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Published: August 7th 2007
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Hare Krishna
as i was on the balcony of nirvana, i was delighted to hear and see a group of people singing "hare krishna" as they strolled down the street with instruments and a megaphone. my heart is racing, i can't stop shaking my legs.
today and yesterday have been challenging. natalie's bank card isn't working in the machine. her bank said her account is fine, so it's a matter of paying a three percent charge to get money without using the machine. she's annoyed. in fact she just told me this. she's also been trying to get in contact with her airlines to change her return ticket. that's proving impossible. phones die, can't understand automated voice, it's the wrong time of day to call, etc.
these things will pass.
we've had a lot to do before entering the retreat. we must be there in an hour. i'm excited, it's coming at just the right time. the lessons will include topics such as:
* the mind and emotions
* karma
* rebirth
* love and compassion
* the nature of reality
and not having to talk anymore will be a blessing.
yesterday we spent practically the whole day in different restaurants, eating, reading, taking deep breaths.
we had one excursion to the -tibetan medical and astrological institute- only to discover we will have to wait approx. one year to get a
natalie being sneaky
natalie took this picture as i was being served the best hot apple cider. we all laughed because the guy serving us didn't know until he saw the flash. birth chart done! they said it takes about two days to construct and they're so full that they can't take any more at this time.
we were sad but they said we can do it over the computer, and who knows maybe we'll be back in a year.
natalie wants to study at the medical and astro college but she'd have to be fluent in tibetan first... we checked out the museum. saw thangka paintings of astrological charts and medical teachings. saw traditional medicines...
in tibetan medicine it is essential to study physiology/medicine and astrological science (which is a combination of astrology and astronomy) in order to accurately diagnose, this is because well-being is thought to be caused by both outside and inside influences. the paintings showed us how much is considered when treating, the healer even watches for omens as he/she travels to meet the patient. how amazing it was to walk into a building that has signs towards the "astrological department"
when we were ready to go back up the hill, we felt the need to get a ride. it's a looong walk up the mountain. some men assured us that we could get a
natalie on nirvana balcony
we're here everyday it seems. ride with a truck about to head up. as it rolls up we climb into the back, a truck with a hard top canopy. there are five tibetans already in the back. natalie and i sit across from each other as i grab her leg to keep stable on the bumpy ride. the old man beside me says something i can't understand and grabs my hand and puts it on his knee, i assume he was saying, "don't reach to hold on to her, you can hold here" haha...
the two younger boys asked us where we were from, saying again, that i don't look like a foreigner, and asking natalie if she could refer him to a teacher... for english. lots of bumps later, we're back to the heart of mcleod ganj.
we head to our favorite hang out -nirvana community cafe- for the second time in the day. they were having open mic that night, a guy tried to convince me to read my poetry, saying he saw me writing something that looked like poetry, i insisted that i would do no such thing, but he put my name down anyway. we ended up leaving before it
fog
can you see it? imagine it pouring into the room... like we were on the set of some mystical play, who knows what will happen next. began, natalie still having to solve her difficulties with bank and flight.
at one point when we were there, the fog was so thick that it came flooding into the cafe, i quite enjoyed that.
after that we collected some sweets, again. they weren't so good so we carried them to another place.
we've had some delicious treats here.
i got my photos for our entry to see the dalai lama.
and then we woke today, yay!
gave our leftover bread, peanut butter, and jam, and fruit to a nice man on the street.
met the guy from our jewelry class and told him we couldn't make the hindu ceremony. we were very very sad about this, but there just wasn't enough time to travel there, stay for a short time, get back, expect to be on time to tushita with all we have to do before we leave.
but we will visit them for some crystals when we return.
today after breakfast, as we were standing outside looking at some blankets, i feel a tap on my shoulder. i turn around, not seeing anyone.
i swear to you my first instinct was that it was
open mic
bringing out instruments for the evening some sort of spirit or god touching me, i know it sounds silly but i felt it to be completely possible here.
but i look at natalie and say, "who tapped my shoulder?"
...and she points to the ground behind me, "that boy"
haha... this really cute little boy had tapped me and got down to the floor at my feet so i would turn around and not see him.
i loved it.
i asked him his name, laughed, and walked away with a very pleasant memory.
i love kids, soooooooo much.
heading up the mountain. thank you for your support. be well.
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Excellent
Great photos Jessica. Take care!