"May all sentient beings be happy"

View from my porch. Photo doesn't do justice. Rivendell is for the birds.

Woke up at sunrise, did some pushups, ate some fish snacks, went out for my first "run" in McLeod Ganj. Roads are too steep to run down, have to avoid obstacle course of cow poop, garbage, vehicles and sleeping puppies. Going uphill involves 20 steps followed by huffing and puffing. Saw a procession of Tibetans going down mountain pathway, so I followed.

Winding mountain forest path weaved past pine trees, views of snow capped peaks, prayer stones, beggars. Passed a sign reading, "May all sentient beings be happy." Eventually came to what looked to be a monastary up on the mountain, but so many prayer flags, statues, and monks obstructed my view. Decided to save the monastary for another time. Turned lots of prayer wheels (will attach photo next time).

Met two friendly German travellers, Mario and Martin, at Indian restaurant (amazing cheap food) last night. Will join them for my first hike tomorrow morning. Drum lessons later today.

So much to see and experience, too little time to write about it all! These are tiny snippets of an overwhelmingly amazing place.