tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106483352024-03-14T00:53:21.800-07:00India, Thailand and Nepal TravelA blog to record Roger and Char's trips to India, Nepal and Thailand. The latest entries cover Roger's trip in August - October 2008.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-46716026193838421842008-09-28T02:44:00.000-07:002008-09-28T21:15:48.557-07:00Okayti is OK Tea<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoSpj4YeyMG00l4Bla6jm-1jCWUJmQbZkr8FxWtY-tAnFLENqf8CLLTNswLlNQbU4PfxKZad5ISb0gi_Qbv47z6bfctrChYuyJ6S7GQDq6W50UOUIHdbnDbRL53MNbdpqTrjf/s1600-h/okayti_-5485.jpg"><img style="margin:10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoSpj4YeyMG00l4Bla6jm-1jCWUJmQbZkr8FxWtY-tAnFLENqf8CLLTNswLlNQbU4PfxKZad5ISb0gi_Qbv47z6bfctrChYuyJ6S7GQDq6W50UOUIHdbnDbRL53MNbdpqTrjf/s200/okayti_-5485.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251013197515109298" /></a><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPDVqNZ6c4FJ37nxPvodBqKQKg7niLc-GZN7Q4HjU6WDNljErn3chDlXIwNvLfEaLgzpJ0xhCzAx-tZ2qgpOMi9PWuornDuMZKCSw0V6qRasc44Ruwem3RsCsJdQzu2DJTO7a/s1600-h/okayti_-5521.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:5px 0 0 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPDVqNZ6c4FJ37nxPvodBqKQKg7niLc-GZN7Q4HjU6WDNljErn3chDlXIwNvLfEaLgzpJ0xhCzAx-tZ2qgpOMi9PWuornDuMZKCSw0V6qRasc44Ruwem3RsCsJdQzu2DJTO7a/s200/okayti_-5521.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251013200556779234" /></a>On September 23 the owner of the Hotel Ratnagiri graciously took me on a tour of the Okayti Tea Estate. A short 20 minute drive from Mirik over some very narrow, rough roads revealed many acres of a tea estate with its numerous workers spread over several kilometers picking the tea. The tea plants have lovely small blossoms, which we never see in the final product.</p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWRQFC0iyv2JPNKCpYF1ZAOELw2BQ4cjrXSR55OhvIXRi7VFo0tevvOi66gl4PrUG1zDfHwHqE8JCbROU7w_E6sSbt7_Ev9FzyQgvS3gfknCRSSe8ki9dI2EI_2oTqTF5w9fh/s1600-h/okayti_-5495.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 5px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWRQFC0iyv2JPNKCpYF1ZAOELw2BQ4cjrXSR55OhvIXRi7VFo0tevvOi66gl4PrUG1zDfHwHqE8JCbROU7w_E6sSbt7_Ev9FzyQgvS3gfknCRSSe8ki9dI2EI_2oTqTF5w9fh/s200/okayti_-5495.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251022210508506930" /></a>The tea estate borders Nepal, separated only by a small stream that people seem to flow back and forth across at will. I didn't see any soldiers or officials. Many Nepalis bring their products across the border via horse or donkey to sell them in India and return the same day.<br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57G_-HmLUOzJuVErA4TBQ8MMh0XbLh78ZWJy4YfyFm8YIaQMw_2OxieV24C_9bRGy-m35ZNST7mM4fgzPCrExQrKB8P4j7IeELRW6DKFvUHfIHBnGVV4mCits4YmvGzb4T0hs/s1600-h/okayti_-5467.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 5px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57G_-HmLUOzJuVErA4TBQ8MMh0XbLh78ZWJy4YfyFm8YIaQMw_2OxieV24C_9bRGy-m35ZNST7mM4fgzPCrExQrKB8P4j7IeELRW6DKFvUHfIHBnGVV4mCits4YmvGzb4T0hs/s200/okayti_-5467.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251015872841851250" /></a><br />I've never given tea production much thought. What's to do? You pick it and dry it and put it in a box. Not quite that simple in real life, and certainly the scale of the process makes it anything but simple. The tea is of course picked, and gathered in a drying room where warm air is passed over and under it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhT_hnO3Gf3PFQ8C6LruSIVdQyO4Drl2C5Ce-mTIm9CzGzTdW8T9Kbr5pthHU6PMfmt4zcqHKqhH0VYL701qFfnrUG4ljnlRuAI1NZwyn95YXKAgKxoNjj8zsMbE_ksLcKTI2/s1600-h/okayti_-5472.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 5px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhT_hnO3Gf3PFQ8C6LruSIVdQyO4Drl2C5Ce-mTIm9CzGzTdW8T9Kbr5pthHU6PMfmt4zcqHKqhH0VYL701qFfnrUG4ljnlRuAI1NZwyn95YXKAgKxoNjj8zsMbE_ksLcKTI2/s200/okayti_-5472.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251015875408674386" /></a></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7oRFK-YK-tyRM9Li-l8CQbMtnq6V8b_sZiEpm6N-w19xJ1gNFrEHkfK3K9pFMVG5GL5x4kyNayGvnkFpUptvQxMZrAXZifDmThCmG-AQCYBVLH0cao7KeTUnl50h6Rcy1HzW/s1600-h/okayti_-5474.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7oRFK-YK-tyRM9Li-l8CQbMtnq6V8b_sZiEpm6N-w19xJ1gNFrEHkfK3K9pFMVG5GL5x4kyNayGvnkFpUptvQxMZrAXZifDmThCmG-AQCYBVLH0cao7KeTUnl50h6Rcy1HzW/s200/okayti_-5474.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251017606805224482" /></a><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNisQNRnCYWa9B6pMCb_yWJD8kaUmhVJaQyZUnBYZh0DG1szZie6ZC2kW8jh_pVL_xUJf7iiQX8gvlThTNvon9bYtGVBmnB7xhqVuSO_UCJKpFtXcAWNWUXrKT9iboyUUrRtdp/s1600-h/okayti_-5475.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNisQNRnCYWa9B6pMCb_yWJD8kaUmhVJaQyZUnBYZh0DG1szZie6ZC2kW8jh_pVL_xUJf7iiQX8gvlThTNvon9bYtGVBmnB7xhqVuSO_UCJKpFtXcAWNWUXrKT9iboyUUrRtdp/s200/okayti_-5475.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251018781870275106" /></a>It then goes through several stages of grinding and sifting until different degrees of fineness are segregated by a large shaking machine sorting the tea into plastic buckets, emptied by attentive tea workers. In fact all of the machines are large. This is purportedly the oldest tea making facility in Darjeeling area, and produces its own electricity and hot water for drying the tea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN3bz-9LRJp_Zn-fC8xD2DDIu4y7BKNwtZN1aMRp8fRGmVfbLzYnzTvID0ur2U5Y1NwK-ExfKzh33hil1Uxm6CCRUHSPnj72Z0t9r6-aoSCVBePfT5FvGFGH4sSbSX8ytBQZi/s1600-h/okayti_-5479.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN3bz-9LRJp_Zn-fC8xD2DDIu4y7BKNwtZN1aMRp8fRGmVfbLzYnzTvID0ur2U5Y1NwK-ExfKzh33hil1Uxm6CCRUHSPnj72Z0t9r6-aoSCVBePfT5FvGFGH4sSbSX8ytBQZi/s200/okayti_-5479.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251018780386205122" /></a></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GdMO5vNL0eMG5-Zlc-y77SY5noowOkx6ApsKei49ytwEywFZbiWVHidJGjkHWVxKAxBMIsOo3Cg_XXWjpjX4dmBTCnNbxqBrJq5AMlnYlXAq7tIxYfCiFz7v7TUWmx02gBHe/s1600-h/okayti_-5481.jpg"><img style="margin:5px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GdMO5vNL0eMG5-Zlc-y77SY5noowOkx6ApsKei49ytwEywFZbiWVHidJGjkHWVxKAxBMIsOo3Cg_XXWjpjX4dmBTCnNbxqBrJq5AMlnYlXAq7tIxYfCiFz7v7TUWmx02gBHe/s200/okayti_-5481.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251018780314225810" /></a><p>The strong smell of tea is everywhere and most of the workers wear masks to protect their lungs from the tea dust that covers every surface and is somewhat slippery.</p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnjCEe_xFXHm8_oH39lo43NoNSA6i88NNU9iFqTD1vWkBje394qy9mMmzHIfuCnRtSyfRU6K24N_U_jvaTHNKrOhj6koU0OE-dWIOH9QLjReWqKhdIgIKxoMMnD-IyxRQLBO2/s1600-h/okayti_-5482.