revolting smells
that delight the senses
lives beyond imagination
that ignite dreams
to live with much gluttony
and to find it inadequate
experience the inadequate
and find the riches
to sift through the poo
to not find a pearl
but the Queen’s storehouse
the immanent joy
of life lived simple
to be bone weary tired
with eyes full of life
embarrassment with my thought
the world I had created
but given fresh lenses
to really see
to touch
to experience
Friday, October 3, 2008
October 1st, 2008
8:52 a.m. London time
Now is not the time to lecture anyone on smoking. I have been travelling for over a day now. I’ve gotten 5 hours of very disturbed sleep. “Is there nowhere you can smoke here? Even for someone in transit for over a day now?” “Well it’s a good time to stop!” as he stands in front of large shelves full of duty free cigarettes.
We arrived in London ahead of schedule. But we didn’t land accordingly. I swear there was a malfunction with the plane they didn’t tell us about. I had finished my breakfast and just fallen back to sleep when the plane made this horribly loud squealing. This happened a few times as it seemed the pilot was trying to get something to work. All the while we are circling London for 45 minutes without a word from the pilot.
Approach was pretty rough. Several people were gasping and exclaiming. Then during landing we tilted pretty heavily. There was almost cheering when we finally were on the ground.
Then you know the tube that connects to the plane so you can leave the plane. It was broken. Then it took about a half an hour to find steps so we could finally unload.
I was thankful as each little delay or distraction is helping. It’s one thing to sit here for a half hour or there for an hour. It’s a totally different thing to sit in a transit room for 10 hours!
Several people missed flights which they were very vocal about. I’m sure it was very frustrating considering we arrived early.
This airport is huge. I think Terminal 4 is as large as SeaTac. A friend recently travelled to Greece. She made mention that she didn’t realize that you had to go through security again when switching terminals in Heathrow. You have to go through security no matter what. I don’t understand, but I’m thankful to fly in the U.S. now. There are security checks everywhere. I have always been able to sneak through security with a lighter.
I started out with 4 lighters and only have one left. But I still have my thangkas. I am very thankful for that as 2 different security stations seriously considered them.
In Delhi, I was to identify my checked baggage. Please arrive in Seattle safely without anything missing! I am not feeling too confident on that as most of my zippers were open in Delhi. I didn’t even think to bring locks with me. Stupid! Really stupid! Most of the expensive items were, I mean ARE!!!, in the suitcase with all the open zippers.
Now I am waiting for my last flight. I won’t know till noon which gate. So I have 2 hours and 45 minutes till then. I get to see my baby in about 13-14 hours. Woot! I am going to do my daily practice now and I might crash on my flight again. I sit on the other side of the plane for this trip. Woot! The other side of my body needs a break. Hehehe.
12:45 p.m. London time
Yea, yea yea! I cannot tell you how excited I am! I am beaming from ear to ear.
As I walked onto the plane I was muttering to myself “yea, yea, yea!”
I am sitting aboard my last international flight for a while! When I disembark, it will be my last customs visit for a while!
And the plane isn’t full so there is no one in the middle seat. I felt so silly as I hyperactively told the man in the aisle seat how excited I was, hehehe.
6 minutes until our scheduled departure. May this flight go smooth, fast, and without incident. Amen! So mote it be! And so it is done! Medicine Buddha!
1:15 p.m. We pushed back from the gate.
1:42 p.m. Well, we are in the air. I would have preferred to have left on time, but I’m heading home so I can’t complain. Hope they bring food quickly as I’m starving!
Now is not the time to lecture anyone on smoking. I have been travelling for over a day now. I’ve gotten 5 hours of very disturbed sleep. “Is there nowhere you can smoke here? Even for someone in transit for over a day now?” “Well it’s a good time to stop!” as he stands in front of large shelves full of duty free cigarettes.
We arrived in London ahead of schedule. But we didn’t land accordingly. I swear there was a malfunction with the plane they didn’t tell us about. I had finished my breakfast and just fallen back to sleep when the plane made this horribly loud squealing. This happened a few times as it seemed the pilot was trying to get something to work. All the while we are circling London for 45 minutes without a word from the pilot.
Approach was pretty rough. Several people were gasping and exclaiming. Then during landing we tilted pretty heavily. There was almost cheering when we finally were on the ground.
