Go! Go forth to India and live! There's nothing that I've done that has been more expanding, more eye-opening, and more exciting all at once. I'd recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn a little about themselves and the world, but more about the vastness of all that there is to be learned, and the pleasure of learning it experientially.
--Julia Bloch, "From Brahma to Buddha" India semester alumna

Whenever I meet a ‘foreigner’, I always have the same feeling: ‘I am meeting another member of the human family.’ This attitude has deepened my affection and respect for all beings. May this natural wish be my small contribution to world peace. I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all those who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.
--Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet

Exploring a traditional village perched on the Tibetan Plateau. Sipping butter tea around a kitchen fire. Smelling jasmine flowers and curries sold in the bazaar. Listening to horns and bells echo over ancient monastery walls. Watching colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind on top of a Himalayan mountain pass. Throughout this cultural immersion program, we will live and study in the country that gave birth to two of the world’s major religions—Hinduism and Buddhism—and will travel amid some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. On this journey, we will meet many of the people who keep ancient traditions and spiritual practices alive, including possible audiences with the Dalai Lama and/or the Karmapa. And at the same time we will witness and study the forces of modernization and globalization that are influencing all aspects of traditional ways of life. Though it is impossible to predict the most memorable experience you will have during the Global LAB India semester, those who choose to participate can expect to embark on a journey of discovery that may well last a lifetime.

Continue reading "From Brahma to Buddha Semester Overview: Feb 16 - May 18, 2007" »

Posted by Global LAB at 03:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

2007 India Semester Program Tuition: $8,950

Tuition includes residential pre-trip orientation, preparatory and educational materials; dedicated student website for program communications and resources; all logistical facilitation; all hotels and guest houses; all meals; all domestic air fares/taxis/buses/trains/boats; museum, park and temple entrance fees; Global LAB faculty and instruction as well as local coordinators, cooks, porters; all program elements (independent study projects and apprenticeships, community service projects, home-stays, guest lectures, community support/charitable contributions).

Please note: Additional expenses not covered by Global LAB include r/t international airfare and costs of domestic travel to point of departure (NYC), inoculations, travel insurance and international medical and evacuation insurance; visa/passport processing fees; personal costs (laundry, phone calls/emails, souvenirs, etc.).

Semesters are open to those ages 17-21. While Global LAB semesters are geared toward interim or ‘gap’ year students, high school seniors as well as university students are welcome to apply. No language prerequisite is required

Global LAB accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis, accepting qualified applicants until programs are full. Each program has a maximum of 12 participants and 3 Global LAB instructors. For this reason, we recommend candidates submit their applications as early as possible.

To begin the application process, print out the preliminary application and FAQ below:
* Application form
* FAQ

Posted by Global LAB at 03:36 AM | Permalink

Please complete the India Visa Application (you can download the visa application form here) according to these instructions. Be sure to send your completed application to the Consulate that handles your state of residency:

If you live in: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands, send your package to:

Consulate General of India - New York
Consular Section
3 East, 64th Street
New York, NY 10021

Continue reading "India Visa Application Instructions" »

Posted by Global LAB at 05:52 PM | Permalink

Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in Asia can be extremely tiresome. We can find almost anything you’ll need in India, and you’ll also want to have room to pick up gifts. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light, and lighter still…you definitely will not regret it! That said, you will not want to leave out any of the cold weather clothing/gear suggestions--our trek in the Himalayas will require appropriate protection against cold weather.

BAGS:
Internal Frame Backpack – Your main “suitcase” should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible…
Daypack – A book-bag or fanny-pack to use for daily excursions.
Duffel Bag – While you’ll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy. This bag should be nylon and relatively durable.
Stuff Sacks – Light-weight and compact, using stuff sacks to separate clothes, food, toiletries, and everything else will bring order to your pack, and make your life simpler.
Ziploc Bags – Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for organizing and keeping things organized and dry.