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnjCEe_xFXHm8_oH39lo43NoNSA6i88NNU9iFqTD1vWkBje394qy9mMmzHIfuCnRtSyfRU6K24N_U_jvaTHNKrOhj6koU0OE-dWIOH9QLjReWqKhdIgIKxoMMnD-IyxRQLBO2/s200/okayti_-5482.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251020026361128866" /></a>The final stage is a hand sifting in a large room. Never did find out how it gets into the packages. Oh well, maybe that will be revealed on another trip.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-64995637945373381782008-09-27T20:22:00.000-07:002008-09-27T20:50:19.679-07:00Shedra Visit<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4tDxGJT2pvaennx_iiV5_vtWIqFkjd6Kjl6RwIHCVXs93mM71KIwYCcigEwNHY-PUCUaJXPo07vwTEiD_LF2OuzRKWsYX0RNkagV5WyKypB699v8LlHE1TT8NIhr1rP_3J45/s1600-h/DSC_5703.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4tDxGJT2pvaennx_iiV5_vtWIqFkjd6Kjl6RwIHCVXs93mM71KIwYCcigEwNHY-PUCUaJXPo07vwTEiD_LF2OuzRKWsYX0RNkagV5WyKypB699v8LlHE1TT8NIhr1rP_3J45/s200/DSC_5703.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250911073535976050" /></a>On September 24, my next to last day in India this trip, Ngodup and I visited the shedra (monastic university) being constructed about 2 hours from Siliguri. The existing shedra is located in South India and is not practical because of the distance from Bokar Monastery, requiring many days travel to get back and forth. The new shedra is still under construction, but a lot has been accomplished in the last two years.</p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4PIDca7DEF-oy9ZY_ZsX3hNev_ZJmXQwQezfyaVMZc-sz7OQPHb_LkVANa3cbTjD9Ni3Ej-1dDS64Ur_PjcbDP2qkbkxoW6JxPPLBP5VRq0exXv2zRu0qXbOhHYC_72tjThyphenhyphen/s1600-h/DSC_5676.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4PIDca7DEF-oy9ZY_ZsX3hNev_ZJmXQwQezfyaVMZc-sz7OQPHb_LkVANa3cbTjD9Ni3Ej-1dDS64Ur_PjcbDP2qkbkxoW6JxPPLBP5VRq0exXv2zRu0qXbOhHYC_72tjThyphenhyphen/s200/DSC_5676.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250911366115378178" /></a>The main building housing the main shrineroom, a Tara shrine, library with computer cataloging, monks quarters, Rinpoche quarters and quarters for the Karmapa is HUGE! The main Buddha statue in the shrine room is over 50 feet tall, and will be flanked by two slightly smaller statues. All of this under a huge roof with no internal supports, so everyone will have an unobstructed view of whatever ceremonies or teachings are held here. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OWEcHxJi_wIh58vQVU87BeJXXHmDCATBYaqnrrnZQfLBgbMy0eBVucrnaTofp8mTHphyphenhyphenufD8JfQDrFADEbZXaAqSlN_uzqGpwMQC1wJoyKRZ_ofyN4oXmNZ3dNbMwBN0qiN5/s1600-h/DSC_5687.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OWEcHxJi_wIh58vQVU87BeJXXHmDCATBYaqnrrnZQfLBgbMy0eBVucrnaTofp8mTHphyphenhyphenufD8JfQDrFADEbZXaAqSlN_uzqGpwMQC1wJoyKRZ_ofyN4oXmNZ3dNbMwBN0qiN5/s200/DSC_5687.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250913102680501506" /></a>It is envisioned that the Mahamudra or Yidam seminars might be held in the 'smaller' Tara shrine that would easily accommodate a few hundred people.</p><br /><p>The 20+ acre complex is large by Indian standards and is located far from any major population centers. A very small village, a tea estate and military land form the boundaries of the site and assure that any development will be limited to one side, through which the road leads to the shedra from the main highway.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63HcOwYQtkCud3m-quk1puoQKhcfHLB3qLqj-CeyLOdt_RV_jPl8v53QMuIuXLFvwOOESbtsrBM0_sJoPA3v3iUpAeqiyClkXinXgtonkZqj8LpFMoePIizdemKAW0kVs75Jl/s1600-h/DSC_5685.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63HcOwYQtkCud3m-quk1puoQKhcfHLB3qLqj-CeyLOdt_RV_jPl8v53QMuIuXLFvwOOESbtsrBM0_sJoPA3v3iUpAeqiyClkXinXgtonkZqj8LpFMoePIizdemKAW0kVs75Jl/s200/DSC_5685.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250912100253918642" /></a><br/>Dining HallRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-68918360197193454402008-09-27T02:26:00.000-07:002008-09-27T03:02:20.025-07:00Monks' Soccer Tournament<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKHZvThTMOGKZiQz-FaIh_JVzg1RUy_Oa38dWAZzfa_UsvZ3Q5n35Dnv545yqKlZukdzQTS7oXLLmGgWkCC1X_-ckKtSdcdiz5impb3ZswSUjHYIKEk-kDDIt_eF8rCJ3BUy-/s1600-h/soccer-5045.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKHZvThTMOGKZiQz-FaIh_JVzg1RUy_Oa38dWAZzfa_UsvZ3Q5n35Dnv545yqKlZukdzQTS7oXLLmGgWkCC1X_-ckKtSdcdiz5impb3ZswSUjHYIKEk-kDDIt_eF8rCJ3BUy-/s200/soccer-5045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250632986011324354" /></a>On September 15 Kalu Rinpoche, with Khenpo's blessing, gave the monks a day off to have fun. In monk terms that means only one thing, soccer. A tournament was organized and monks appeared in some pretty professional outfits. Reminds me of that excellent movie, "The Cup". If you haven't watched it, go rent it. Very warm and humorous portrayal of life in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery.</p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_lrOv8fWOFwaeZL16LZTrapqKS8qVDc4AyZZ8zLxCH1WEHh93PKOdxHrGSwko48wTGxfhn3hK4X2DOmJPwhkEvgtAT_lCCmYVL2kGEmd_JwgXVMxGlbgTG_7af-0sA3GxJj6/s1600-h/soccer_game-5218.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_lrOv8fWOFwaeZL16LZTrapqKS8qVDc4AyZZ8zLxCH1WEHh93PKOdxHrGSwko48wTGxfhn3hK4X2DOmJPwhkEvgtAT_lCCmYVL2kGEmd_JwgXVMxGlbgTG_7af-0sA3GxJj6/s200/soccer_game-5218.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250638580887014914" /></a>The 3-year retreatants who just came out of retreat played the retreatants going into retreat. Now even if you've spent the last 3 years sitting on your behinds, you'd think that with Kalu Rinpoche as your manager, and Eric as goal tender, your team should do well. They lost 3-0.</p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGezylkPcBh70TQOP_iesnTzJt1qAX80_NKr0uW0FfMFdVnWJP14Sie36Kqcu79OhursH0BVKxtsZdLj0BsKx99ucHs3SYBF7IySd3PrJme_g0h4mmmjz481eMd7Yk79cxvzEx/s1600-h/soccer-5101.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGezylkPcBh70TQOP_iesnTzJt1qAX80_NKr0uW0FfMFdVnWJP14Sie36Kqcu79OhursH0BVKxtsZdLj0BsKx99ucHs3SYBF7IySd3PrJme_g0h4mmmjz481eMd7Yk79cxvzEx/s200/soccer-5101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250633673225435282" /></a>But a good time was had by all and the event attracted a lot of local spectators. In all there were 6 teams. They played 10 minute halves.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVk_jOogl8KjXhtw6LSnmXdERXVJWyuncc-sboZ6vvTmIrjA9xNgZVX93J4javYY9vkt1WKs4ZSHMiXHH4lFVLX3bmam1lbSbrFDXeHbeLkIHltneTmgqbcMFAWp__g1cRRV/s1600-h/soccer-5095.