Then you know the tube that connects to the plane so you can leave the plane. It was broken. Then it took about a half an hour to find steps so we could finally unload.
I was thankful as each little delay or distraction is helping. It’s one thing to sit here for a half hour or there for an hour. It’s a totally different thing to sit in a transit room for 10 hours!
Several people missed flights which they were very vocal about. I’m sure it was very frustrating considering we arrived early.
This airport is huge. I think Terminal 4 is as large as SeaTac. A friend recently travelled to Greece. She made mention that she didn’t realize that you had to go through security again when switching terminals in Heathrow. You have to go through security no matter what. I don’t understand, but I’m thankful to fly in the U.S. now. There are security checks everywhere. I have always been able to sneak through security with a lighter.
I started out with 4 lighters and only have one left. But I still have my thangkas. I am very thankful for that as 2 different security stations seriously considered them.
In Delhi, I was to identify my checked baggage. Please arrive in Seattle safely without anything missing! I am not feeling too confident on that as most of my zippers were open in Delhi. I didn’t even think to bring locks with me. Stupid! Really stupid! Most of the expensive items were, I mean ARE!!!, in the suitcase with all the open zippers.
Now I am waiting for my last flight. I won’t know till noon which gate. So I have 2 hours and 45 minutes till then. I get to see my baby in about 13-14 hours. Woot! I am going to do my daily practice now and I might crash on my flight again. I sit on the other side of the plane for this trip. Woot! The other side of my body needs a break. Hehehe.
12:45 p.m. London time
Yea, yea yea! I cannot tell you how excited I am! I am beaming from ear to ear.
As I walked onto the plane I was muttering to myself “yea, yea, yea!”
I am sitting aboard my last international flight for a while! When I disembark, it will be my last customs visit for a while!
And the plane isn’t full so there is no one in the middle seat. I felt so silly as I hyperactively told the man in the aisle seat how excited I was, hehehe.
6 minutes until our scheduled departure. May this flight go smooth, fast, and without incident. Amen! So mote it be! And so it is done! Medicine Buddha!
1:15 p.m. We pushed back from the gate.
1:42 p.m. Well, we are in the air. I would have preferred to have left on time, but I’m heading home so I can’t complain. Hope they bring food quickly as I’m starving!
September 30th, 2008
12:30 p.m. Nepal time
On the road again… I really hate getting on the road again. If only it was guaranteed 100% stress free and then I’d be cool. Took only about 45 minutes to get to my gate. Very good time considering.
You arrive. Because I’m a foreigner a porter immediately nabbed me. I can’t complain as he lugged around my huge bags.
Then 2 other porters nabbed me. I paid the first one. These 2 porters whisked me through the first security check. They then paid my exit tax while in the process of stealing $10 U.S. from me. That’s about 750 rupees which is enough to feed you for a week here. They then took me to my ticket counter.
I checked my baggage. Woot! So far no problems with my mongoid bag.
I then am told to go upstairs by my 2 porters who then asked for a tip. Oh well. We are talking about change, pocket change.
I head upstairs and fill out my departure form. Customs was very easy.
Then more security. I got lucky being born a woman as that line was 1/10th the length of the men’s’ line. My bags are x-rayed again. My bags are searched. Standard procedure here. Everyone’s bags are checked. And now I’m waiting. My boarding ticket says I get to board at 2:10 p.m. and its 12:40 p.m. here.
Back to nicotine gum for me. I have kind of let the subject drop, but after a couple of days here I started smoking again. Then after a couple of days later I decided I am quitting, for sure, but it’s my way. My ways isn’t cold turkey either.
So I’ve been smoking 2-4 times a day. A serious reduction. But now I am back to not smoking for 2 days and back to the gum. Yippee! Not!
I was almost able to leave the monastery without tears. Almost. Lama-la had already given me a huge blessing this morning.
Then it was time to leave. He brought out the fancy kata and blessed me again. This kata is for like Rinpoches and what not. I almost cried.
We headed downstairs. The big monks were in puja and the little monks were in their Tibetan class upstairs in the classroom.
I stood in front of the gompa doors and waved goodbye to the big monks. I’m ok, I’m not going to cry… Then Kunzang jumped up. They all stopped puja and they each ran and grabbed a kata, placed it around my neck, and shook my hand. I started blubbering after the 2nd or 3rd blessing. Dechen asked me if I want to say goodbye to the little monks and I said no. No way could I do that!
