From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2008

I am feeling sad because I am leaving Dharamsala. (I think I wrote it correctly?)

We have Hindi class most every day, and we're actually getting pretty good! We learned the past and future tenses today, so now I can almost piece together original sentences, which is awesome. I'm very excited to continue Hindi in Jaipur! In the mornings, before Hindi, I wake up and have a delicious breakfast with Amey la (mom in Tibetan)- gaga, her hard boiled eggs rival even yours - and sometime peter comes. Then after Hindi, Ari, Mirise and I take a rickshaw to Bagsu for jewelry making and tabla. We spend a few hours with our guru and eat a little lunch, and then rush back to Dharamsala for yoga. Our teacher is one of the best yoga teachers that I've ever had and is freakishly strong (but it's so cool). Then, after yoga, we have a guest speaker. We've had a bunch of incredible people speak with us- yesterday, it was two representatives from Students for a Free Tibet.

After our speaker, I have sewing with my amey la. It's so much fun! It's on a manual machine, so it requires a lot of concentration but I'm loving it. I have made a purse, a little bag, a couple of pouches and a Tibetan coat. Last night, I made a pouch without any help! The craftsmanship is not great, but I'm proud of it anyway- it's my favorite thing that I've made :) After sewing, I have another delicious meal and usually watch CNN. Whenever they talk about the election, or the president elect (!), my amey la says "Obama Obama!" She is so sweet, and I'll miss her a lot when we leave- I'm trying to convince her to come do Jaipur homestays with me, but it's not working too well ;) Mom, she wanted me to tell my "American Amey la that my Tibetan Amey la is taking very good care of me"

I have to run to yoga, but I'll write more soon. We start our Jaipur homestays in a few days!
Kate