Tibetan Family

This is a photo of our Tibetan family that we are living with at Varanasi University. The monk is the professor of Tibetan medicine at university and a close friend of Geshelas. His cousin, also a doctor, sits next to Allie and her father is the Dalai Lama's personal physician which is a highly regarded position so he is quite famous and also treats Indian movie stars. The one next to her is one of the monks students and then the girl at the end is another cousin and has been helping us with Tibetan language. The family is so kind cooking and looking after us. The doctor fixed us up with Tibetan medicine when we both had "Indian Belly". The place where we are staying is inside the compound where the teachings are being held so we are quite privileged to be so close and get woken by the Dalai Lamas monks saying mantras in the morning.

Sarnath

The next day Geshela brought us to Sarnath, a Buddhist pilgrimage site where the Buddha spoke his first teaching. Everyone circumambulates the giant stupa which marks the spot of the teaching. There are many ruins and temples here which mark places where the Buddha used to meditate and teach.

Varanasi

After New Delhi we took an overnight train with Geshela and Ven. Tashi to Varanasi, playing cards and learning magic tricks to pass the time. The Dalai Lama arrived the same day at Varanasi University and we joined the crowds to welcome him. Allie was sick that day and was passing out in the crowds. After that was tea break which seems to be an almost hourly occurrence for the Tibetans!

Namaskar India!

Arrived in New Delhi and we stayed at Tara House in the Tibetan refuge settlement. We had a nice room overlooking the sacred river of Yamuna which represents one of the side channels. Below us farming families lived in huts on the river and went about collecting straw to light fires to keep warm whilst stray dogs and cows wandered by.

Appeal to the Great Spirit

Apeal to the Great Spirit
Originally uploaded by wavesofbliss.

We are off to India on Thursday so have just set up a Flicker account.
Flicker account is wavesofbliss.
Will post plenty of photos. this photo is of an American Indian Statue in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Living with squirrels!

It has been some time between posts. Most of the time i have been out of contact with civilisation, dedicated to my new passion of squirrel watching. Here is a very rare photo i was able to snap of a squirrel ascetic performing morning prostrations.

Nelsons Bay Getaway

A short trip north for a couple of days at beautiful Nelsons Bay.
Had a nice time lazing near the water reading siddhartha
climbing and falling out of trees
the next day it was pouring
we climbed the highest lookout getting totaly drenched
and nearly blown off the top by the gale force winds
which just pipped bingo with Aunty Donna as the highlight of the trip!!!

Almost forget the praying hands of Tulsa

Am back down under now and the surf is freezing but i should not complain its great to be out amongst the waves and i always forget how beautiful home is.. more soon..
By the way the pic is of the huge hands of prayer in tulsa that i spoke about.

Arena Football

Indoor American Football was an experience, nice game and you get you moneys worth, the last minute took over 10 minutes to play!!

The bible belt of America

On the way to Oaklahoma we past through New Mexico. Spending the night in Albuquerque and then through to Texas and on to Oaklahoma. One of the highlights of the journey was this huge cross which stood out against the background of flat plains. Strange, but imagine if they had decided to erect a big banana instead, now that would be crazy!

Spoilt!!!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!
Will send some more pics of the sites of Arizona shortlty.