All last night the little monks were telling me they were angry and sad I was leaving.
I hugged the ‘other’ Dechen and Ani goodbye. They were a bit uncomfortable with it, but giggled all the same.
Dechen took me to the airport and we were both pretty quiet on the drive.
It is not good bye, it is just see you soon. Tim and I will go back after Lama-la returns from his next visit.
Well, that’s enough for now. My hand is tired from writing. I will read or say mantras for an hour, till boarding time.
September 30th, 2008 3:04 p.m. Nepal time
Flight has been delayed, but I am onboard now. Only 2/3rds full so I have all 3 seats on my side of the plane to myself. Boarding required my 3rd body search (standard) and I don’t know how many baggage checks I’ve had so far.
Food was not a highly planned priority for me today, obviously. I ate a croissant for breakfast. I don’t have a scheduled meal again until sometime after 2 a.m. Ooopsie!
Sometime before I leave Delhi I hope to get in a phone call to Tim. It will be day time for basically the whole time I am flying. Except for now, I hope he isn’t awake at 2:25 a.m.
3:11 p.m. We are pushing back.
3:37 p.m. Take off. I didn’t cry. I didn’t cry when I saw the Hyatt. (The gompa is right next to the Hyatt.) I didn’t cry when I saw Boudha Stupa. I did however almost cry when they said they only accept Indian rupees! On this flight when they say they serve snacks, they mean they serve food to order… not as in free with flight food.
Getting very hungry!
One very positive thing in having a delayed flight, less time in Delhi! Woo hoo! Very big woo hoo!
I have some fruit chews I purchased to hand out to kids. That gets to be my lunch. Hopefully my one and only granola bar isn’t my dinner!
6:10 p.m. Nepal time
Well, I’m in Delhi. I’m in my holding cell for 8 more hours. I’m starving but I don’t want to fritter away my money.
I found a place I can smoke. It is $10 an hour to use. But I went up with a man from Northern Ireland and a man from France. I paid for the French man. And the Irish man was able to bargain for us to pay once for our entire time here considering we won’t be drinking.
India is expensive as 100 rupees equals a little more than $2. There is a sandwich shop here with 400 rupee sandwiches. Just plain potato and pea sandwiches. But I am here without a whole lot of options. I think it is 15 minutes earlier here, but I’m not sure.
Not expensive. Just not Nepal. Dechen, Anna, and I went out to lunch yesterday. Oy vey! Already feels like a week ago. Anyway, for 2 huge plates of chow mein, 10 momos, and 4 sodas it was like 230 rupees or around $3 U.S.
They’ve been remodeling this airport. They have done so much in a month. There are now reclining chairs in here. Of course they are all taken. I wish I could score one! Doubt it since they are full with people taking my flight.
I guess there is wireless internet here, but it is about $8 an hour. Ouch!
No interesting characters yet, course it would take quite a lot for me to interesting now. Hehehe.
9:02 p.m. India time
I finally confirmed that it is 15 minutes earlier here.
I also found a half of a chicken sandwich for about $3. I decided to get another one after a couple hours. Part way through that sandwich I realized that might have been a poor decision. Mayo, chicken, stored in an unrefrigerated counter for hours, maybe even days.
I just went up to smoke again. I met a lovely pair of ladies from Holland. They are leaving India after a week and a half. They’ve had a horrible time. They were met with hostility and very corrupt police officers.
So I decided to figure out my flights in U.S. times. I will try to call Tim in a couple of hours as I learned that this will be my only chance to contact him while I am travelling. I will be in London while he is sleeping.
Some day I will be home. Some day. 5 more hours till my flight. I would like a shower and my bed. I was able to get on track very easily going to Nepal. Coming home might be a bit more difficult, especially with my available sleeping times.
Here I am complaining… sorry! In about 30-31 hours I will have my family in my arms again. It is going to be frantic!
I would like to shower first thing. Then unpack while talking and kissing and hugging my babies. I want to show them all the photos, videos, and tell them all the stories.
But I may end up pinned to the couch. Hehehe.
You all read my upcoming schedule from Tim. I have to hit the ground running when I get home.
