check point
at yangkil resortTuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ghande Valley
Yesterday we had a nice picnic in the Valley of the Black Necked Cranes.
We were lucky there was weather so there were lots of cranes feeding in the marshes. They don't fly too far from the feeding areas when weather is bad. They are bigger than I thought they would be and so graceful when they take flight. They just come and land in the farmers fields and find grubs and such. Leaving the valley there was a light sprinkle of snow at the top of the pass.
And the miracle is that claire is walking well with the stick...the massages seem to have helped...did I mention that the woman had learned how to cure sprains by working on her livestock. She also mentioned on her second visit that it was an evil spirit that knocked Claire over.
Tsering and Christine are over at the courts trying to get the final papers notorized....we were worried last night that it might finally snow...courts in Thimpu take a national h0liday on the first snow day....still with the fog it was a case of get me to the court on time. So yes that means we are back in Thimpu. It feels like such a whirlwind breakneck speed across the country and back again. My mind is a swirl of temples and incredible vistas.
We spent the night at a wonderful vegetarian only retreat by the river last night...beautiful gardens and lots of birds...white-crested red smart, kingfisher, and of course the morning thrush with it's beautiful wake-up call. If you ever come to Bhutan don't sleep through that one.
Day before we stayed at the Yangkhi hotel...most swanky....giant green marble bathroom...and excellent views. The Tshela hotel in bhumtang had the best breakfast and very caring service...this is where they got the massage lady for Claire. And Punaka, well Punaka is just wonderful.
Tomorrow is Losar in bhutan and we will do as the Bhutanese do and have a picnic...hopefully this means we will get to spend the day with Tserings kids again before we leave. Everybody else but grandpa is away at the moment. Then day after we go to Paro which means we will be on our way to the Tigers Nest...but it also means we will be leaving soon...so now we pray for snow....if there's too much snow to fly out we'll get a day or so more of this wonderful country. So everybody pray that it snows in Bhutan...plus the happy couple will get another night together.
Catch you on the dragons back...
that's bhutanese for see ya.
We were lucky there was weather so there were lots of cranes feeding in the marshes. They don't fly too far from the feeding areas when weather is bad. They are bigger than I thought they would be and so graceful when they take flight. They just come and land in the farmers fields and find grubs and such. Leaving the valley there was a light sprinkle of snow at the top of the pass.
And the miracle is that claire is walking well with the stick...the massages seem to have helped...did I mention that the woman had learned how to cure sprains by working on her livestock. She also mentioned on her second visit that it was an evil spirit that knocked Claire over.
Tsering and Christine are over at the courts trying to get the final papers notorized....we were worried last night that it might finally snow...courts in Thimpu take a national h0liday on the first snow day....still with the fog it was a case of get me to the court on time. So yes that means we are back in Thimpu. It feels like such a whirlwind breakneck speed across the country and back again. My mind is a swirl of temples and incredible vistas.
We spent the night at a wonderful vegetarian only retreat by the river last night...beautiful gardens and lots of birds...white-crested red smart, kingfisher, and of course the morning thrush with it's beautiful wake-up call. If you ever come to Bhutan don't sleep through that one.
Day before we stayed at the Yangkhi hotel...most swanky....giant green marble bathroom...and excellent views. The Tshela hotel in bhumtang had the best breakfast and very caring service...this is where they got the massage lady for Claire. And Punaka, well Punaka is just wonderful.
Tomorrow is Losar in bhutan and we will do as the Bhutanese do and have a picnic...hopefully this means we will get to spend the day with Tserings kids again before we leave. Everybody else but grandpa is away at the moment. Then day after we go to Paro which means we will be on our way to the Tigers Nest...but it also means we will be leaving soon...so now we pray for snow....if there's too much snow to fly out we'll get a day or so more of this wonderful country. So everybody pray that it snows in Bhutan...plus the happy couple will get another night together.
Catch you on the dragons back...
that's bhutanese for see ya.
Friday, February 20, 2009
bhumtang
No photos' this session...sorry.
Crossed two passes in the last few days...1st was 10000' and last nights was 11ooo' and I can still run! I can run but Claire can barely walk as of yesterday...though the local massage therapist came and worked on her sprained ankles...yes that is plural...on the way to the crazy monk temple...the one who lived like the common people or crazier to show them they too could practice spirituality...fortunately she had a nice freezing stream to soak her feet in and great vistas and 3 children to entertain her while the phallus' on the building watched out...
up at the temple we were blessed with a bamboo and horn dildo's and the monks ancient bow and arrow. The massage has helped as Claire can walk instead of being carried. Basic ingredients of fresh cows butter and salt are whats said to be the cure for the swelling...makes sense...
but enough of that...on the 2nd pass a silver langur jumped out in front of the jeep...nobody had a camera ready...and our first herd of yaks...rhododendrons are blooming early...it seems that global warming is having a reall impact here in Bhutan...no snow this year...in Thimpu it was 70 and here in bhumtang it's only slightly cooler. the landscape is as expected stunning...it took us 7.5 hour to cross the valley and up the pass down to the other side...of course we made lots of photo stops but still if you can imagine the vastness of the valley...one hike across a valley was said to be about 2hrs hike. We've had many "coincidental blessings" At top of first pass a friend of Tserings was doing puja...and at the old dzong (temple) in Punaka the head lama of Bhutan gave us a tap on the head!!!! Now I see his photo everywhere. He was performing a very important ceremony and had just finished...so his energy was potent.
