Some spiritual journeys begin without one willfully acting on some of the thoughts that one has to achieve peace and happiness. Sometimes one doesn’t even know that it’s the happiest and most peaceful time in their life – Right Now.
I’d like to believe I’m in that place Right Now! And want to hold on to it more that 
one minute longer till it’s completely suffocates me and I want the next wave to hits.
This is by no means a spiritual journey. Its only that the my hands were itching for the beads today at the Dalai Lama temple and the Buddhist monks inspired me to call The One above and say – Thank You for Everything.
The Calling – has to be from deep within when the weather doesn’t matter, the busy street with polluting cars going up and down and a million colours cannot distract you. I noticed several monks going past me on the street with beads in their hands and a chant on their lips and a complete look of Bliss. They have held on to that moment And I’m sure it’s a tough journey there. Unlike mine, who paid only 800 bucks to get here and taste a little bit of their Right Now moment.
Day 1
We hopped off the bus this morning after a 12 hr journey on a bus from Delhi. I though my brain would freeze in the AC Volvo bus. The concept of traveling in air conditioning in India means that you must be willing to put up with getting value for money!
The ride on the local bus from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj was about 10km uphill and cost just 9 bucks on the local mini bus that leaves every half an hour.
The room we are staying is really unexpected for a sum of 250bucks a day. No food catered by the way. But who cares. We have a spacious, modern room overlooking the hills that has a hot water.The rest of the day was spent doing the touristy stuff. Walking around town, eating, taking pictures and soaking of the very sharp sun. The place was expectedly dusty and polluted I must say. But the room is a little bit away from all the madness and feels like home already.
I’m looking forward to a going to the Dalai Lama temple early in the morning tomorrow and spending some time looking within. As my two friends relax after a hectic day of walking around for about 8hrs which we’d never do in Delhi. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 2
I’m writing at 9pm this after running for my life down a flight of about 100 stairs in the dark to my hotel room because we were followed by some fellows from the mall. Not locals. They looked like the Dalhi type.
Basically, bad idea for 3 girls to be waking around in the town square aimlesslessly. This place is full of drunks looking for a good time and India is still not used to having women walking around on their own. And we we could have very well raised an alarm if anything happened but who wants paparazzi on a holiday?
Phew! So so basically the highlights of the day was the fact that I had slept for a little over 10hrs straight and woke at 6am all ready for my trip to the Dalai Lama Temple. 7am I was there. Small places wake up early and some basic vegetable shops were already doing business and the old men were already gossiping on the road sides. One young local walked caught up with me just to make conversation and figure where I was from and where I was off to in a hurry that early in the morning.
The temple was Peaceful (can’t find a better word to describe it). Hardly 30 people there. And everyone was in deep prayer walking around with The Bead in their hands. I felt completely Blissful.
I was ready for my morning tea now. And the Mandala Café in the way back to the rooms was a perfect stop for a quiet cup of Tulsi Tea and fresh air.
After breakfast we stopped to buy a “Chubba” – the outfit of the local Tibetians here. They come in awesome colours. So the shop was filled with a buch of local girls and the three of us tried on every colour that was available – Electic Blu, Blood Red, Pink, Golden, Rust, Brick. The entire fashion parade was backed by the ooohs and aaahs of the girls in the shop and we had a great time just wearing the stuff. Ofcourse we did end up buying one each so that we can wear it to some “Dalhi Party”!! Pure Tibetian fashion.
I’m currently feeling like my stomach has a bag of rocks in it. Recounting the gluttony of the day
1. Tulsi Tea
2. Continental Breakfast – Omlette, toast, butter, jam, hash brown
3. Marble cake
4. Momos (atlast) – a big bowl with the soup and about 10 of them in it
5. Chocolate pastry – shared
6. Banana chocolate muffin
7. Chicken curry and roti at a dhaba that we spotted by chance. – this was pure bliss!
And now I feel fat and happy and ready for a munching session and conversation with my friends.
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Day 3
I already feel like this is home and I have a routine – go to the Temple in the morning, have tea and breakfast at Manadala, make conversation with the other travelers, stare into nothingness, walk about, eat some more………..! And to top that I have a CD of the Om Mani Pame Hum chants playing in the background as I write this. Life is perfect.
We met an Israeli girl at the café this morning. She was different because she had this mountain dog (still a puppy) who had actually adopted her. They seemed made for each other. I could related to her. She was reading Eat, Pray Love (the book I when nuts about a month ago). Leela’s (that’s her name) father is an insurance agent and mum is a teacher back in Israel. She trained to be an actress after not liking the Interior Decoration profession so much. She’s been in Dharamshala for 3 months and I hope we will meet again when I go to Goa next month.
Then without planning it we walked down about 1.5km after lunch to St. Johns church. We took the longer way but totally worth it. Awsome fresh air and green everywhere. The church was locked but but looked the part for a scary movie.
Sadly, this evening I leave for Delhi on the 8pm bus. But not before having the chicken curry and rice the dhaba guy promised to keep ready for us. I’m sure I’m going to back for a much longer time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I must add this - Its sad that the Tibetian people who are so spiritual and happy have to live in exhile. I could see thier flags in roof tops and little signs of "Not Made in China" everywhere. I am Born Free and live in a democracy where I know I have a home and the right to speak my mind and to vote. Its the basic right of every human being to be able to practice his religion and live on his land and voice his opinon. I hope that someday we will have a Free Tibet.