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVk_jOogl8KjXhtw6LSnmXdERXVJWyuncc-sboZ6vvTmIrjA9xNgZVX93J4javYY9vkt1WKs4ZSHMiXHH4lFVLX3bmam1lbSbrFDXeHbeLkIHltneTmgqbcMFAWp__g1cRRV/s200/soccer-5095.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250639093469997426" /></a>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-17437824176886305752008-09-26T20:43:00.000-07:002008-09-27T03:10:18.841-07:00Kalu Rinpoche Birthday Celebration<p>On September 17 we visited Kalu Rinpoche's monastery in Sonada, near Darjeeling. The occasion marked Rinpoche's 19th birthday and his successful completion of the three-year retreat at Bokar monastery.</p><br /><br /><p>Lama Tsang Tsing from Eugene, Oregon also attended and I caught a picture of him offering a kata to Rinpoche. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FFcuB_2YbYEh3W99bECH_xesC3JBtQiwei-q_fPCG80BiE11iBBpSBy0F0jyCjRevA5wMWVTA4uCkIpVb6TsChcgAmI2wumpfff2Hcz4iQkN1XPrKeUnXlVAdZZRC5a3iJOd/s1600-h/sonada-5335.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FFcuB_2YbYEh3W99bECH_xesC3JBtQiwei-q_fPCG80BiE11iBBpSBy0F0jyCjRevA5wMWVTA4uCkIpVb6TsChcgAmI2wumpfff2Hcz4iQkN1XPrKeUnXlVAdZZRC5a3iJOd/s200/sonada-5335.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250572430588316194" /></a><br /><br />Hundreds, if not thousands, of people attended this event; many of them local people who patiently waited outside held back by a phalanx of the larger monks. It was the longest line of people offering katas that I've ever seen. I could never have remained as patient as Rinpoche, accepting each kata and blessing the person offering it.</p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tohs6WBFqXifxdZPuAfWhngY71K4k4tx2kalM4chx0s4lqc6O7AfFo7iE1WRgmF1RBQlf5UTwpckLPQXEzpx-Ty_igTTiNH4SxHattPfywNFJ-cCBzVgAXBnPlLkrz1jZDWL/s1600-h/sonada-5381.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Tohs6WBFqXifxdZPuAfWhngY71K4k4tx2kalM4chx0s4lqc6O7AfFo7iE1WRgmF1RBQlf5UTwpckLPQXEzpx-Ty_igTTiNH4SxHattPfywNFJ-cCBzVgAXBnPlLkrz1jZDWL/s200/sonada-5381.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250573452973311170" /></a>After a nice lunch which was delayed until about 2:30 due to the large kata line, we returned to Mirik, missing the cake cutting at 6:30 pm; but I did get a picture of some parts of the cake before we left. When constructed, the cake read, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RINPOCHE".</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-53063361904557543812008-09-26T16:56:00.000-07:002008-09-26T18:41:41.244-07:00Trip to Ralang<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloQJEN7vNy441eCFcZSI0Sc0baHcQaBYH7T6LvMEISzCU5UJv6eY9eM9nHJH_6Fme8gLSRvnQLNJ9vsg455B2w_aFYVCw_dikHC4f7rYnO2qvlHDcBRxD-b1LIp4XJXf1G3RK/s1600-h/sikkim-4619.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloQJEN7vNy441eCFcZSI0Sc0baHcQaBYH7T6LvMEISzCU5UJv6eY9eM9nHJH_6Fme8gLSRvnQLNJ9vsg455B2w_aFYVCw_dikHC4f7rYnO2qvlHDcBRxD-b1LIp4XJXf1G3RK/s200/sikkim-4619.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250489724233645122" /></a><br /><p>September 12 we ventured to Ralang in Sikkim to visit H.E. Gyaltsab Rinpoche's monastery. The road to Ralang was an adventure in itself. What normally takes 4 hours, required 8, so it was a long day. Some of the delay was due to an overturned army truck and processing our visas at the border. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNOFRTDoOdW0lgABiwgU1Q8YrqUBsxmj3MlFWPPHb3q0FNWsudxvw9EOxwSpUF6rH5r_6iP0l2twQVqVwiOMqdSyHXr4Tir4tAUOrtBX69vKv2Y8NdTEl1Inu6NmxPGS-o2vy/s1600-h/sikkim-4534.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:5px 10px 10px 0px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNOFRTDoOdW0lgABiwgU1Q8YrqUBsxmj3MlFWPPHb3q0FNWsudxvw9EOxwSpUF6rH5r_6iP0l2twQVqVwiOMqdSyHXr4Tir4tAUOrtBX69vKv2Y8NdTEl1Inu6NmxPGS-o2vy/s200/sikkim-4534.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250503604503255170" /></a><br />While Sikkim is an Indian state, it's proximity to China requires a special permit to visit. The rest of the delay was simply the condition of the roads after monsoon. Some were muddy; others had small rivers running across them. At points there were spectacular views (and drop offs).</p><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN__ttWvMmdtLcF7NQF4nf2eKyZd-cajp7OQ6SSul5Yp4RBLfVZRTR0GthEPEABTdocmoLCLLcQ1bb9ZBrLLU4D1I1mGl7cNuMCfSEOzQnqf0pE-HowR22BwHrhaoZ1wGXhMe/s1600-h/sikkim-4701.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN__ttWvMmdtLcF7NQF4nf2eKyZd-cajp7OQ6SSul5Yp4RBLfVZRTR0GthEPEABTdocmoLCLLcQ1bb9ZBrLLU4D1I1mGl7cNuMCfSEOzQnqf0pE-HowR22BwHrhaoZ1wGXhMe/s200/sikkim-4701.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250506756163736898" /></a>The retreatants offered a thanksgiving offering for all the empowerments and techings offered by Rinpoche. We were also privileged to attend the Red Crown ceremony performed by Rinpoche.</p><br /><br /><p>We stayed at a wonderful little "resort" called the County Inn, which I believe was intended to be the Country Inn. The accommodations were very comfortable at 800 rupees per night and it offered spectacular views of Mount Kunchenjanga, the third highest mountain in the world. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEleMdPKMBE9XWyBoKAFpzE8bhzDzHujQUuP47wHjUMda87eej3Ro02PKkjpBSG7CtpkQ8EcsgUfLdZdzo9qs3bs47i1ZDOi72qqovieACD5IyvOo6MEUPF2Eqp6saUZqY7E_/s1600-h/sikkim-4562.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 5px 0px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEleMdPKMBE9XWyBoKAFpzE8bhzDzHujQUuP47wHjUMda87eej3Ro02PKkjpBSG7CtpkQ8EcsgUfLdZdzo9qs3bs47i1ZDOi72qqovieACD5IyvOo6MEUPF2Eqp6saUZqY7E_/s200/sikkim-4562.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250488860748553570" /></a><br />How would you like to wake up to this every morning (see picture)?</p><br /><br /><p>The trip back was quicker and we stopped at the statue of Guru Rinpoche, which is in the middle of nowhere, but quite spectacular. Kalu Rinpoche and the retreatants offered a puja and we all enjoyed the beauty of the statue, though it was being refurbished, hence the bamboo scaffolding.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxQsx2nHeYtgU7udvlfIwiNapffkAFFftYlb3lhQUCsQL2huMTQ-DrDNvQaeLrcXHNLDZeNhyphenhyphen342Ov25x1crghJZRzAxNcL8WDrhkapmIxFAXTbAnNF7V6VtfRTtJIsDKJemU/s1600-h/sikkim-4938.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxQsx2nHeYtgU7udvlfIwiNapffkAFFftYlb3lhQUCsQL2huMTQ-DrDNvQaeLrcXHNLDZeNhyphenhyphen342Ov25x1crghJZRzAxNcL8WDrhkapmIxFAXTbAnNF7V6VtfRTtJIsDKJemU/s200/sikkim-4938.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250505002208348466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9Sz-DqiF5CHTyXUsMgwNSDy_sXyIEA9siUC9UzbMxVpoezx-KDl4sBYb3z5IdeVQEYCUSe8V6pnZ192F10Zdp8RysL6Rr24tCPbQIxvkMlQqorhQVw7qpODjHDjz26nCkSm5/s1600-h/sikkim-4940.