How blessed is my life? I have such a wonderful family, great friends, and an amazing life!
I am so blessed to get to do the many things I do and I am so blessed to have my friends join me!
9:30 p.m. India time
I just witnessed an American becoming irate over his flight arrangements. Yelling and cursing. It has brought me to the brink of tears!
How many times have I done that? He didn’t make me feel embarrassed to be an American. I felt embarrassed to be me. So many times I have yelled and screamed in anger. Instead of seeing the great blessing of being fortunate to travel. The great blessing of being a mother. To be a friend.
I am going to yell again. Because I will forget, at least momentarily, my blessings.
On the road again… I really hate getting on the road again. If only it was guaranteed 100% stress free and then I’d be cool. Took only about 45 minutes to get to my gate. Very good time considering.
You arrive. Because I’m a foreigner a porter immediately nabbed me. I can’t complain as he lugged around my huge bags.
Then 2 other porters nabbed me. I paid the first one. These 2 porters whisked me through the first security check. They then paid my exit tax while in the process of stealing $10 U.S. from me. That’s about 750 rupees which is enough to feed you for a week here. They then took me to my ticket counter.
I checked my baggage. Woot! So far no problems with my mongoid bag.
I then am told to go upstairs by my 2 porters who then asked for a tip. Oh well. We are talking about change, pocket change.
I head upstairs and fill out my departure form. Customs was very easy.
Then more security. I got lucky being born a woman as that line was 1/10th the length of the men’s’ line. My bags are x-rayed again. My bags are searched. Standard procedure here. Everyone’s bags are checked. And now I’m waiting. My boarding ticket says I get to board at 2:10 p.m. and its 12:40 p.m. here.
Back to nicotine gum for me. I have kind of let the subject drop, but after a couple of days here I started smoking again. Then after a couple of days later I decided I am quitting, for sure, but it’s my way. My ways isn’t cold turkey either.
So I’ve been smoking 2-4 times a day. A serious reduction. But now I am back to not smoking for 2 days and back to the gum. Yippee! Not!
I was almost able to leave the monastery without tears. Almost. Lama-la had already given me a huge blessing this morning.
Then it was time to leave. He brought out the fancy kata and blessed me again. This kata is for like Rinpoches and what not. I almost cried.
We headed downstairs. The big monks were in puja and the little monks were in their Tibetan class upstairs in the classroom.
I stood in front of the gompa doors and waved goodbye to the big monks. I’m ok, I’m not going to cry… Then Kunzang jumped up. They all stopped puja and they each ran and grabbed a kata, placed it around my neck, and shook my hand. I started blubbering after the 2nd or 3rd blessing. Dechen asked me if I want to say goodbye to the little monks and I said no. No way could I do that!
All last night the little monks were telling me they were angry and sad I was leaving.
I hugged the ‘other’ Dechen and Ani goodbye. They were a bit uncomfortable with it, but giggled all the same.
Dechen took me to the airport and we were both pretty quiet on the drive.
It is not good bye, it is just see you soon. Tim and I will go back after Lama-la returns from his next visit.
Well, that’s enough for now. My hand is tired from writing. I will read or say mantras for an hour, till boarding time.
September 30th, 2008 3:04 p.m. Nepal time
Flight has been delayed, but I am onboard now. Only 2/3rds full so I have all 3 seats on my side of the plane to myself. Boarding required my 3rd body search (standard) and I don’t know how many baggage checks I’ve had so far.
Food was not a highly planned priority for me today, obviously. I ate a croissant for breakfast. I don’t have a scheduled meal again until sometime after 2 a.m. Ooopsie!
Sometime before I leave Delhi I hope to get in a phone call to Tim. It will be day time for basically the whole time I am flying. Except for now, I hope he isn’t awake at 2:25 a.m.
3:11 p.m. We are pushing back.
3:37 p.m. Take off. I didn’t cry. I didn’t cry when I saw the Hyatt. (The gompa is right next to the Hyatt.) I didn’t cry when I saw Boudha Stupa. I did however almost cry when they said they only accept Indian rupees! On this flight when they say they serve snacks, they mean they serve food to order… not as in free with flight food.
Getting very hungry!
One very positive thing in having a delayed flight, less time in Delhi! Woo hoo! Very big woo hoo!
