Arrival in Dharamsala
Trip Start
Dec 14, 2007
1
2
9
Trip End
Jan 06, 2008
Where I stayed
Dharamsala, India
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Just left the Delhi group of 10 or so vols and we'll be
staying with them again the last 2 days when we return from Dharamsala. So it's off to Delhi airport for the 1 hr. 15 min. flight up north.
Interestingly, a few of us were at the airport talking to
this perhaps 60ish lady about something that I really couldn't follow due to
the poor hearing. As I often do, I study a
person's face and expressions to get a sense of that person and what I believe
the conversation is all about. Well,
this lady had such a soft and peaceful presence, that it just was gripping and
tho impactful to me, I just sort of moved on.
Well, later at dinner that night, I remarked as to this lady to one of
the girls who was talking with her, and it turns out her brother is the D'lai
Lama and she was on our flight to I suppose see him as he returns here
tomorrow.
So off the plane we go.
Look around and the Himalayas are spectacular...all snow capped and it
seeming that the peaks are so close. We
all took out our cameras at the airport and immediately the police said no
pictures allowed. Not quite sure why,
but I believe it to be for security of perhaps national defense or such...just my
guess tho.
Into the three vans we go to our home base. It was a 15 minute ride thru this one long,
narrow market street all going up. A few
wandering cows along the way, many dogs and wild monkeys just perched along the
road looking for food handouts...pretty neat.
After about 10 more minutes we arrived.
I've discovered Shangra-la! Yeah,
I know I said that about Ayacucho also but there is something truly
breathtaking about this place. Remote,
yes... simple, yes... it has a bustle to the narrow market street too but in a
bucolic sort of way. But we're dug into
the mountain much like the feel of a ski village.
The CCS house/office is surrounded by our flats where we
live...perhaps 5 or so of them. Most
have 2-3 people in them, a small
kitchen, and a bathroom....except mine.
Somehow I have my own complex. I
have a 2 bedroom flat with 5 beds, full size kitchen, full size private
bathroom and a dining area. And it's
just only me. I suppose age has its
benefits in Indian society tho I just found out that Ed is 82 and has his own
place also, tho he shares a bathroom.
Oh, and above my flat, at the top of the hill and perhaps a 20 minute
walk, is the D'lai Lama's residence and temple.
I've taken picture & hopefully I'll be able to upload it with this
letter.
The group is coming together nicely...just a real friendly
bunch. I couldn't finish this letter
last night as the power went out for 13 hrs. and now it's time for lunch. So, for now, I'll say 'wow' and hope everyone
is well.
