Events

Word warriors live

Word warriors live, poetry by the garden with Kathmandu’s best slam poets. Free entrance, 14 December, 3 to 5pm, The Yellow House, Sanepa, theyellowhouse.com.np/contact.html

Tell your story, make a 1-2 min video about how girls are changing the world; contest open to girls aged 12 to 25, winner takes $10,000. Deadline 31 December, www.letgirlslead.org

Tree of life, an exhibition of the paintings on the Mithila cosmos by SC Suman. Runs till 6 January, 5.30pm, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babarmahal

Degree maila, watch this humorous play on contemporary Nepali society.Runs till 15 December, 4.30pm, except Mondays, Mandala Theatre, Anamnagar, 016924269

Child and family photography workshop, learn how to take photos of your child before it grows up. Rs 3,500, 19 to 21 December, 7 to 9.30pm, 9841279544/9841240341

Bihani film, watch two films ‘Search’ and ‘Serendipity’ by filmmaker Govinda

Siwakoti, food and beverage afterwards. Rs 500, 13 December, Nanmlo Gardens Restaurant, Patan

Seed freedom, food freedom, a lecture by world-renowned environmental leader and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award Vandana Shiva.22 December, 3pm, Shanker Hotel, Lajimpat

Climate+Change, an awe-inspiring educational science exhibition about climate change and Nepal's Himalaya. December to April, Nepal Art Council

Merry Christmas, deck the halls with bows of folly. 25 December

Super Saturday, table-topping Arsenal visit challengers Manchester City. 13 December, 6pm, Reggae Bar, Thamel

Uphill, downhill

The 11th edition of Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival is upon us. Here is a selection of films from the International and Nepali Panorama competitions.

13 December

Main Hall

11am, winner of the Why Poverty competition

12.30pm, Sky burial,

dir. Tad Fettig, 12’; Kamlahari,

dir. Cristoph Schwaiger, 52’

2.30pm, Playing with Nan,

dir. Dipesh Kharel/Asami Saito, 88’

4.30pm, Chasing rainbows,

dir. Sahara Sharma, 88’

Annex

12pm, The odd sound out, dir. Pernille Sihm & Idamaria

Schouwandreasean, 6.5’; No

place is far away, dir. Michelle Ibaven, 75’

2pm, audio-video presentation by Gerda Pauler on the Great Himalayan Trail

4pm, In the shadow of the sun,

dir. Harry Freeland, 84’

14 December

Main Hall

11am, Life at altitude, dir. Qiao Yan, 18’; To sing to live, dir. Zhao Gang, 62’

1pm, Antim Yatra,

dir. Keshab Pandey, 33’; Mani,

dir. Ella Chay Yin Chi & Sonam Lama, 45’

3pm, When Hari got married,

dir. Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam, 75’

5pm, Red Monsoon,

dir. Eelum Dixit, 88’

Annex

11.30am, A drop of gold, dir. Christope Peladen, 11’; The hanging village,

dirs. Veronique, Anne, and Erik Lapied, 70’

1.30pm, The blinding sunlight,

dir. Yu Liu, 85’

3.30pm, Journey for happiness,

dir. Marie Veno Thesbjerg, 22’; Breathing the smell of the sky,

dir. Benoit Aymon, 52’

15 December

Main Hall

11am, Himalaya Bhotia between Nepal and Tibet, dir. Denis Olivier Poulet, 75’

1pm, Lost dreams, dir. Ankit KC, 6’; Jhyauli, dir. Rakesh Kayastha, 30’; Chora,

dir. Subarna Thapa, 25’

3pm, Memoria, dir. Elisabet Yr Atladottir, 7’; Mustang Rising,

dir. Amitabh Subedi, 73’

5pm, Closing and prize distribution; The Epic of Everest, dir. John Noel, 85’

Annex

11.30am, A new perspective, dir. Corey Rich, 9’; The hidden path, dir. Hossein Jehani, 20’; 86 centimeters, dir. Tshering Gyelsthen & Peter Burgh,

39’

1.30pm, a talk by Stephen Goodwin on mountain tourism journalism 3pm, Loden – the little monk, dir. Andre Hormann, 25’; Mission to Caucasus, dir. Marco Preti, 52’

11 to 15 December

City Hall, Exhibition Road

(01)4440635, www.kimff.org

A green Christmas

If Bing Crosby’s song ‘White Christmas’ is hammering in your head this season, look for a green Christmas next week. After all, it's the season to be eco-friendly.