I have some fruit chews I purchased to hand out to kids. That gets to be my lunch. Hopefully my one and only granola bar isn’t my dinner!
6:10 p.m. Nepal time
Well, I’m in Delhi. I’m in my holding cell for 8 more hours. I’m starving but I don’t want to fritter away my money.
I found a place I can smoke. It is $10 an hour to use. But I went up with a man from Northern Ireland and a man from France. I paid for the French man. And the Irish man was able to bargain for us to pay once for our entire time here considering we won’t be drinking.
India is expensive as 100 rupees equals a little more than $2. There is a sandwich shop here with 400 rupee sandwiches. Just plain potato and pea sandwiches. But I am here without a whole lot of options. I think it is 15 minutes earlier here, but I’m not sure.
Not expensive. Just not Nepal. Dechen, Anna, and I went out to lunch yesterday. Oy vey! Already feels like a week ago. Anyway, for 2 huge plates of chow mein, 10 momos, and 4 sodas it was like 230 rupees or around $3 U.S.
They’ve been remodeling this airport. They have done so much in a month. There are now reclining chairs in here. Of course they are all taken. I wish I could score one! Doubt it since they are full with people taking my flight.
I guess there is wireless internet here, but it is about $8 an hour. Ouch!
No interesting characters yet, course it would take quite a lot for me to interesting now. Hehehe.
9:02 p.m. India time
I finally confirmed that it is 15 minutes earlier here.
I also found a half of a chicken sandwich for about $3. I decided to get another one after a couple hours. Part way through that sandwich I realized that might have been a poor decision. Mayo, chicken, stored in an unrefrigerated counter for hours, maybe even days.
I just went up to smoke again. I met a lovely pair of ladies from Holland. They are leaving India after a week and a half. They’ve had a horrible time. They were met with hostility and very corrupt police officers.
So I decided to figure out my flights in U.S. times. I will try to call Tim in a couple of hours as I learned that this will be my only chance to contact him while I am travelling. I will be in London while he is sleeping.
Some day I will be home. Some day. 5 more hours till my flight. I would like a shower and my bed. I was able to get on track very easily going to Nepal. Coming home might be a bit more difficult, especially with my available sleeping times.
Here I am complaining… sorry! In about 30-31 hours I will have my family in my arms again. It is going to be frantic!
I would like to shower first thing. Then unpack while talking and kissing and hugging my babies. I want to show them all the photos, videos, and tell them all the stories.
But I may end up pinned to the couch. Hehehe.
You all read my upcoming schedule from Tim. I have to hit the ground running when I get home.
How blessed is my life? I have such a wonderful family, great friends, and an amazing life!
I am so blessed to get to do the many things I do and I am so blessed to have my friends join me!
9:30 p.m. India time
I just witnessed an American becoming irate over his flight arrangements. Yelling and cursing. It has brought me to the brink of tears!
How many times have I done that? He didn’t make me feel embarrassed to be an American. I felt embarrassed to be me. So many times I have yelled and screamed in anger. Instead of seeing the great blessing of being fortunate to travel. The great blessing of being a mother. To be a friend.
I am going to yell again. Because I will forget, at least momentarily, my blessings.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Travel Updates
For anyone following along here. I talked to Loralyn today and she had made it safely to India. She, in theory, left India for London and is in the air as we speak. She is supposed to land at Heathrow at about 11:55 pm our time, so unless she blogs from the airport we probably won't hear from her until tomorrow afternoon when she lands.
She sounded quite well but very tired. It is impossible for her to sleep at the airport as she is sitting with all of her bags and they pop in every few minutes announcing boarding and make sure that you hear them.
Her next flight is about 9 hours so hopefully she will get some rest on the flight! And I think she is pretty sure there will be very few more coach flights on these long trips. Very uncomfortable for such a long time in the air.
She has one bag that is quite oversize. The maximum amount of total inches l+w+d is like 62 and her bag is 96ish. So far she didn't have any trouble on JetLite but lets hope Brittish Airways doesn't give her any problems either! Looks like a $200 penalty if she has to pay for the large bag! Ouch!
Tim
She sounded quite well but very tired. It is impossible for her to sleep at the airport as she is sitting with all of her bags and they pop in every few minutes announcing boarding and make sure that you hear them.
