Very early this morning David and I walked to
Patan Durbar Square, the first time for both of us since the devastating
earthquake last April. Patan Durbar
Square is a Unesco World Hertiage site and was one of the hardest hit areas in
Patan. It contains the original temples
constructed in the 1600’s some of which crumbled during the earthquake. I had mixed feelings while there this
morning. On one hand I was heartbroken
to see the damage done to the extraordinary temples, on the other hand I was
heartened to see how many temples still remain standing, albeit propped up with
scaffolding. Everywhere are neatly
stacked piles of red bricks and roof tiles recovered in the months after the earthquake,
presumably to be used in reconstruction projects.
The slogan “We will rise again” is seen on
various walls around Patan, often associated with pictures of temples that fell in the earthquake. It symbolizes the resilience of the Nepalese
people, looking ahead towards a stronger more stable future.
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