Hello from Amritsar!
Sikh man at the Golden Temple, Amritsar
Hello everyone!
We are enjoying a cloudless and beautiful day here in Amritsar-- one month after leaving the states!
Students are spending the morning and early afternoon taking in the Golden Temple and getting a wonderful introduction to Sikhism and this holy site we are so lucky to be visiting. We will meet back up this afternoon to together deepen our understanding of Sikhism as well as explore the concept of pilgrimage. Our time here in Amritsar will be rich in community as well as learning’s... stay tuned for more to come!
Since Harrison's last note, we have continued to be busy, busy. Our last evening in the brisk fall air of Leh was spent watching traditional dance, eating a great feast and thanking the many who made our time in Ladakh so special! Our guides and cook from the trek spent this evening with us as well as our local co-coordinator and friend, Namgial. It was a special time full of laughter, song and dance. How I will miss this place, the people and the stars!
It was lovely to return to Delhi and say hello to the city for a few days. An introduction to Gandhi and partition, a concert at the University put on by a group from Nagaland (an area of Northeast India), exploring local markets, discussion around caste and celebrating the end of Ramadan (Eid-ul-Fitr) in Old Delhi near Jama Masjid are some of my personal highlights from the past few days. What a spectacular time packed from morning to evening! Yesterday students headed out in small groups to explore the city. We returned together for a quick bite to eat before heading to the train station yesterday evening...
Spicy samosas and chai on the train led us to Amritsar and this internet cafe. I look forward to yet another few days of learning's and contemplation here in Northern India.
Take care,
Erin