India!

Here in India things are going quite well.

After a few days in Delhi, I made my way up to Amritsar. This is not too far from the Pakistan border as well as Kashmir. Here you will find the Golden Temple. This temple is Sikh. It was a very great experience where I learnt quite a bit about Sikhism. This temple was quite stunning. A gold temple in the middle of sort of holy pool. At the temple there is a dorm for foreign tourists provided based on donations. There is also a "free" kitchen that runs completely by the work of volunteers. You are able to eat at any hour as it is open 24 hours. We got to see the entire workings and not only visit but also participate in the making of chapatis. You can peel (red) carrots, wash dishes, stir pots of dal...so many different things. There are big halls where people eat by the thousands. You sit on the floor and someone comes by slopping food in your plate. Then when they come with chapatis you have to put your two hands out and they will put it in your hands. It was quite an experience. It would be a great place to spend some time volunteering and getting to know the people.

Here I met up with a friend from Nepal. I stayed at the golden temple for 3 nights then we headed to McLeod Ganj (Dharamasala). This is the home of the Dalai Lama. It is quite a calm and beautiful place. Not really like the rest of India. More like Nepal. The population is mostly Tibetan as this is the home to government in exile.
We got a nice room with a few of the valley and mountains. So far I have been here 5 days. Tibetan New Year (Losar) was on Feb 14. For this occasion we were lucky to see the Dalai Lama at his temple. It was just amazing to see him so closely and hear him speak, although in Tibetan. He is a beautiful human being.

Since being in this town I have relaxed a lot. We took an Indian cooking class where we made Paneer Butter Masala, Aloo Gobi (Potato Cauliflower), Dal (Lentil) and Chapati. After cooking this all we got to enjoy the amazing meal. It was so tasty and I can't wait to make it when I return home.

Today Dai and I went to a Tibetan cooking class. We made the all famous momos. These are like dumplings filled with various veggie fillings. I love these!! Not only did we make savoury ones, but we also made a chocolate filled one. This was just amazing. Another thing to make when I get home. Who wants some??
Tomorrow I am heading to the Tushita Meditation Centre. I am taking an 8-day residential course. Introduction to Buddism. This will include some meditation, yoga and teachings in Buddism. I will be cut off from the outside world. I think this is going to be a very interesting experience.

I have had a bit of a hard time over the past few weeks due to various things. Being in a new country, being lonely from time to time and the loss of my grams have all played a big part. Being in this place has allowed me to relax and think and just enjoy living. That is something that I think people forget to do a lot. Enjoy Living. We don't do that enough in the western world. We get so caught up in jobs and everything else. For those of you at home, take a step back and think about it. You never know what the future is going to hold. Make sure you enjoy your life. Take some time out for yourself and really enjoy it. Do something for yourself...maybe get a massage. Have that piece of chocolate cake (I did today). Whatever will make you happy. Make you smile. Enjoy life. Work to live. Do not live to work.

I am thinking of all of my family and friends. I hope you are all well.

I am going to be disconnected for the next 8 or 9 days, but my thoughts are with you all.