Instead of chopping down fresh pine trees and branches, you can have a small tree in a pot, look after it throughout the year, and then when Christmas finally arrives you already have the habit of making it grow. Or why not follow the

tradition in the Philippines where fresh pine trees are too expensive and locals prefer to make decorations out of bamboo stalks and then decorate them with lights?

But, perhaps the best option is to plant poinsettias inside and outside the house,

its red petals the perfect symbol of Christmas.


Dining

Dragon Chinese Restaurant

Dragon Chinese Restaurant, try the Kung Pao Pork if alone and the Mai Cao if with company. Lakeside, Pokhara

Trisara, with dishes like flambeed prawns, crispy chicken, and khao soi, it would be a folly to ignore its aromas. Lajimpat

Bubbly Brunch, the best of the Mediterranean in shawarma and pasta. Rs 1,100, 11am to 3pm, Shambala Garden and Club Sundhara, Hotel Shangri-la, Lajimpat, (01)4412999 ext. 7520, 7515

Mike’s Breakfast, huge breakfasts and an endless supply of coffee amidst a lush garden setting characterise this cafe, popular among tourists and locals alike. Naxal, (01)4424303

Tass and Tawa, savour a wide variety of Nepali meat dishes and reserve your palate for the heavenly Chusta. Pulchowk, Kathmandu

Fuji Bakery, tucked in Chakupat this bakery offers homemade goodies like apple pie, pain du chocolat, and banana cake. Chakupat, Lalitpur

Mulchowk, the blend of culinary expertise and charms of a bygone era. Babarmahal

Chilly Bar and Restaurant, quality food and wide selection of drinks with great

views of Phewa Lake. Lakeside, Hallanchok, Pokhara, (061)463614/463163

Le Sherpa, past the dustbowl chaos on the road outside is culinary paradise. Panipokhari, Lajimpat

Falcha, give yourself away to the twin pleasures of lemon jeera chicken and mutton handi kabab. Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur

Club Amsterdam and Café Bar, great food, exotic cocktails, live band, BBQ, and more. Lakeside, Pokhara, (061)463427

Noyoz, this tiny little joint serves food that tastes like your mother’s home-cooking. Bhatbhateni


Cinemas


Getaways

Pokhara Grande

Pokhara Grande, a swimming pool to escape from the tropic heat, a massage parlour and spa to loosen up and a gymnasium to release stress- great options all around. Lakeside, Pokhara

Himalayan wellness centre, a one-stop centre for a relaxed mind and a healthy body. Park Village Hotel, Budhanilkantha, open all week, 9801066661, www.himalayanwellness.com.np

Mango Tree Lodge, culture walks, rafting in the Karnali, wildlife exploration, and jungle safari at the Bardia National Park. Bhetani, Bardia, info@mangotreelodge.com

Atithi Resort, a perfect place to stay, nearby pool, massage, sauna, and delicious food of your choice. Shantipatan, Lakeside, Pokhara, (61)466760, (01)4002077


Music

Starry Night BBQ

Starry Night BBQ, catch Ciney Gurung live as you munch on tenderloin. Rs 1,499, 7pm onwards, Shambala Garden Café, Hotel Shangri-la, Lajimpat, (01)4412999, Ext. 7520, 7515

Christmas jam, live concert by Adrian Pradhan and Sabin Rai. 24 December, 6pm onwards, Tamarind Restro, Jhamsikhel & Embassy Restaurant, Panipokhari

Kripa Unplugged, young Nepali musicians and seasoned veterans give an acoustic rendition of their favourite songs. 8.30pm and 10.30pm on Saturdays, TTV, www.youtube.com/user/KripaUnplugged

Shastriya Sangeet, dabble in the magic of Hindustani classical music every new moon night. 1 January, 3.30pm, Ram Mandir, Battisputali

Cancion del Mariachi, listen to latin and gypsy jazz w ith Monsif Mzibri and Hari Maharjan and drink jugs of sangria. Every Saturday, 7pm onwards, New Orleans Cafe, Jhamsikhel

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