Friends of Amida - Spiritual Networking -
News from Nepal
Dear everyone. This will be a fairly short one, as I have too much to write about and my head is full of happiness. Nepal is bloody fantastic. I’ve been here for about three weeks now, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. I’ve been trying to find the words to write about how I feel here, but there’s so much and I can’t express it much. My finger’s a bit buggered which makes typing less than fluid, but I’ll do my best.
I'm off trekking for 10 days on Wednesday, after Nepali New Year (they have lots of festivals here, and lots of strikes, so life can be very unpredictable). When I think about it in one way, not much happens here. Yesterday I bought a waterproof, had a cup of tea with some friends and sat on a roof chatting all afternoon. But then I look at it another way and I feel like my whole self has changed again here – how dramatic does that sound? Language can’t really capture how relaxed I feel, how happy… I’m pretty blissed out! I’ve seen some amazing countryside with Karla and my friends from the meditation centre here, it’s been wonderful to see Karla again – I knew her when I was a kiddie at the Manjushri centre – and the people I have met here are absolutely fantastic, I feel so comfortable here, I can be myself.
I’ve climbed up to the peace stupa (the fourth one I’ve visited) and looked over pokhara, I’ve seen kingfishers in a beautiful gorge, pink mountains at sunset, some unbelievable storms which made my hair stand on end – I’ve had it cut really short. I’ve been swimming and cliff jumping – spontaneity and bravery have been increasing exponentially! I’ve seen lots of films, been reading, and done quite a bit of meditation. I’ve met lots of nepali people, all of whom have been really wonderful. I’ve done some volunteering and made some friends, didis bhais and dhais. I’ve eaten some amazing food, and whooped with joy as I freewheeled downhill on a bike with dodgy brakes. Climbing over rocks with one hand strapped up, jumping into pools with small Nepali boys who brought us exotic yellow raspberries. Memories of home on the breeze as the rain pours down, the only difference being the heat. Most of the time the mountains are hidden by clouds, and all you can see are the hills and the lake, and I feel like I’m in the lakes, until I notice some tropical flower or am delighted by yet another beautiful butterfly – there’s about 800 species here I think, and I’ve seen some really rare ones! I’ve felt real stillness here, and smile so much – everyone namaste’s here. Philosophy comes with Tibetan cultural education and Tibetan tat over masala cheer when you find one of the smiling ladies who persuades you to string some lapis about your neck. It’s so quiet and peaceful, except for when the Nepali rock bands set up for the night at the festival, or the music shops are blasting out traditional Nepali songs along with James Blunt and Dire Straights.
After my trek I think I'm going to do a vipassana, and then I might be going to Calcutta by motorbike. I've got some praggling to do though (to pragle, to think pragmatically or practically) about it all. Hopefully some kind of inspiration will come and I’ll write some more soon!
Sophie
I'm off trekking for 10 days on Wednesday, after Nepali New Year (they have lots of festivals here, and lots of strikes, so life can be very unpredictable). When I think about it in one way, not much happens here. Yesterday I bought a waterproof, had a cup of tea with some friends and sat on a roof chatting all afternoon. But then I look at it another way and I feel like my whole self has changed again here – how dramatic does that sound? Language can’t really capture how relaxed I feel, how happy… I’m pretty blissed out! I’ve seen some amazing countryside with Karla and my friends from the meditation centre here, it’s been wonderful to see Karla again – I knew her when I was a kiddie at the Manjushri centre – and the people I have met here are absolutely fantastic, I feel so comfortable here, I can be myself.
I’ve climbed up to the peace stupa (the fourth one I’ve visited) and looked over pokhara, I’ve seen kingfishers in a beautiful gorge, pink mountains at sunset, some unbelievable storms which made my hair stand on end – I’ve had it cut really short. I’ve been swimming and cliff jumping – spontaneity and bravery have been increasing exponentially! I’ve seen lots of films, been reading, and done quite a bit of meditation. I’ve met lots of nepali people, all of whom have been really wonderful. I’ve done some volunteering and made some friends, didis bhais and dhais. I’ve eaten some amazing food, and whooped with joy as I freewheeled downhill on a bike with dodgy brakes. Climbing over rocks with one hand strapped up, jumping into pools with small Nepali boys who brought us exotic yellow raspberries. Memories of home on the breeze as the rain pours down, the only difference being the heat. Most of the time the mountains are hidden by clouds, and all you can see are the hills and the lake, and I feel like I’m in the lakes, until I notice some tropical flower or am delighted by yet another beautiful butterfly – there’s about 800 species here I think, and I’ve seen some really rare ones! I’ve felt real stillness here, and smile so much – everyone namaste’s here. Philosophy comes with Tibetan cultural education and Tibetan tat over masala cheer when you find one of the smiling ladies who persuades you to string some lapis about your neck. It’s so quiet and peaceful, except for when the Nepali rock bands set up for the night at the festival, or the music shops are blasting out traditional Nepali songs along with James Blunt and Dire Straights.
After my trek I think I'm going to do a vipassana, and then I might be going to Calcutta by motorbike. I've got some praggling to do though (to pragle, to think pragmatically or practically) about it all. Hopefully some kind of inspiration will come and I’ll write some more soon!
Sophie
Add a Comment
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Comment by majid khan on June 2, 2009 at 11:28am -
Dear Sophie.
your writing is a real inspiration. And I'm so happy that you're clearly having such a wonderful time. I look forward to the next instalment...
Love the AliG reference ( incidentally, was it coz you is white?- re monk treating you and your friend differently re bowing etc)
how on earth are the rest of your travels going to compare to this.....
Majid
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Comment by Sahishnu (Joy Marston) on April 15, 2009 at 4:55pm - I am so happy for you.You deserve a good break after all the stresses encountered in Delhi.You sound really happy and confident again.Good luck with the vipassana, many have found it an amazing experience.Advice take some rubbing oil for joints and muscles and tissues for tears.
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Comment by Kaspalita on April 13, 2009 at 7:35am - Wow - sounds like you are having an amazing time - thanks for telling us all about it. Best of luck with the praggling.....
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