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9Sz-DqiF5CHTyXUsMgwNSDy_sXyIEA9siUC9UzbMxVpoezx-KDl4sBYb3z5IdeVQEYCUSe8V6pnZ192F10Zdp8RysL6Rr24tCPbQIxvkMlQqorhQVw7qpODjHDjz26nCkSm5/s200/sikkim-4940.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250510082916353170" /></a>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-52767033767748084952008-09-09T23:09:00.000-07:002009-01-18T21:29:18.574-08:00Eric Emerges from Retreat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltNxPLg2jZQ_swIv6NU5_K_n-O2AW4eMLKXF3F_g38G_Cfbu8mNiSqfRr3E7m5bN4U4TnjxQYhmaRuzX0myvxvm3tb-GRT_ikrNgwwD9gGhIx_gBw9lToIVH0qM4JWpvJO8wt/s1600-h/india_best_web-4267.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltNxPLg2jZQ_swIv6NU5_K_n-O2AW4eMLKXF3F_g38G_Cfbu8mNiSqfRr3E7m5bN4U4TnjxQYhmaRuzX0myvxvm3tb-GRT_ikrNgwwD9gGhIx_gBw9lToIVH0qM4JWpvJO8wt/s200/india_best_web-4267.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244272338750328994" /></a><br /><p>Yesterday, September 9, was a very special day. Caren Ewart and I traveled all, the way to Mirik, India to see Caren's son, Eric Triebelhorn, emerge from a traditional three-year retreat at Bokar Monastery. He and 20 other retreatants, including Kalu Rinpoche, participated in ceremonies that officially ended their retreat which started at about 3:00 AM and lasted until just before noon. We were lucky enough to join the retreatants in the retreat center at 6:30 AM. Sometime later, Caren got to get close to Eric for the first time in over 3 and one-half years. See the picture.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuGWZUbscyUo3y77LLPpH0YZ4XhqYrOTsIigvabTwPUQqOsxFj4o3NPU7tXkoN7ACx-E5sFxk06VS-y-ubxTfYH7Nt7hoe3c8sziYsDbKkD5UNLxbcGLM_uSxwhALlO2zNizg/s1600-h/india_best_web-4299.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuGWZUbscyUo3y77LLPpH0YZ4XhqYrOTsIigvabTwPUQqOsxFj4o3NPU7tXkoN7ACx-E5sFxk06VS-y-ubxTfYH7Nt7hoe3c8sziYsDbKkD5UNLxbcGLM_uSxwhALlO2zNizg/s200/india_best_web-4299.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244273159198663618" /></a><br /><p>During this time we were able to offer katas and offerings to each of the retreatants and Kalu Rinpoche and Khenpo. I brought pictures of Ben Barta's Sukkha Siddhi thangka from Char and I for each of the retreatants. OK, it was Char's idea, but Ben and I did all the leg work.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O0CXgxumgJga4IUlGn_qKS5-L9hjr2MNYE6ipNaL_FzgXMwa8Sz_jEDHrcYjVZTxKOZgU-vunzgW9tDzyHzmLBj0tKidErDQIA70UTvEhVzsz8XSe_hfxptV9erKem1xo5xp/s1600-h/india_best_web-4258.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O0CXgxumgJga4IUlGn_qKS5-L9hjr2MNYE6ipNaL_FzgXMwa8Sz_jEDHrcYjVZTxKOZgU-vunzgW9tDzyHzmLBj0tKidErDQIA70UTvEhVzsz8XSe_hfxptV9erKem1xo5xp/s200/india_best_web-4258.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244274192380929042" /></a><br /><p>Snacks were served in trhe retreat courtyard and there was a procession of all the retreatants, led by Khenpo Lodro Donyod, the abbot of Bokar Monastery. They circumambulated the monastery and then everyone gathered in the main shrineroom for prayers and a long life offering to Kalu Rinpoche. The traditional sweet rice and butter tea were served. Caren has yet to try the butter tea, but I'm working on it.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZljOhfnoVGJUeSxDeOOUv49hvu8FgIT2vC5sJVYom_t6fhMzxyUTMS3zvXhiZLtTAkhpmoXIx_xrfazczmS1EdMOrcDvX0QmL4h8sXP2w0hCQVKNG3M56jw_r6w0Mhvw7EhsS/s1600-h/india_best_web-4309.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZljOhfnoVGJUeSxDeOOUv49hvu8FgIT2vC5sJVYom_t6fhMzxyUTMS3zvXhiZLtTAkhpmoXIx_xrfazczmS1EdMOrcDvX0QmL4h8sXP2w0hCQVKNG3M56jw_r6w0Mhvw7EhsS/s200/india_best_web-4309.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244275267305676818" /></a><br /><p>At lunch, some of Eric's first words were, "There sure are a lot of people." That was repeated several times throughout the day. He plans to come out very slowly and spent the rest of the day in the reteat center. Maybe he will venture part way down the hill to Tsewang's house today for dinner. After lunch, I got a ride down the hill to my hotel on the back of Karma's motorcycle, artificial knees and all.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqCIYMDuw3a-2k5OaLQNcs2HWjKfiRVsCo7w9cuibamuJskw-alLFf1iRtQ1wEsmLx40qhp-_hcsjiepFuuqHp2xaU1TYGHlHjyapgmdqFDqsrAVNCkI-DD4Cag67msplFqwR/s1600-h/india_best_web-4304.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqCIYMDuw3a-2k5OaLQNcs2HWjKfiRVsCo7w9cuibamuJskw-alLFf1iRtQ1wEsmLx40qhp-_hcsjiepFuuqHp2xaU1TYGHlHjyapgmdqFDqsrAVNCkI-DD4Cag67msplFqwR/s200/india_best_web-4304.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244276362991965858" /></a><br /><p>On the 12th we head for Gyaltsab Rinpoche's monastery in Ralang, Sikkim, with all of the retreatants who will offer thanksgiving to Rinpoche for his empowerments and teachings during the retreat. We will spend a full day there on the 13th and return on the 14th.</p><br /><br /><p>On the 17th we plan to attend Kalu Rinpoche's birthday and enthronement ceremony at Sonada Monastery near Darjeeling.</p><br /><br /><p>We had spectacular thunderstorms last night about 3:30 AM. Woke me up and I enjoyed the view before going back to sleep. This is the tail end of monsoon, but we've been lucky because there hasn't been much rain while we've been here.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-66086182182205666662008-09-08T03:18:00.000-07:002008-09-08T04:49:24.096-07:00Musings from Mirik<p>Arrived in India several days ago, but Internet access is dial up only and spotty at best. I came down the mountain from Mirik this morning to Siliguri to get a visa to visit the state of Sikkim. Plan to go to Gyaltsab Monastery for some ceremonies for the three-year retreatants that get out on September 9, tomorrow.</p><br /><p>So I'm enjoying a wireless connection at the Hotel Cindrella, arranged by my friend Ngodup. Not to mention the air conditioning. It's very warm down here compared to Mirik. Will be headed back to Mirik in a few hours.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-T-MCIT_RdnnLXgrGESDHO4F7ornqXDJBOJ2FmPhte33ONHYlJvyND8nF3pm7QFLOokv62rM0dPpzse5J33CRf4z2PpHyeU7LPMiCjA-H5HGSJgyL40Rpk_V5J9G4szpe0H7/s1600-h/india_best_web-4186.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-T-MCIT_RdnnLXgrGESDHO4F7ornqXDJBOJ2FmPhte33ONHYlJvyND8nF3pm7QFLOokv62rM0dPpzse5J33CRf4z2PpHyeU7LPMiCjA-H5HGSJgyL40Rpk_V5J9G4szpe0H7/s200/india_best_web-4186.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243597321919025602" /></a><br />Had a good trip from Kathmandu to Mirik via the small airport at Bhadrapur. Hired a taxi that we shared with a Nepali gentleman who lived about halfway to the Indian border. Got out and walked through both sets of Nepali and Indian customs/immigration and then hired an Indian taxi to take us to Mirik. A fun trip, complete with flat tire. See the picture. But we arrived safely after a 4 and one half hour journey.