Friday, February 11, 2005

Arrived in Mirik on Schedule

I'm writing this at just past noon on Saturday, February 12, in Darjeeling.

We arrived in Mirik, West Bengal, India on schedule a few days ago. Internet access is limited. Today we took a day trip to Darjeeling, and I'm happily established in Glenary's using their Internet cafe. Believe it or not, they're out of tea at Glenary's in the city whose name is synonymous with good tea. So I enjoyed some coffee and Char had a lime soda.

The flight from Calcutta to Bagdogra was uneventful. Char sat next to an Indian who lives mostly in Sikkim, and sometimes in Calcutta. He teaches yoga. They had quite a chat. There's something about Char that invites anyone and everyone to tell her their life's story.

We made the drive up to Mirik in record time. I swear it took just over an hour. An experienced driver (that means at least middle aged) didn't say a word the whole trip, completely absorbed in his driving. After the first few near misses of cows, dogs and people, Char and I settled back and enjoyed the ride. No one passed us the entire trip up the mountain.

Arrived in Mirik about 4:30 pm and ran into Anthony Kimple as we checked into the Ratnagiri Hotel. Anthony left for a few days in Darjeeling before heading to Japan. Char and I went right to bed upon arrival. Woke up a few times in the night, but got some much needed rest.

Took it very easy on our first full day in Mirik, hardly venturing out of the hotel. They now have a rather nice restaurant at the Ratnagiri. We went down for breakfast and watched the owner's son, run out to get what we ordered for breakfast. Since then, we've enjoyed early morning tea and breakfast in our room each day.

Yesterday, Friday, February 11, Ngodrip arranged for us to visit Khenpo Lodro Donyod. He was praying at the new Shangpa retreat center. Had a short, but very moving visit with him. He seems very changed since Bokar Rinpoche's death. Still a very inspiring presence.

Toured the new monastery and the Shangpa retreat center. Both are very beautiful and impressive. The new monastery building dominates the top of the hill now, dwarfing the old monastery. The new retreat center is almost finished. The retreatants have been assigned their rooms and are in the process of setting them up. Eric Triebelhorn is doing the three-year retreat here starting in a few weeks. Eric got one of the best rooms, right next to the shrine room with a great view (that he won't have time to enjoy). The room was locked, but I took some pictures through the vent over the door. Told Eric that we installed a web cam and would know when he was practicing. We'll bring back plenty of pictures of Eric going into retreat.

Saw Lama Lodro from San Francisco as we were touring the monastery.

Dechen Dawkins arrived the day before yesterday. We had dinnner with her and Eric last night at Sewong's house where they are both staying. We'll proably eat at Sewong's at Ngudrop's suggestion during the empowerments. Lot easier than going back down to the village. It's quite a hike, and my knees aren't up to it.

The empowerments will start a day late on the 15th, but are expected to end on time and we still plan to leave Mirik on the 28th. You will probably not hear from us again until after the empowerments.

Leanna from Salt Spring Island in Canada, forgot that she needed a visa for India and has been delayed. Char got an email from her telling us she is still trying to make it to India for the empowerments.

Well, I think that's it for this time. Don't expect any more until after the empowerments.

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