Nunastic lifestyle

Life has been most agreeable as of late. I just moved to the Nunnery guest house, in a cozy room with many windows and hot water. Not to worry, I've not become a nun, this would require far too many disagreeable lifestyle (and gender) changes for my liking. I wake up every morning to the pleasant clang of gongs, and I drift asleep to the droning chants of three dozen red robed nuns outside my window.

A brush with the Dalai Lama

A few months back when this woman sobbed, "I saw His Holiness! It was so moving, I can't help but cry," I thought to myself, "Oh good grief. I know he's an incredible spiritual being, but seriously, all he did was drive by you in a car."

I woke up early last week and stumbled upon rows upon rows of Tibetans lining the street, waiting. It became clear that the Dalai Lama would be passing by, so I joined them, just to see what the fuss was about. Along he came, riding in the passenger seat of an old white car. For just a few moments, I caught a clear glimpse of his long oval head adorned with his thick glasses. I felt rather choked up, along with a pleasant sense of awe.

Happy Diwali!!!

Celebrated Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, this past weekend. Everyone lights candles, hangs colorful decor, eats sweet snacks, dances the night away, and ignites the town ablaze with the most amazing rural fireworks performance imaginable. I love India - the lack of strict regulation makes anything possible! Today, for example, I didn't fit on the bus so I clambered onto the roof of the thing, all the while ducking to avoid tree branches and electric wires. Nobody seemed to care as long as I paid my fare.

So, back to Diwali, and the lack of regulations: Fireworks are sold freely, of all magnificent shapes and sizes, to all ages. Eight year old Tibetan kiddies stand on the road setting off glass-shattering explosions that terrify every dog in a five mile radius. At night, looking down into the valley, one can see a dozen rockets shooting into the sky at any given time, many of them exploding into brilliant blossoms of color. Which so much poverty, I can't imagine how folks afford such a festival; even the children of Charan had bags of firecrackers (though they were likely purchased by a tourist). It's interesting (and often nice) to live in a community that values celebration over whatever difficult living conditions one must face.

Cheers!

Return to India

After a restful and festive vacation back home in Boston, I arrived back in McLeod Ganj this morning. Amy waited two hours (my bus was late) to greet me - what a treat, to see a dear friend after such a long journey!

Some highlights of my month back home: Jeff and Nicole's wedding, of course! Jeff and Nicole's big yummy Greek dinner; playing videogames with Jon and Tim; going on runs through Medford with Ulandt, Pauline, Andy and Luke; visiting art galleries with Mom and Boon; Mary's fundraiser wine tasting event; hanging out with super-cool chica C-roo; rubbing Guski's bald noggin' for good luck; the list goes on and on...

And so, after a bit of catching up and re-acclamating myself, it'll be back to work! KWEH!