presentperfect

Hi friends and family. I am nearing the end of a fantastic journey through India. I have been from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains to the southern tip of India and a lovely fishing village called Kochi. I have been from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. I have met alot of people from all over the world, eaten interesting foods I've never eaten and in ways I am not accostumed to. I have seen temple after temple after ancient temple, as well as mosques churches and even the grand daddy, the Taj Mahal. I have learned to know Kripa better through experiencing her country of birth, the country that raised her. I have learned to know myself better through trials with different people and situations and through the mere experience of being ... read more

So I'm off on my travels alone. Alone meaning, without a partner, a companion, a trusting friend to talk to and enjoy the sights and experiences, but what I've realized is that no one is ever alone in India. This country is huge, and it seems that there are people inhabiting every nook and cranny of it. In fact, what I've seen more often is two or three people in one little bit of space. Three on a motorcyle, for example, or 42 on a bus for which the maximum recommended capacity is 20. What leaves my jaw slack in awe though, is how many people do not have a private toilet. This is what this trip is teaching me; There are too many poeple who don't have a toilet! As I rode the train ... read more

I am depressed lately. It has been an experience as never before. The poverty, the hopelessness is such a powerful reality for most people here, it leaves one feeling sick. My friend - S is a leper. She has not one finger on her hand, neither any toes. She can barely see through her thick non-functional glasses. I am also guessing that she has no hair on her head. She wears a wig and a red scarf over it. She has the loveliest smile and the kindest heart. This is what I have been wondering lately- how one can contain as much love as she does, as much joy as she does, when most of what she has experienced in her life is rejection, avoidance and loneliness? There are several people who come to the program. ... read more

This is where we moved to, on the 26th of April. We were living in Tibetan Ashoka Guest House in McLeoed Gunj. We decided to move away from the city (yup, we will come right back) to the quieter little village of Bhagsu. Bhagsu was nothing by hills about four years ago. Now, it is hopping with modern hotels, guest houses, and a ton of people from Israel. Here is where the party is at! One tip, now on when you try to picture this part of the world, please throw in Yoga, massage and meditation centers, as many as you wish. Get creative. Let them be of all shapes, sizes, textures and smells, energies (and auras). Forgive me, I get carried away. So, a trek up a steep hill is where we chose to stay. ... read more

Here we are at the bar with some of the first Tibeten friends that we met here in McLeod Ganj. I first noticed Shamba on the streets on his motorcyle. He stood out to me because of his dreadlocks (or crude attempt thereof). One night we were at the local tourist bar and Shamba and his friends came in. He and I made eye contact and I gave him the slight upward head nod to signal my solidarity as a fellow person with locks. He later came over to our table and we started a conversation from there. We learned a bit about their history, having arrived in India from Tibet a few years ago. They travelled on foot with a group of about 40 others. They walked through several feet of snow, and travelled mostly ... read more