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZBSrYcCKVdnjgMYOrUlISQOXS698OVMZn7yGzpSoEIiZdSnR3wy55hFzDOheasUlTJ22XsCPv8Kv1lIW76VZ2c5z0oVKKQ96EmU6pdXpmUz95RKzXOb0vX7GVg-bQFB5yMdu/s1600-h/india_best_web-4210.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZBSrYcCKVdnjgMYOrUlISQOXS698OVMZn7yGzpSoEIiZdSnR3wy55hFzDOheasUlTJ22XsCPv8Kv1lIW76VZ2c5z0oVKKQ96EmU6pdXpmUz95RKzXOb0vX7GVg-bQFB5yMdu/s200/india_best_web-4210.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243598016987902498" /></a><br /><p>The weather in Mirik is better than I expected. It's the tail end of monsoon, but it hasn't rained very much and yesterday was very sunny and no rain. So far no rain today, and I hope it holds for our journey back up the mountain. During a 90 minute car ride we go from about 300 feet in altitude to a little over 5,500 feet. It gives "up" a new meaning.</P><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2zkwwf3MQ0BFUNgd-jtO4JwwIlJ_VDg-xIbqVJDZ1jGlHxfmJvc270UfzqLRu81KgBr6esBaYw0OUfR-59nbLPj8GjEVPN-03J6OQXJ2yeV6gKi39grZT6sQpVzu1xLwTQBc/s1600-h/india_best_web-4233.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2zkwwf3MQ0BFUNgd-jtO4JwwIlJ_VDg-xIbqVJDZ1jGlHxfmJvc270UfzqLRu81KgBr6esBaYw0OUfR-59nbLPj8GjEVPN-03J6OQXJ2yeV6gKi39grZT6sQpVzu1xLwTQBc/s200/india_best_web-4233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243597687983343378" /></a><br /><p> There will be ceremonies starting about 6:00 AM tomorrow morning for the end of the 3-year retreat. Then on the 13th we will go to Gyaltsab Rinpoche's monastery at Ralang in Sikkim. Will return to Mirik on the 15th and then go to Sonada monastery near Darjiling, to celebrate Kalu Rinpoche's birthday and enthronement on the 17th. Caren returns home the following day in Michael Conklin's care. She's been great to travel with. Traveling in this part of the world requires a lot of flexibility and the ability to just go with the flow when things don't go as planned. Caren has been fun to be with.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-15040969762664635942008-08-30T04:04:00.000-07:002008-08-30T08:23:08.672-07:00The Road to Pullahari<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmKKB-WywZHeTL1Ra8IQwSQcf-dD7JEIyyMNur0rDqIysLKQU4hFRbytFHGcibQsCm8LYxQ6qMWt297egjDdHm0sqp-GaKpZRAOods2x3JEn7HU2Te5zA4_ch5g_fAMm5guCM/s1600-h/pullahari_best_web-3978.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmKKB-WywZHeTL1Ra8IQwSQcf-dD7JEIyyMNur0rDqIysLKQU4hFRbytFHGcibQsCm8LYxQ6qMWt297egjDdHm0sqp-GaKpZRAOods2x3JEn7HU2Te5zA4_ch5g_fAMm5guCM/s200/pullahari_best_web-3978.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240284374011365842" /></a><br /><p>Some (many) roads in Nepal are not passable in Monsoon; and we're experiencing the last rains during our visit. So I knew the road to Pullahari could be difficult; but I wasn't prepared for the sea of mud that confronted our taxi, even on this sunny day. I took a picture on the way down; I was too worried whether we would make it on the way up, to do anything but pray our way through each mud hole.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj418XjyUwJtvb2Fatn9ul8HyvRoxK5PMKsm2Q0PNKjzTB8O5ldptCrUlUzhXBFWo5NtGxEJPffASSeuOoP6CsdUib4pCZRUnQrYeo6JDJUsK0mOnzmThEYYRQ3ydia8pj-2ImC/s1600-h/pullahari_best_web-3930.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj418XjyUwJtvb2Fatn9ul8HyvRoxK5PMKsm2Q0PNKjzTB8O5ldptCrUlUzhXBFWo5NtGxEJPffASSeuOoP6CsdUib4pCZRUnQrYeo6JDJUsK0mOnzmThEYYRQ3ydia8pj-2ImC/s200/pullahari_best_web-3930.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240319339787074210" /></a><br /><p>Pullahari is an amazingly beautiful monastery, with spectacular views of the Kathmandu valley. Caren and I listened to students from a local Tibetan School chant long life prayers for His Holiness Dalai Lama and others. We had lunch at the cafeteria, enjoying the views and the cool breeze as we ate our spring rolls and polkhara. Caren bought some candy and gave it to some little monks.</p><br /><p>A kind monk showed us the library with its beautiful parquet wood floors. We also spent some time in the shrine room housing Jamgon Kontrul's kudong (body).</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiFOq4P2TXUFPRSu6YpDu9ZRfo7UkFfxr4R4BFzFvHGn-LPyPVC4tcQgVSHxzaeGPPaRqM1zoyvzxfy_yR-YwgXRkIvp-lC_wj6WplXep7g0lXRNjgvwUblegfGSTdAYNSBQS/s1600-h/boudha_best_web-4025.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiFOq4P2TXUFPRSu6YpDu9ZRfo7UkFfxr4R4BFzFvHGn-LPyPVC4tcQgVSHxzaeGPPaRqM1zoyvzxfy_yR-YwgXRkIvp-lC_wj6WplXep7g0lXRNjgvwUblegfGSTdAYNSBQS/s200/boudha_best_web-4025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240329599097501810" /></a><br /><p>Tonight we lit candles near the stupa. Caren lit them for the completion of Eric's retreat and I lit them for Char's retreat, to remove all obstacles from their paths.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-57884838524268764482008-08-29T07:26:00.000-07:002008-09-30T19:47:51.733-07:00Bkaktapur<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd3y4269qUiIYgD7kK2poVgjZuyjbH9_fzNcNR4Zr2MC96c4eNTqzF8WKdgWu8n-dDCTI2xhteQZN542lgCj7HcyDv30bPLNq3jWXqtxU8g9BHDhKNbJM7C3rJzBtkz0KQHgh/s1600-h/bhaktapur_best-3810.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd3y4269qUiIYgD7kK2poVgjZuyjbH9_fzNcNR4Zr2MC96c4eNTqzF8WKdgWu8n-dDCTI2xhteQZN542lgCj7HcyDv30bPLNq3jWXqtxU8g9BHDhKNbJM7C3rJzBtkz0KQHgh/s200/bhaktapur_best-3810.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252011596186212690" /></a>Took a taxi to Bhaktapur the old capital city of Nepal, famous for its architecture, temples and artisans. Well worth the 750 rupees admission fee. We hired a guide who was both knowledgeable and friendly. I've uploaded some images to the Current Trip Gallery on TendrelPhotography.com. Or <a href="http://tendrel.smugmug.com/gallery/5807716_NgSuk">follow this link</a>.</p><br /><p>Twelve Km east of Khatmandu, Bhaktapur was founded in the twelfth century by King Anand Dev Malla. The "City of Devotees" is aptly named since Hindus and Buddhists have coexisted peacefully and drawn inspiration from each other. Cars are banned from much of the city, so it's a pleasure to wander the narrow streets and wide open squares without worry of being run over. The streets and sewage system were upgraded through the generosity of the German government following a devastating earthquake in 1934.