Before we made our own light, we knew how to appreciate the light that was given to us. This woman idles in the natural spotlight. Nothing is special about her; she is noticed simply because she’s the only thing thing that can be seen in contrast to the temple in the shadows. In fact, the temple is crammed with statues around the outside and inside, inlaid carvings on the roofs and walls, and prayer candles that have left colourful red streaks. Unfortunately, it was too dim to photograph.
Much of Katmandu is blanketed in darkness the sun sets. The night is absolute, and people are forced to follow the cycle of the sun. When one is cold, one seeks out the searing rays. When one is warm, one hides behind the abundant shadows in the streets.
There is very little nightlife outside of Thamel, where the expats gather, in Katmandu. Nightlife is a luxury that takes light and energy for granted. It gives us gather and illuminates our lives and the places we frequent. For the places that have so much light, is it too difficult to share a little with others, or at least to point it in other directions every now and then to see what is in the periphery shadows around us and infinite shadows beyond?
Having light is nothing special, but it is not a granted; we simply happened to be born into places that have it. We didn’t even have to walk into it like this woman did.