Little Lhasa

I feel so lucky to be here. This is a really special town.
The Dalai Lama has been in Delhi for hospital treatment and word got around today that he would be arriving back home today at 4ish. So at 2.30 people started lining the streets, Tibetans holding burning sticks of incense and white scarves and flying Tibetan flags, and tourists interested in what was going on, and whole schools of children brought along by their teachers. And at just after 4pm the crowd grow silent and a convoy of cars go by and in the second car is the Dalai Lama, in the passenger seat, smiling and waving to the crowd who have gathered to welcome him home. It was absolutely magical. After he had gone past people just returned to their lives.

I have signed up to a 10 day residential "Intro to Buddhism" course at a place called Tushita. This is just out of the town along a quiet path in the woods and a very peaceful place. It will be a lovely place to be for 10 days. I was lucky enough to meet someone who invited me to Tushita's annual picnic for the staff and volunteers so i went along with a friend, Lucy - who is also doing the course - and we had a lovely time. There were Tibetans, Indians and westerners there and the atmosphere was very relaxed and warm and friendly. And the food was amazing!!

We took a walk up to a Stupa (a shrine to a monk) in the woods after the picnic and as we approached the Stupa there are Buddhist prayer flags everywhere, fluttering in the wind with the sun shining through them. At the Stupa it is very peaceful and monks and Buddhists visit all the time.

It was such a lovely day - i can't believe how fortunate i am to be in this place, to have met such nice people, and to have been accepted onto this course in a few days time. I feel very happy.