GEAR:
Money Belt – A very important item to wear daily, under your clothes, safely hiding your passport, money, etc.
Sleeping Bag – Sleeping bags should be “mummy” style and have a temperature rating between 0 and 20 degrees.
Sleeping Pad – Much heat is lost through the ground, and a good insulating layer between the bag and the ground is important.
Water Bottle – Please bring two, one-quart, plastic. Nalgene bottles can be found at local outdoor gear shops.
Water Filter (MSR Sweetwater is a good one)
Head Lamp – Flashlights are okay, but headlamps are more convenient.
Alarm Clock/Watch – Travel-size, to catch early buses and trains.
Swiss Army Knife

Continue reading "Packing & Gear Recommendations" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:09 PM | Permalink

Tsering Kunzes, Kunzes Dolma and Tracy at the SECMOL school in Ladakh, India

Tshangma-la Jullay!
Greetings to all of you!

So, you’ve taken on the exciting responsibility as ambassadors of the youth of the United States; what an important role for you to be playing at a time when global conflict riddles the news media and our hearts. I enthusiastically welcome you to this traveling community where we will create new definitions of “home” and share with each other the invigorating reality of group living.

I chose to work with Global LAB because I believe that engaging in and reflecting upon international experiences becomes a catalyst for personal transformation. This program will help facilitate the process of personal transformation in a safe, organic way, opening our eyes to the lives of people in this radiant country on the other side of the world. We participate in and observe different experiences every day of our lives. The challenge is to be present and aware of these experiences, new and old, as we realize we are already active contributors to the world around us. I feel excited about being a member of this group! Each of us contributes important knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from each of you.

Continue reading "Greetings from Tracy, Semester Co-Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Hello… my name is Caitlin Thurrell. This year I graduated from St. Paul’s School, and now I’m planning to spend a year in the world before college. I’ve never lived outside of New Hampshire or traveled anywhere in the East—until now, my life has been very small and very safe. I love my home, but it provides little perspective—this, I think, is mainly what I look for in India. By the time I join up with you I’ll have been there for four months already, living with my uncle in Auroville, an international community near Tamil Nadu. Some other things… I’m interested in writing and sculpture, in books, in hiking and snowshoeing, in poetry (not mine) and music (also not mine—mainly folk and jazz, but really anything), in history and religion, and in philosophy. I’ve been practicing Ashtanga yoga for the last four years, and during the summer I work making sandwiches and scooping ice cream at a deli by the lake. I’m a little afraid to meet you all, but more excited than that.

Until then—
Caitlin

Posted by Global LAB at 12:39 PM | Permalink

Hi. My name is Noah Klugman. I am from Amherst, Massachusetts, where I live with my father Jeff, my mother Elana and my 14 year old sister Sara. I enjoy writing and playing music. I play several instruments and sign (kind of). This trip will be my first to India, but not my first to Asia. Two years ago, I went on a month long trip to Vietnam and I came back with all sorts of things I didn't have when I left, including some crazy memories and a couple of great friends. I know that the purpose of this blog is so that all of us and our parents and friends can read about our future travel mates, so I just wanted to say hello again to everyone. I am reallly excited to meet you all and share whatever we shall together.

Noah

Posted by Global LAB at 04:33 PM | Permalink

Hello Students-

Having spent four months with the Brahma to Buddha program in India over the past year or so, I have some recommendations that I wanted to share with you before you depart for India on February 18…

These are fairly simple things to do or keep in mind that can really help to make your time in India more enjoyable and make you a more culturally sensitive traveler.

1) Packing hints: Culturally appropriate clothing. What does this mean? When you are packing for this program it is really important that you bring clothes that will be both comfortable and suitable to the locations we are going to.

For female students this means loose fitting shirts that have sleeves at least the length of a usual t-shirt. Shirts that have spaghetti straps, are sleeveless, tight-fitting, or mid-riff baring are not appropriate and can lead to troubles that can almost certainly be avoided by more conservative dress. If you wear pants that have a low-waist line you need to have shirts long enough to cover your mid-riff. If you wear a skirt, it should be at least to your knees.

For male students it is best to have pants and shirts with short sleeves as well. Local men in India almost never wear shorts and if you wear them it will set you apart in a way that is not helpful.

For all students:

It is important that your clothes be clean (no holes, stains, etc.).