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-62899127515460155522008-08-28T04:08:00.000-07:002008-08-28T04:17:48.730-07:00Afternoon with JuJu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx55uNg4sth2QaVlcjPg7uHb6OcsuZiuWTOs-ZksTaA__tuV3J4l7HZ2ppWwnJ-1fymuieLUZkFoA8wLP__DQKM8UlPgt5sOwbHd0eHbbYroUeVKOm09slRnra1jb4KJdRIWM/s1600-h/small-3792.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx55uNg4sth2QaVlcjPg7uHb6OcsuZiuWTOs-ZksTaA__tuV3J4l7HZ2ppWwnJ-1fymuieLUZkFoA8wLP__DQKM8UlPgt5sOwbHd0eHbbYroUeVKOm09slRnra1jb4KJdRIWM/s320/small-3792.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239525825102879346" /></a><br /><br /><p>Caren and I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with my friend JuJu, the owner of JuJu Handicrafts, in Patan. The taxi ride to and from was an adventure, but we found JuJu's new shop. After serving us some good Nepali tea, we walked to Durbar square and around Patan, visiting the Mahabodhi Shrine and the Golden Temple.</p><br /><br /><p>We had lunch, courtesy of JuJu, at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Durbar Square. He refused to let me pay, so I extracted a promise that next visit I would return the courtesy.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdu2fYpWeSMREYjEw_QG2LejBAUJ4_ju5Kom2I6mBKeKelpzFp_phBUcuK4Bb21jpOM0OZM8BZ4hC-VI0gUqIg45NLk2JSsIB_so7HaupaQtGPwXvJwBovkihQ5mMY265Dtyq/s1600-h/small-3780.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdu2fYpWeSMREYjEw_QG2LejBAUJ4_ju5Kom2I6mBKeKelpzFp_phBUcuK4Bb21jpOM0OZM8BZ4hC-VI0gUqIg45NLk2JSsIB_so7HaupaQtGPwXvJwBovkihQ5mMY265Dtyq/s320/small-3780.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239525827780666386" /></a>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-67872964717834431912008-08-27T18:08:00.000-07:002008-08-27T20:20:52.199-07:00Rain, Rain, Go Away<p>Actually saw some blue sky yesterday. It's not actually raining that much; just seems unpredictable as to when it will rain. Caren and I have managed to walk around the stupa everyday; only once required an umbrella. Caren has yet to wear her OSU (Ohio State) poncho. I assured her that every Nepali kid would want one if she ever wears it.</p><br /><p>We're planning a day excursion to explore some of the Kathmandu valley, arranged by our hotel manager, Lobsang. Probably do it tomorrow if the weather looks good in the morning.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6wOFpwOTLtTATTtN4F2W_0T3zeVgWbMu8r-kGu583cgneqZ2U5ooH_gLptG76EgVO0NzIfsJ65riijaCxko1RTvxuqDMlFcTsVZJdchx5KnWFCXUKa0MZrSNgSKIJrVVRW1c/s1600-h/stupa-3718.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6wOFpwOTLtTATTtN4F2W_0T3zeVgWbMu8r-kGu583cgneqZ2U5ooH_gLptG76EgVO0NzIfsJ65riijaCxko1RTvxuqDMlFcTsVZJdchx5KnWFCXUKa0MZrSNgSKIJrVVRW1c/s320/stupa-3718.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239376678373342466" /></a><br /><p>Yesterday I took some pictures from the roof garden of our hotel (The Valley Inn Guesthouse). Here's one of them. The Boudhanath Stupa is the largest in the world.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-3672871610159093442008-08-26T04:42:00.000-07:002008-08-26T05:45:54.820-07:00From Kathmandu to You<p>I’m comfortably <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ensconced</span> in The Valley Guesthouse in Kathmandu, Nepal. Caren Ewart and I arrived yesterday. Caren is Eric <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Triebelhorn</span>’s mother. Eric is due out of a 3-year retreat at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bokar</span> Monastery in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mirik</span>, India on September 9<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>.</p> <p>We’re in Nepal to see a school that Caren is helping to build through the <a href="http://www.roomtoread.org/">Room to Read Program</a>. Unfortunately, we’ll have to settle for a visit to a similar school, nearer Kathmandu, where we’ll visit on September 2, the day before we leave for India.</p> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PNr1k-KYRUAjvYqe-2pjR9r7zWGK5461zNc2xx6yPnYmWYr619Dwydc7rV3P7NLyv8kZ8TZFcmQiZQGG4qj0R6ir8Gdn1LEY1Ces2kfIqJ2eH_8PzQr409U-2jppCmvdOEtM/s1600-h/IMG_0065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PNr1k-KYRUAjvYqe-2pjR9r7zWGK5461zNc2xx6yPnYmWYr619Dwydc7rV3P7NLyv8kZ8TZFcmQiZQGG4qj0R6ir8Gdn1LEY1Ces2kfIqJ2eH_8PzQr409U-2jppCmvdOEtM/s320/IMG_0065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238791594559691058" border="0" /></a><br /><p>If you’re ever in Kathmandu (don’t laugh, I never thought I’d be here once, and this is my second trip) I highly recommend <a href="http://www.thevalleyguesthouse.com/">The Valley Guesthouse</a>. We each have a suite with adjoining balconies for about $35 per night, including breakfast. There is a spectacular view of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Boudha</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">stupa</span> and the mountains from the rooftop dining and reading area. The guesthouse is located right behind <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Thrangu</span> Monastery, so we’re awakened every morning by the monks’ chanting.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-42535563001983987932008-08-23T13:09:00.000-07:002008-08-27T07:59:26.996-07:00On My Way to Kathmandu<p>I'm in the Portland, OR airport waiting on a United flight to LAX. Then a Thai Air flight non-stop to Bangkok; a few hours layover and then a Thai flight to Kathmandu, Nepal.</p><br /><p>It's now 1:57 AM on the 24th of August in Nepal. I'll arrive there, if everything goes as planned, at 12:45 PM on August 25. So about 36 hours elapsed travel time.</p><br /><p>More later.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1109927690846751452005-03-04T16:15:00.000-08:002005-03-04T01:14:50.850-08:00Finally, A Post from CharFor the last few days Roger and I have been recovering from India by lolling about at our favorite little enclave in Bangkok called the Shanti Inn (very similar to Key West Florida if you've been there). The guests are mainly European, a mix of greying hairs and young backpackers. The owners are a feisty Thai mother and daughter duo who keep Roger in line! <br /><br />We don't make good tourists since we're not into shopping and wining-dining like we used to be but I'll attempt to write something from the postcard perspective. Roger is very happy since he has had two, two-hour massages. I've finally slept off the unidentified respiratory fun that decked me in India. We're now transformed into Shanti residents walking around barefoot in the 80 degree weather with Roger wearing giant cotton Thai fisherman pants. We have been sitting most of the day in the orchid-covered open air café drinking yogurt lassies, eating Tom Ka and watching the seemingly infinite variety of people go by in the busy street nearby. Our conversations are very profound, for example: "Want to do anything?""Not really" etc.