The day before we arrived in Kathmandu a huge storm hit the valley. Lightning struck the Swayambhunath temple complex and did a lot of damage. The whole stupa mount is packed with tourists and monks who have come to survey the damage. The people here believe that the storm and damage are a bad sign and hope that the valley is not in for more trouble due to the damage to this amazing cultural site. The stupa is usually strung with prayer flags but they have all been knocked down giving a rare view of the stupa unadorned. The monkeys that live here seem unaffected by all the extra activity and the living goddess that lives in a tiny room above the shops lining the square seems in good humor.