Continue reading "Pre-Departure Letter from Michelle" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:19 PM | Permalink

Please note: the below itinerary is planned months in advance and may change due to group interest, health and safety concerns, or other factors beyond the control of Global Learning.

In United States:
Feb 16 - 18: Group orientation at US retreat center

In India:
Feb 18 - 19: Flight to India

Feb 20 - 21: Delhi – Arrival, orientation, introductory language lessons, and visits to key cultural and religious sites in Delhi

Feb 22 - 24: Haridwar – Shri Ram Ashram Orphanage and School, visits to Ghats, intro to Hinduism

Feb 25 – Feb 27: Boat ride on Ganga River starting in Allahabad arriving to Varanasi

Continue reading "Semester Itinerary" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:47 PM | Permalink

Namaste Global Learners!

As the start of the semester is now less than a month away, I would like to start conversations about the amazing opportunities for Independent Study Projects (ISPs) that you will be able to choose from in Varanasi and Dharamsala. In Ladakh, we will be embarking on a group ISP; working together to give back to the communities we will visit. There is more information about this project on the way.

These options presented here are only a sampling of possibilities depending on your interests and inquiries about the cultures we will be visiting.

First, think about what draws you to India… what are some things you are curious about, and how would you like to explore them? The best ISPs come from curiosities we all carry and what we would like to learn more about. This is your opportunity to dig into our experiences and pull from them meaningful experiences, knowledge, and skills that you can take back with you and continue studying upon your return to the U.S. in May. The only limit you might have is your curiosity, as the instructors and guides for your studying wishes are plentiful.

In Varanasi, the City of Light, and earthly abode of Lord Shiva, there are options to study about traditional Hindu culture: music, dance, cooking, language, religion, and traditional arts. Also, volunteer opportunities and queries about contemporary social issues are also plentiful. Below you will find a list of what students this past fall found great satisfaction in studying.

--North Indian Cooking Classes
--Observation and study of Hindu Caste System
--Yoga
--Photography and/or Photo-essays
--Stone-Carving
--Tabla Drumming with internationally renound performer Kailash
--Go Ahead Orphanage – volunteering at this home for street children helping with homework, English language support and generally spending time with the students.
--Benatti (fire dancing) – ancient martial art tradition where one learns to spin a bo (a long wooden pole). As your skill increases, one lights the ends of the bo on fire!
--Weaving – exploring the depth of the Varanasi silk and textile resources
--Studying the life and role of Sadhus (wandering ascetics)
--Interviewing Women regarding gender roles, arranged marriage, etc.
--Observing and studying with Ayurvedic Medical Practitioners

In McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, the hill station which serves as the seat for the Tibetan Government in Exile and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, options abound to study Tibetan refugee culture: music, dance, traditional arts, and language for example, draw you in to this culture living in refugee away from their native land. Dharamsala could be considered the center of Tibetan culture, though at the cost of many lives and livelihoods. Looking at these social issues through an anthropological lens is also possible. Opportunities to study different traditions of Buddhist philosophy are present as well. Below you will find a list of what past students have discovered great meaning in studying.

--Tabla Drumming
--Jewelry Making
--Photography and/or Photo-essays
--Yoga
--Tibetan dance and guitar: the dramyen
--Thangka painting
--Tibetan Healing Massage
--Buddhist Philosophy Classes at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
--Lha- Local NGO that offers language instruction and other opportunities to give back to the community
--Research on perspectives on the Tibetan political situation
--English conversation partners with Tibetan political prisoners recently arrived to Dharamsala
--Meditation
--Tibetan, as well as North and South Indian cooking

As I stated above, these options are only what has been studied in the past. The sky is the limit based on your curiosity and interests! This list is merely to begin the conversation about what you would like to inquire about once we arrive to these communities.

Feel free to contact me, Michelle, John or Brad to have conversation about these topics if you wish.