<br /><br />In India we were at Mirik, a little village near Darjeeling in northeast India, at 6000 ft. with Portland winter weather. It was VERY cold whenever the sun was not out so we appreciated our long underwear and wool clothing. Often in the afternoon a cloud would roll in and cover over and soak everything. Fortunately things have been 'modernized' since we were last there so we could rent an electric space heater which was nice when the electricity was available and which, I confess, to using for steaming our towels and underwear ("dry" is truly a foreign concept in Mirik). <br /><br />In Mirik most food is what we would call 'home cooked' which means you have to allow time for them to cook it and often (it seems) to go out and buy the groceries. After about half an hour we would often see the cooks smiling and returning to the restaurants with loaves of bread, porridge mix, etc. But everything is delicious and the menu includes traditional north Indian (typically palak or matar paneer, nan, masalla tea), Tibetan (momos and tomtuk), Nepali (dal and rice) and somewhat Western dishes (like omelets). Since usually there were no events in the early morning we were able to sit around by the heater and eat a nice breakfast in our room every day before bundling up and heading up the mountain (a 15 minute or so climb for which Roger rented a cab) to the monastery. A US dollar is now about 42 Indian rupees. The cab ride was 40 rupees. The prices for meals were 100 to 200 rupees on average. Hotel rooms were 100-350 rupees a day. This all seems a 'bargain' us but you can imagine the annual income of most people we met. As one of the few Western guests at our little hotel we had the opportunity to get to know ourNepali host family and their teenage son who patiently provided everything from morning tea to room sweeping with a little whisk broom (we tried once to do it ourselves on the sly and got caught). No surprise that Roger is now building them a website!<br /><br />Usually when we are in Mirik we are there with a big group of mainly French and American fellow Buddhists and are attending planned events like seminars -- but this time it was a very intimate, somewhat impromptu event in a monastery retreat center without translation from Tibetan. The teacher is unknown to most people because he has been in retreat in Sikkim for most of his life but if you're familiar with Tibetan Buddhism it was Gyaltsab Rinpoche (a heart-son of the Karmapa) who is roughly my age. Our main difficulty was finding out when and where things were to begin. One of our Tibetan friends arranged for his cousin to give us a grand tour of the buildings new since we were last here, to help us have an interview with the monastery 'abbot' and to help us find the other people we knew. However, the cousin didn't know we were coming because she had left her cell phone with her elderly mother who kept picking it up and speaking to it -- but without turning it on. <br /><br />Since we were last here two years ago cell phones have taken over -- with towers on seemingly every hill includng one right over the monastery. It's especially odd to see a monk in robes walk by not chanting mantras but talking on the telephone!<br /><br />After a few days to help recover from jet lag (the time is almost exactly 12 hours opposite day/night of Portland) and a breif excursion to Darjeeling to see friends there and buy tea, we participated in a 10-day ceremony preparing people for meditation retreats. It was a nice-size gathering of 50 people with, in addition to the 20Tibetans, 30 or so people from other countries. In addition to the 2 other people from the US, the countries represented included Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim (India), France, Belgium, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Nepal, Australia, Israel, and Indonesia. There was no translation from Tibetan but with help from the one Swedish westerner fluent in Tibetan and English, and a list I brought along from a similar event in2001, I served as the "translator" for both the English speaking and theFrench people (I have yet to study Tibetan formally). Basically this meant drafting a list of what I thought was going to happen next and then checking afterward to see if I was correct. This is especially humorous since I only have a few words of elementary school French -- so, as each of my 6 or so French friends read the list I had written and burst into joyous exclamations at meeting a speaker of their language, I quickly burst that bubble!<br /><br />The first day of the ceremonies was especially cold with a cloud rolling in through the (yes, open) windows and doors like a magic smoke. It's difficult to put into words why it is so wonderful to participate in this sort of thing. It might seem boring to listen to Tibetan for several hours but it not at all like that! As usual, I am working on the puzzle of how to bring what is so profound about Tibetan Buddhism into our regular life without becoming too weird myself (maybe too late...). It's a transfer and application project that has become more interesting to me than technology. More on that later no doubt...<br /><br />So, in closing, I'm not yet sure whether I'm going to Nepal on March 7th. All the reports from people I've met who live there or have recently traveled there say that daily life is much, much calmer than it appears from the news. The language program I'm attending wrote to me yesterday to say they are going ahead. I'm not sure of the email situation there because of the recent communications cut-off by the King of Nepal but probably I'll attempt to write a next update from either Nepal or from home after March 7th. Meanwhile, looking forward to seeing each of you soon. <br /><br />CharRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1109670366061759512005-03-01T16:45:00.000-08:002005-03-01T01:49:25.303-08:00Back in BangkokSafely napping the day away at the Shanti Lodge in Bangkok. We have a very small room, but it's air-conditioned and has a western toilet. Funny how one's sense of luxury changes as we get older. We arived at about 5:30 am and took a limo to the Shanti -- an extravagance that got us here quickly and into a bed as quickly as possible with the fewest unknown variables to deal with.