I can't say enough about the temples accept that at many of them I just spontaneously start to cry...hopefully that's some good purification. especially the first temple withthe statue with the head from tibet of avolakiteshwara....
I'm thinking of you all and ask for prayers that my cold goes away before I leave bhutan for calcutta... I think it's almost gone now...much love and blessings to all of you. You are in my heart always.
love, sheyli
Crossed two passes in the last few days...1st was 10000' and last nights was 11ooo' and I can still run! I can run but Claire can barely walk as of yesterday...though the local massage therapist came and worked on her sprained ankles...yes that is plural...on the way to the crazy monk temple...the one who lived like the common people or crazier to show them they too could practice spirituality...fortunately she had a nice freezing stream to soak her feet in and great vistas and 3 children to entertain her while the phallus' on the building watched out...
up at the temple we were blessed with a bamboo and horn dildo's and the monks ancient bow and arrow. The massage has helped as Claire can walk instead of being carried. Basic ingredients of fresh cows butter and salt are whats said to be the cure for the swelling...makes sense...
but enough of that...on the 2nd pass a silver langur jumped out in front of the jeep...nobody had a camera ready...and our first herd of yaks...rhododendrons are blooming early...it seems that global warming is having a reall impact here in Bhutan...no snow this year...in Thimpu it was 70 and here in bhumtang it's only slightly cooler. the landscape is as expected stunning...it took us 7.5 hour to cross the valley and up the pass down to the other side...of course we made lots of photo stops but still if you can imagine the vastness of the valley...one hike across a valley was said to be about 2hrs hike. We've had many "coincidental blessings" At top of first pass a friend of Tserings was doing puja...and at the old dzong (temple) in Punaka the head lama of Bhutan gave us a tap on the head!!!! Now I see his photo everywhere. He was performing a very important ceremony and had just finished...so his energy was potent.
I can't say enough about the temples accept that at many of them I just spontaneously start to cry...hopefully that's some good purification. especially the first temple withthe statue with the head from tibet of avolakiteshwara....
I'm thinking of you all and ask for prayers that my cold goes away before I leave bhutan for calcutta... I think it's almost gone now...much love and blessings to all of you. You are in my heart always.
love, sheyli
Monday, February 16, 2009
turned photos
this is paro from the air...ususally the pilot gets an ovation for being able to land safely in this little valley....but recently they cut a very old tree down so its apparently easier....of course the guy who cut the tree down died...it's said it was a sacred and very old tree.into the himalayas
After stopping in Gaya of all places...I can officially say that I've been in India now...with Claire and Chrisitne. The flight on to Paro was fairly short.
But deffinetely exquisite views of Everest, Ana purna..etal.
bangkok morning
Roosters crow but I swear I've never seen one. moto engines putter down alleys drowning the suffle of flip flops.
the sweepers have begun thrashing of the streets
in the dunkle morning distance a safron robe glows through the fauna of exotic plants and orchids while this side of the street is alive and fertile across it signs of winter...
awning cover scattered with dead leaves from the dying tree in front. below the glowing brazier of the street vendor as he preps his wok.
As the morning light brightens more safron robes with their alms bowls to recieve the days generosity... the smells of seering meet waft through the neighborhood and whet my appetite.
but I already know breakfast will be paradise porridge...oats w/ coconut milk and bananas...mmmm
One morning visiting our local wat (which was the best we visited) and ordination of a new monk was about to happen...earlier Clair and I had fed fish with his relatives down at the local docks...his mother was very pleased with the coincidence of our appearance at the ceremony...
One morning visiting our local wat (which was the best we visited) and ordination of a new monk was about to happen...earlier Clair and I had fed fish with his relatives down at the local docks...his mother was very pleased with the coincidence of our appearance at the ceremony...
coincidence?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The tether is thinning. Like an anchor-out I'm feeling the line holding this vessel swaying me with the ever-changing tides and winds. It's now 2.5 days before I'm on the plane. All the tasks are nearly accomplished to allow me peace of mind (hmmm...is that possible) at least I've done all I could as far as I know. Anyway seeing obstacles as opportunities for transformation on the path will be my mantra as opposed to murphy's law (more room my way than murphy's or is that kurts). A good friend taught me a flying meditation that's supposed to help with jet lag...I'll let you know if it works. Something about visualizing my energy conected with the center of the earth then no matter where I am on earth it's equi-distant (this sounds like an appoximate science anyway). ergo: no jet lag. maybe if I just use "no jet lag" as my mantra....
Actually really applying vajrasattva practice to obstacles already seems to be a really good way for me to go...I'm sure Rinpoche will be pleased. I know I am.
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