See you all very soon,

Tracy

Posted by Global LAB at 06:18 PM | Permalink

Hey, my name is Sarah Tarbell-Littman. I live in the one square mile town of Bronxville, New York. For the first half of the year I went to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia with the organization LeapNow. I like chocolate, skiing, my cats, photography and other things I can’t think of at the moment (I have a horrible memory). After my year off I’ll be attending Mt. Holyoke.

Posted by Global LAB at 11:37 PM | Permalink

I just completed my college degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. My major was painting in the Fine Arts Department. The university I belonged to embraces an interdisciplinary approach to learning, which provided me with a very broad learning experience. I was exposed to critical theory and artistic techniques from the art department, and I was also engaged in many other subjects including those in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. As a student, the biggest blessing that I have been given has been the extensive studying abroad that I have been able to do. Whether it was surviving a 50-foot rogue wave in the Pacific Ocean during my Spring 2005 'Semester at Sea' study, volunteering in the townships in Cape Town, South Africa, or working on miniature painting with a traditional painter in Jaipur, I have learned how to adapt and work in uniquely different situations. This has broadened my perspective, and has altered my view on my placement in life. I look forward to meeting you all at the great Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea.

See you soon!

James
or you can call me J.B.

Posted by Global LAB at 04:30 PM | Permalink

Dear Brahma to Buddha Semester Students,

Here is some important information foryou to help you plan for Orientation:

1. We will be having our pre-travel orientation at the Lifebridge Sanctuary in High Falls, NY. You can be dropped off there (any time between 3-5pm) on February 16 or if it is more convenient for you see option #2 meeting us in NYC.

If you are driving, directions are available here.

2) If you are flying into NYC you should plan to meet Brad Choyt (Education Director at the Rubin Museum of Art and Founding Director of Global LAB) at the main entrance (150 West 17th Street, between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue) to the Rubin Museum at Noon for a special tour of the museum's Himalayan collection.

If you prefer, you can meet Brad (and the other students meeting in NYC) at the Port Authority Bus Terminal by 1pm as the group will be boarding the bus there to head up to Lifebridge Sanctuary. There are public transportation options which can bring you from JFK airport to either the Rubin Museum or Port Authority. If you are planning to meet the group in NYC and you cannot make it to Port Authority by 1pm please contact michelle@global-lab.org ASAP so we can figure out alternate arrangements.

PLEASE LET MICHELLE AND BRAD KNOW WHETHER YOU PLAN TO MEET THE GROUP IN NYC OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE PRE-TRAVEL ORIENTATION SITE (brad@global-lab.org) so we know where to expect you.

Posted by Global LAB at 10:36 PM | Permalink

My full name is Sanghamitra Sarkar and I will be helping to arrange your projects in Varanasi. I am originally from the northeastern part of India i.e. Assam. My mother tongue is Bengali. I have done my studies from Allahabad (a city which is 127 k.m. from Varanasi), and Madhaya Pradesh. I have done two masters, one in Modern History and the other in Tourism Management.

For the last 5 years I am staying in Varanasi and working with the western scholars from all over Europe and America. They were all research scholars. I used to help them in the field with translation and transcribing the tape records and arrange interviews for the students. In the last few years I worked with almost 20 scholars who were working on different projects.

I look forward to meeting all of you soon and introducing you to Varanasi.

With Good Luck,

Sanghamitra

Posted by Global LAB at 11:37 PM | Permalink

Hello. My name is Sonam, but you can also call me Peter. I was born on the 10th of March, in 1979, in small village called Changthang Nyoma in Leh, Ladakh to a family of nomads. At a young age, I was sent to the Tibetan Childrens Village School located in the town of Choglamsar, in Ladakh. After the 10th class, I completed two additional years at a school in South India and then completed my college-level courses at Delhi University in the field of Business. In March of 2000, I started to work in the travel business IATO (India Association of Tours Operation) company at New Delhi as a travel coordinator. I stayed with the company for six years.

Last April, I started my own travel business company at New Delhi in the name of SP Travels 24/7. I now work with a dedicated team, which combines the dynamism of youth with the experiences of age, to ensure a memorable tour experience to our clients. This work has allowed me to develop a good relationship with the native people. I look forward to sharing with you the actual lifestyle and culture of the people you will meet.