<br /><br />The rooms at the Shanti are a curious mix, but all very pleasant and inexpensive. The food in the open air restaurant is great and safe to eat. There are some, but relatively few western toilets. Like India, the bathroom shower is the entire bathroom. The walls and floor of the bathroom are tiled and the floors are sloped so that any water heads for the floor drain in one corner. A flexible shower head comes out of one wall for showers. The only problem is that the toilet seat gets wet unless you leave it up. A position I always thought was it's normal state, but Char has had other ideas until now. There's another little flexible shower head by the toilet. Thai plumbing does not handle toilet paper very well. I'll leave it to you to draw your own conclusions on the proper use of the second shower head which is mounted near toilet seat level.<br /><br />Well, I'm going to check email and spend an hour deleting spam so I can read the important stuff. This is it for now. More tomorrow.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1109585788316185472005-02-28T15:40:00.000-08:002005-02-28T02:16:28.316-08:00Leaving IndiaIt's Monday afternoon around 3:30 pm and we just arrived in Calcutta from Bagdogra. Will spend a little over 10 hours here in the International terminal before taking a Thai Air flight that leaves at 1:45 on Tuesday morning.<br /><br />Had a wonderful time in Mirik, taking meditation empowerments from Gyaltsab Rinpoche every day for 10 days. All of the ceremonies started after lunch and lasted until 5:30 or 6 pm. There were two days when they started around 8 in the morning. It felt very spacious and made it much easier on my knees. I took a cab each day to and from the monastery which is, I would guess, about 200 feet higher than the little town of Mirik where we stayed at the Hotel Ratnagiri.<br /><br />Have lots of wonderful pictures of Eric going into 3-year retreat that I will put on the Internet as soon as I return to Portland. Eric was very emotional, but very happy as he brought up the rear of the procession of retreatants that entered the Shangpa retreat center yesterday, February 27. They finished paving the road up to the retreat center the day before they entered<br /><br />Dedication of the new Monastery building was held the morning of February 25. A golden ornament was placed atop the highest point on this huge building. Monks were climbing and hanging from bamboo scaffolding to put the top piece in place. You'll see more when I publish the pictures.<br /><br />Well, that's it for now. We'll be staying at the Shanti Lodge in Bangkok. There won't be any shortage of Internet connectivity in Bangkok.<br /><br />I'll be back in Portland on Sunday, March 6, and will take Monday off from work to help recover from the jet lag.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1108187833290856972005-02-11T21:46:00.000-08:002005-02-11T22:43:51.046-08:00Arrived in Mirik on ScheduleI'm writing this at just past noon on Saturday, February 12, in Darjeeling.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Saw Lama Lodro from San Francisco as we were touring the monastery.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Well, I think that's it for this time. Don't expect any more until after the empowerments.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1107922642710369952005-02-08T20:02:00.000-08:002005-02-08T20:17:22.710-08:00Night in Calcutta AirportWe arrived in Calcutta about 2:00 am this morning after a 3hour and 20 minute flight from Bangkok. Walked a few hundred yards from the International terminal to the domestic terminal in the dark. All the sleeping rooms were taken in the Domestic Terminal and we were assured that the rooms in the International terminal were all gone also. So we spent the night sitting in the terminal listening to very loud construction work at the other end of the lobby and breathing the construction dust that permeated the terminal. We were both remarkably awake.
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<br />As I write this it's about 9:30 am and we haven't slept since our naps yesterday afternoon in the Bangkok Palace Hotel. But, all in all, we're doing fine. We'll no doubt pay for this unexpected energy later today.
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<br />We're scheduled on a 12:10 Jet Airways flight this afternoon from Calcutta to Bagdogra. It's a short flight and then a several hour drive up into the mountains. I plan on going to bed early -- maybe as early as we arrive in Mirik.
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<br />Had a wonderful breakfast at the restaurant in the Calcutta domestic terminal. It's very slow, but the food is great. Don't go in if you have a plane to catch within 90 minutes. But if you have lots of time, it's a great place to have a liesurely meal.
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<br />It's been a fun and enjoyable trip so far. We're both fine and in great spirits. (Char made me say that.)
<br />Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1107834806134039912005-02-07T19:43:00.000-08:002005-02-07T19:55:16.163-08:00Arrived Bangkok, ThailandThe first leg of our journey has been completed. Safely arrived in Bangkok after about 24 hours of travel from Portland. A few hours layover in Los Angeles and a stop in Osaka, Japan on the Thai Air segment. Arrived Bangkok and took a private car to the Bangkok Palace Hotel.
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<br />We're spending a very quiet day at the hotel just to get used to the time change. It's 10:45 am local time as I'm writing this. We plan a short outing to the Shanti Lodge to arrange our hotel stay when we come back through Bangkok. Will probably eat lunch there, and then head back to the hotel for a well deserved nap.
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<br />Char was able to sleep on the plane. I got very little sleep, but am happy to be able to stretch out in a real bed.
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<br />We leave Bangkok at 11:00 pm tonight and head to Calcutta, where we plan to spend the night in an airport sleeping room before taking Jet Airways to Bagdogra and a car to Mirik.
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<br />Might not hear from us until we reach Mirik. I understand they have Internet access there now. If not, you won't hear from us unless we make a day trip to Darjeeling.
<br />Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10648335.post-1107641612704466832005-02-05T14:10:00.000-08:002005-02-05T14:14:08.180-08:00Ready for Travel to IndiaFinal packing is underway. Char and I leave early Sunday morning, February 6. Will spend overnight in Bangkok, Thailand on our way to Calcutta, India. The cats know something is amiss. More luggage means longer trip. They'll be well taken care of while we're away.
<br />Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466116177588481930noreply@blogger.com