Kalachakra 2006

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I had written about my “humbling” experience living amongst the tibetans for 10 days at the teaching in Amaravathi and realized it was the size of a mini novel.

For those of you who just want a gist of that experience, I am posting a copy of an email I sent my dad regarding the experience. If however, you would like to read about the whole experience which humbled me greatly, please read the next journal.

Either way, I'd like to note that there are photos in the next journal which you may find interesting.

Enjoy!

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Hi Dad,

How are you doing? How is everything at home? Any news?

Well the Dalai Lama's teachings here in Amaravathi are done. He is a great person and I am very lucky that I was able to attend. Would you and mom get mad if I converted and became a Buddhist? he h e he he... Joking..For now. at least.

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Anyways, for the past 10 days I've been living in a big tent...There are no floors so there were a lot of bugs. I cried the first night because I hated crickets, spiders and all. But then I bought tarp a mat, a little mattress and mosquito net all for about $10 and it has been great. I put the tarp down to cover the dirt then put my mat, then a my mattress and tuck in my mosquito net so the bugs can't get in...hahaha...It's funny because sometimes I wake up and my net is full of bugs. then I have fun poking them with my finger and watching them fall off on the otherside......It's been really fun now that I am used to it and I survived. In fact I met a girl from Austria who said that they don't have that many bugs and I can move in their tent but I liked my place and the tibetan families around me so I stayed...hahahaha...I found out the reason why I had so many bugs at night. My tent is under the light and so all the bugs and insects go there....hahaha...We have faucets that people use to wash their dishes, brush their teeth and wash their faces and take the kids a bath...Our showers is a small little enclosure with only a faucet but you have to use a bucket or just squat under the faucet..hahaha...It's funny...All the tibetan pilgrims are doing the same so I figure I can handle it. You should be proud of me I even took a bath under a faucet.hahahaha...It's funny but it was fun. But now I'm going to find myself a nice hotel for maybe a few days....hahaha...I haven't had a hot shower for a while. I've only had 4 since I arrived here in India almost 2 months ago...But it's okay because it's very hot here....

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Anyways, I'm writing to let you know that I will try to leave today and go to Vijayawada about 2 hours from here to get a train to Mumbai or maybe break it in half...because it will take about 25 hours to get there by train (straight) so I might go half way...Stay one day in Hyderabad then go to Mumbai..Depends on my mood.

Okay...let me know how you are all doing and tell everyone I said hi. By the way, the pictures from Africa are up on my website now if you would like to take a look at them...It has many many galleries...Enjoy.

Love you and family lots!

Mena