My Angel!

View more photos 

Last night, on my way back from Durbar Square, my head hung low as I wallowed in my sadness and confusion. Tears threaten to fall and blur my vision. There was an ache in my heart I was desperately trying to contain. It’s a personal matter I wish not to discuss.

However, I will share the next sequence of events.

It’s a 20 minute walk back to my hotel and I tried so hard not to cry but the tears started to well behind my glasses. I happened upon a Buddhist temple I discovered a couple of weeks back. It’s situated in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by homes.

I circumnavigated the temple complex clockwise- the direction you are supposed to follow when in a Buddhist temple. Willing myself not to cry. I went around twice and a few tears escaped then sat in a corner and cried. I was lonely, I was sad, I was confused. I looked up at the temple as tears ran down my face.

View more photos 

A few men began to light candles around the temple. I had chosen a darkened corner so the Buddhist pilgrims doing their rounds wouldn’t see me cry. I looked up and prayed to God, Buddha, Shiva and all. Whoever was listening and questioned my situation.

Admitting my confusion. Admitting my loneliness at a moment when I need someone most.

No one heard. No one saw. No one came. At least not yet!

An hour later when all my tears were shed, my confessions said, my being spent, I decided to take photos of the temple basking in the golden glow. I set up my tripod and proceeded to take photos. A young Buddhist monk came along, sat next to me and asked me to take photos. I did. I usually refrain from taking posed shots but his poses were endearing. I laughed the whole time and he kept posing. He’d look at his photos and we’d laugh some more. He asked if we can take a photo together so I put my camera back on the tripod and took a couple of shots on timer.

View more photos 

In the first photo, he leaned his shoulder on mine and I felt consoled.

In the second, he held my hand and I was comforted.

He turned to me and said “My best friend!” and I was freed.

His name is Ven Gautama!

As walked out of the temple complex, I looked up at the sky one last time!