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Suddenly Nepal's expatriate population has doubled with foreign election observers, journalists and diplomats. And all this is happening in the middle of the tourist season. Hotels are packed, Thamel is crammed.
Many long-term foreign residents of Kathmandu have been part of Nepal's recent history, and have seen it all. They love Nepal, which is why they stuck it out through thick and thin. Living in Nepal they have gotten used to life being more unpredictable than in their own countries. Many have also had the time to form their own views about the complicated world of Nepali politics.
Although they couldn't vote on Thursday like their Nepali neighbours, they are hopeful about the future. "The election is good for democracy but dangerous for peace," says Michael Gallio from Switzerland.
Craig Brown, owner of a software development company, Sustainable Solutions, says the country needs a different kind of revolution. "True greatness comes from having a great heart. Great leaders of the past have understood this, and I hope the Maoists will understand it too," he says.
This week, Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal reiterated his party's commitment to accept the election result. Japanese author Kiyoko Ogura, who wrote Kathmandu Spring, says the leader is likely to keep his promise and is confident that he can rein in his more hot-headed cadres even if the Maoists do badly.
Despite the sporadic violence, most Kathmandu-based expats have no fears for their own safety. "No one ever seems to target foreigners," says Colin Gibson, a volunteer from Scotland, "they are only concerned with fighting each other."