Blogs from Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia - page 9

Saturday 7th June. Today we are in the hills again having left the scorching plains of India. It took us 6 hours of travelling by car, the 200 ks to Dharamsala. We drove on very busy roads often pitted with pot-holes, and in quite a few places the road had all been partially washed away by last year's monsoon. Our driver, Dal is careful and slow! I reckon I could have got here in half the bleeding time had I been driving! Anyway, we got here safely at 3pm. As soon as we entered Himachal Pradesh from the Punjab we noticed that the roads improved dramatically, and the houses had slated roofs - or at least the older ones did. As we started to climb, we started to see the same landscape as we had previously ... read more

my trip has come to an end - the 10 day study of eastern philosophy - mainly tibetan buddhism at a retreat was great - an amazing experience, the dalai lamas translator for 14 years came and gave us a talk too which was tops. in the past few days i went to a sufi concert with about 20 people and another friend from central america turned up and we caught up which was ace. 3 of us also hiked to the mountain nearby to the hillstation at triand, no electricity, no water and 6000ft up and above the clouds, the photos do not do it justice. the hike was tough and had to carry 30kg too. was somuch fun up there. what a great trip - i learned so much and met some amazing people ... read more

'Drift through the skies, as souls collide, cont.' Sunday, 18 May 2008 - Bir, Himachal Pradesh, 20:46 pm During our time relaxing in the Tibetan colony of Bir, in Himachi Pradesh, we had some fun entertaining the kids there. Stef who I am traveling with at the moment, used to be a professional clown for ten years, doing magic for kids. He is also a Paul McKenna style hypnotist, where he creates a show on stage making people do funny things, whilst hypnotized. So, when walking around town, Stef finds it very entertaining to gather together a group of very enthusiastic kids to show some magic to. These kids then wouldnÕt leave us alone for about 25 minutes, asking for just one last trick. A few days later we make a visit to the Tibetan monks ... read more

a few words on seeing the dali lama speak yesterday... walking into a sea of monks...bald heads and round bodies decorated in maroon and yellow robes. hands in prayer position, bowing heads, voices expressing mantras, and delicately moving mala beads. all attention forward focusing on the sacred words of the dali lama with all do highest respect. a small figure that barely fits over the podium captures the mind, body, and soul of hundreds. energy more powerful than words, for his presence is enough. persistently reminding us all to purify the subtle mind, to reach dharma- complete freedom from suffering, and to motivate within to be a positive service to all beings. the mind has no beginning...no end... we are all naturally pure... these words resonate within me as i apply them to the reality that ... read more

Jo and I are currently sporting the ever so stylish 'drowned rat' look. I swear there's more water outside than air at the moment. The weekend we spent at Tashijong was amazing. Music and cards and laughter all the night, and spicy chips and chocolate, and watching Tenzin, Tsultrim and Gelek (well, mainly Tenzin) dance (these being Chris and Felix's monks -- Tashijong is where they teach). Played 'Last Card' (Uno with a normal pack of cards) and I watched my first ever section of Robin Hood - Men in Tights on Chris' iPod, sitting on Felix's bed with one of the monks with the other earphone. I've now been covered in chalk dust for 16 hours. I enjoy it. Chalk runs out quickly though. Trying to get to Shimla from the 11th-15th, if we get ... read more