to New Delhi.
Years later, I would learn more about Kirti Nidi Bista (photos from Nepalnews.com).
Born in 1927, he served as prime minister of Nepal from 1969 to 1970, 1971 to 1973, and 1977 to 1979. At some point, I believe, he went into exile in India.
After King Gyanendra's government coup in 2005, Kirti Nidhi Bista was appointed as one of the vice chairmen till the government collapsed in April 2006 after the people's uprising. Bista would be 78 years old in this photo. He seems too amiable to be involved in a bloody ten year Maoist Revolution. The rebels, on the other hand, appear surprisingly youthful, and adept at dancing. In today's world, revolution and the birth of a republic are a mouse click away, History happening at your fingertips.
The Maoist Student Leader is surprising candid.
For daily update, there is the Nepal News. http://www.nepalnew.com
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
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