Her next flight is about 9 hours so hopefully she will get some rest on the flight! And I think she is pretty sure there will be very few more coach flights on these long trips. Very uncomfortable for such a long time in the air.
She has one bag that is quite oversize. The maximum amount of total inches l+w+d is like 62 and her bag is 96ish. So far she didn't have any trouble on JetLite but lets hope Brittish Airways doesn't give her any problems either! Looks like a $200 penalty if she has to pay for the large bag! Ouch!
Tim
Monday, September 29, 2008
My friends
Dechen and I were teasing each other. Got a good shot of her while playing keep away with my camera. I had to put my camera in my bra to keep her from deleting this picture.
Dechen's father and I. He thought it was so great that I could take a photo of both of us.
Ani and I. She is such a treasure! She loves it when I call her my friend!
This is the 'other' Dechen. She always wears this shirt. So cute! Although she was embarrassed at how grubby she was.
My friend, Ani!
September 29, 2008 8:45 p.m.
Last night in Nepal. At least for a while. What a trip! To sum it up into 2 words… beyond imagination! So many new experiences, so many lessons! I will leave the wrap up of the trip write up for later.
Today was a whirlwind day of course! Got up late, said goodbye to Tom who was leaving today, headed into Boudha.
I ordered some pictures for Lama-la and the monks. I then hit the net real quick like for a chat with Tim. Then I tried to find a suitcase around the Stupa, no luck.
I ran back to the monastery and tried to pack a bit better. Not much luck or hope for getting it all neatly packed away, but I could do it… maybe. Lama-la, Dechen, and I headed out. They went into the Home Ministry complex for their passport renewals while I sat in the truck and knit on Anna’s hat. I finished it up while I waited for them.
Then Dechen and I headed back. We nabbed Anna and had lunch together. We were supposed to eat at a fantastic momo restaurant, but it was closed!!! So we went to another place and their momos were not very good. My stomach has been cramping since then.
Anna and Dechen returned to the monastery and I decided to do some last minute errands. I went and picked up the photos. I then had coffee and waited a bit for my shirts to be ready. It was absolutely pouring by this time. I decided to stop and buy an umbrella and I found a super large bag to replace my duffel. I hope there isn’t a size limit on your bag sizes… this thing is huge! Ani has been joking that she’s going to come to the U.S. with me in my bag. She could definitely fit into this one. I really don’t want to pay extra for an oversized bag! Like really don’t want to! Money is all gone. I mean, all gone!
I headed back to the monastery and repacked my stuff. Now I have room for an entire store more of things… hehehe. Which is good as Lama-la has been throwing gifts at me left and right. And it means that I will have to carry fewer bags. But this bag is so hurkin’ I’m not sure how I will carry it at all. It’s like 2 feet wide by 4 feet long!
I wove in some ends on some hats I had knit and then went down for puja. Puja got started really late as the monks were late in returning back from their other puja
I gave Lama-la the hats and Dechen told me that Lama-la would bless my thangkas first thing in the morning so that I could finish packing them.
Tomorrow I hope to get up early. Pack a few more things. I’m all packed except for last minute things like toothpaste, electronics, etc… Have Lama-la bless my things. Get on the net and chat with Tim for a bit. Then come back and say my goodbyes. And then head to the airport where I will begin my stress-free event-free journey home. Amen!
Today was a whirlwind day of course! Got up late, said goodbye to Tom who was leaving today, headed into Boudha.
I ordered some pictures for Lama-la and the monks. I then hit the net real quick like for a chat with Tim. Then I tried to find a suitcase around the Stupa, no luck.
I ran back to the monastery and tried to pack a bit better. Not much luck or hope for getting it all neatly packed away, but I could do it… maybe. Lama-la, Dechen, and I headed out. They went into the Home Ministry complex for their passport renewals while I sat in the truck and knit on Anna’s hat. I finished it up while I waited for them.
Then Dechen and I headed back. We nabbed Anna and had lunch together. We were supposed to eat at a fantastic momo restaurant, but it was closed!!! So we went to another place and their momos were not very good. My stomach has been cramping since then.
