Goodby to india

Today is our last day here. The others are sitting outside having breakfast of yummy chai and toast. The monsoons are not too bad and for the moment it is clear, bright and hot, hot, hot. We don't fly out until 11:00 pm and the time in the States is 11 hours behind. WE plan to go to the center of Delhi to a fabric shop for a few last minute kalmar chemise. we have been wearing the local dress and some have been having them made. You choose the fabric, they measure you and in 2 hours you come back and Voila! We will also go to Dilli-hat, a local crafters alliance for the do-dads. (I know you don't want do-dads but these are pretty good ones.)

Here in Delhi we travel mostly by rickshaw and it is an act of faith to go out into the streets. Yesterday Sonja, Gregg and I went to a Siek ashram. SOnja teaches World Religions in Maine and the woman who wrote the text she teaches from "runs" the ashram. It was beautiful (and strange to me) All faiths are recognized there. There were many Russians and we had the best borsht I have ever tasted. We had a milk drink with cardamon and almond and "some herbs" that produce an "interesting" almost hallucinatory effect. We were the only westerners. There is a place where a fire is tended 24 hours a day. The huge fire is dedicated to world peace.

I will post photos when I get home that will not come close to the reality. I keep speaking of learning so much. One thing that is reinforced every time I travel is how blessed my life is, how much I love our country and its freedom, and of course how much love there is in my life.

Deb

In Leh

I have returned from the crossing of the Himalayas. We were at 18.500 feet at the highest. It was something! I made it without getting sick but I took a woman from Australia into my car and we got her oxygen. She was pretty sick but made it. The time in Nubra was amazing we took Bodisattava vows at a monestery from the Dalai Lama. Now I have to be kind!! We had to sleep in a tent as all the rooms! were full. No toilets not running water for a couple of days. I had to get a permit from the Indian Gvmt to get that close to Pakistan and China and we could not photo the army camps or and of the convoys.

There is no one here in the internet palce because they are swarming outside. The Dalai ALma is here cutting a ribbon for the opening of a mosque!!!! MAny muslims and sieks.

Last night we had dinner at the home of Khen Rinpoche. His family home. Tonight we go to his place of residence next to the Siddhartha School. Our last night before flying back to Delhi. In Delhi Sonja and I are goiing to an ashram in the south. Through in a little Hinduism while we are at it.

Beth, referrals? I love you!!!!!

Tom How is Oliver? I miss him like crazy and of course you too!

Thanks for all the email. I cry for home just a wee bit.

Rode up a mntn on top of the Sidd. school bus yesterday. Ouchie! MAny pujas with monks and we keep picking them up by the side of the road and giving them rides.

Crowd behind me wanting the computer.

Love to all. I'll post again from Delhi. Jeff is out buying an Indian parachute!!! For his yard. This place is heaven. And the people share everything they have. I have learned so much!

Love, love,

Deb

Ladakh

"Sometimes we take the journey. Sometimes the journey takes us."

This is just what has happened. we are in Leh Ladakh as I post. But we are staying in Stok as Khen Rinpoche wants us clse by. So we are right next door to his home. In order to post I must ride for 15 minutes, cross a metal brige over the Indus River and through a sand stone landscape to reach a place with internet access.

Tomorrow I leave for the Nubra Valley. Over a high pass to get to the place hwere the Dalai Lama is teachng. I have found a woman to go with and we will saty there for 2 days. I am using the new camera and it is great. We had graduation yesterday.

Everything is indescribable so I will jus say love to all until I post again. Hope all is well at home. I miss you!!!

Love Mum/Deb

Delhi

Just to let you know we arrived here after a 14 hour flight without incident. Well, plenty of incidents but no worries. I am pretty speechlees right now after a day in the city and honestly ... close to tears. This is going some for me as I have seen alot of poverty and sadness but this!.. I don't know. I need to process it before I say too much. The mother asleep in the street with her naked infant also asleep as people stepped over them says something.

I am on the free computer here at La Sagrita but I cannot post photos. I have some good ones. I have one of some men on pilgrimage walking from the sacred river Ganges carring water on a pole decorated with orange and yellow marigolds. This is many, many miles.

One woman I met today has been inan ashram for a week and she will take me there when we return to Delhi after Leh. We went to the largest Mosque in India and also the Red Fort. A monument to war is not my real interest but the architecture was spectacular and I'll take that.

TAC & BKB & ALB...all my love and more later.