Anna and Dechen returned to the monastery and I decided to do some last minute errands. I went and picked up the photos. I then had coffee and waited a bit for my shirts to be ready. It was absolutely pouring by this time. I decided to stop and buy an umbrella and I found a super large bag to replace my duffel. I hope there isn’t a size limit on your bag sizes… this thing is huge! Ani has been joking that she’s going to come to the U.S. with me in my bag. She could definitely fit into this one. I really don’t want to pay extra for an oversized bag! Like really don’t want to! Money is all gone. I mean, all gone!
I headed back to the monastery and repacked my stuff. Now I have room for an entire store more of things… hehehe. Which is good as Lama-la has been throwing gifts at me left and right. And it means that I will have to carry fewer bags. But this bag is so hurkin’ I’m not sure how I will carry it at all. It’s like 2 feet wide by 4 feet long!
I wove in some ends on some hats I had knit and then went down for puja. Puja got started really late as the monks were late in returning back from their other puja
I gave Lama-la the hats and Dechen told me that Lama-la would bless my thangkas first thing in the morning so that I could finish packing them.
Tomorrow I hope to get up early. Pack a few more things. I’m all packed except for last minute things like toothpaste, electronics, etc… Have Lama-la bless my things. Get on the net and chat with Tim for a bit. Then come back and say my goodbyes. And then head to the airport where I will begin my stress-free event-free journey home. Amen!
Flight Home (from Tim)
So, for anyone who is interested. I talked to Loralyn last night, my time, at around 8. She was in a bit of a dither over suitcase space. Might be some trouble if she can't buy bigger ones. That is one of her main missions, and getting her tools blessed by Lama Wangdu.
I checked on her flight and all are ontime. As of right now, at 5:36 pm our time, she has less than 9 hours left in Kathmandu, on this visit. (You will return baby!)
Following is a breakdown of her gruelling flight schedule:
Leave Kathmandu at 240Pm local time 1:55 am Seattle time
Arrive in DELHI INDIA 355Pm local time 3:10 am tuesday Seattle time
Leave Dehli at 210Am local time Wednesday 1:40 pm Tuesday Seattle time
Arrive in London 655Am local time Wednesday 11:55 pm Tuesday Seattle time
Leave London at 1255Pm local time 5:55 am Seattle Time
Arrive in Seattle at 230Pm and we are on the same day and time...hehe.
Send her energy for peaceful flights and that she gets some rest! She has some killer layovers. Especially the one in India where she will be back in her prison for 10 hours!
But when she gets home she can rest! Yeah, right...that'll happen.
She gets home on Wednesday, Thursday is healing circle, Friday is game night with CBMC, Sunday is a COAST meeting, Tuesday is YAD201, Wednesday is the counseling class, then the next weekend she goes away for a planning retreat. She comes back from that and....maybe takes part in some D&D for PPD on Friday and or Saturday, Drumming circle, another counseling class, then the next weekend she flies to Virginia for a week...ok enough. I get tired just typing it and I am sure you get the idea. What an amazing woman I am married to!
Just two days left....two days! And she will be in my arms....
Tim
I checked on her flight and all are ontime. As of right now, at 5:36 pm our time, she has less than 9 hours left in Kathmandu, on this visit. (You will return baby!)
Following is a breakdown of her gruelling flight schedule:
Leave Kathmandu at 240Pm local time 1:55 am Seattle time
Arrive in DELHI INDIA 355Pm local time 3:10 am tuesday Seattle time
Leave Dehli at 210Am local time Wednesday 1:40 pm Tuesday Seattle time
Arrive in London 655Am local time Wednesday 11:55 pm Tuesday Seattle time
Leave London at 1255Pm local time 5:55 am Seattle Time
Arrive in Seattle at 230Pm and we are on the same day and time...hehe.
Send her energy for peaceful flights and that she gets some rest! She has some killer layovers. Especially the one in India where she will be back in her prison for 10 hours!
But when she gets home she can rest! Yeah, right...that'll happen.
She gets home on Wednesday, Thursday is healing circle, Friday is game night with CBMC, Sunday is a COAST meeting, Tuesday is YAD201, Wednesday is the counseling class, then the next weekend she goes away for a planning retreat. She comes back from that and....maybe takes part in some D&D for PPD on Friday and or Saturday, Drumming circle, another counseling class, then the next weekend she flies to Virginia for a week...ok enough. I get tired just typing it and I am sure you get the idea. What an amazing woman I am married to!
Just two days left....two days! And she will be in my arms....
Tim
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