With regards,

Sonam (Peter)

Posted by Global LAB at 11:43 PM | Permalink

Julay!

My name is Rinchen Namgial. I come from Domkar village, which is 118 km west of Leh, Ladakh. I grew up in that village, and received my high school education there. Afterwards I moved to Jammu for higher secondary school and college. I graduated in history, geography, economics and English. Later I went to Jammu University where I studied Buddhist philosophy.

To support my studies I worked as a freelance guide for the local travel agencies in Ladakh. This started my interest in working with people from different countries to help them understand Ladakhi culture.

Since then I have worked as a translator and guide with many different organizations, schools and universities, and with different travel agencies. As a guide, I have been leading treks since 1990 in Ladakh, Zanskar Valler, Changthang, Sikkim, Nepal, and Tibet. In 1996 I started the Yama Adventures travel agency, which is based in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. In addition to Ladakhi, I am able to speak English, German, Tibetan, Hindi, and Nepali.

As a guide/coordinator I have worked with the Smithsonian Institute, Earthwatch, Indian Wildlife Institute, and Agclon College from Switzerland. As a translator, I have worked for students from Oxford, Berkeley, Wisconsin, Oregon, New York, Michigan, Toronto and Ulm University in Germany with their research in Ladakh.

Continue reading "Hello from Namgial, Ladakh Coordinator" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:46 PM | Permalink

I’m thrilled to be a part of what will surely prove to be an amazing, challenging, and life-changing experience for you all! My life journey began much as yours has. I took a leap –decided there was something beyond (what I did not know)– and landed halfway across the world into something exotic, strange, frightening at times, but nonetheless exhilarating.

After spending time in India this spring you may come to experience what I feel constantly: the urge to return. It’s such a vast and diverse country. I feel like I only get a glimpse each time, but these glimpses are always challenging and enlightening! I find so many aspects of Indian culture fascinating. In fact to even mention “Indian culture” as an entity is problematic because there are so many different Indian experiences. So as we embark on this journey together, I invite you as well as myself to heighten our awareness of the complexities, the intricacies, beauty, and harsh realities of what we will encounter.

While I was studying indigenous perspective in Mexico a respected teacher of mine, Gustavo Esteva, said so gracefully, we must learn to “host the otherness of the other.” Exposure and interaction breeds understanding and acceptance. As we all open up to the worlds beyond our comfort zones, we invite the experience of the unknown. This process triggers a curiosity that will lead us further…

Together we will shape and transform this program into our realities…realities we will never leave behind…realities that will challenge us and inevitably demand growth. That’s why I have joined Global LAB and I imagine that’s at least a part of the reason that you have chosen to take this leap with me. It will be an unforgettable one!

I am honored to take on the responsibility of being your guide, leader, and friend through this incredible adventure! As we rapidly approach our departure date, please feel free to contact me at 704.905.5362 or kempie@global-lab.org with any last minute questions or concerns. I cannot wait to meet you all in person!

Kempie

Posted by Global LAB at 04:14 PM | Permalink

World Travelers,

First I would like to commend all of you for making the decision to take this semester to travel in India. Making this kind of step is not easy, and it takes courage to sign yourself off to a group of people you do not know, in a country so different from your own. This being said, I think traveling in India will return to you tenfold the experiences, ideas, new acquaintances, and cultural awareness that will help you to make more great decisions throughout the rest of your life.

Secondly I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Emma Cruse and I was a student on this last fall’s 2006 Brahma to Buddha semester with Global Learning Across Borders. Michelle Bos-Lun has graciously invited me to come up for this orientation weekend and be available to all of you Brahma to Buddha students as a peer resource. I was very excited to be asked to take part in this semester’s orientation and I greatly look forward to meeting you all and hopefully being able to answer or discuss any questions or issues that you find yourself dealing with in this now short time before you leave for India.

My experience in India with Global LAB, as well as my leaders and fellow travelers was as of now, the greatest experience I’ve had. India is unlike any place you will have encountered in the US or possibly anywhere else in the world, and I think you will all find it as eye opening, stunningly beautiful, culturally fascinating, and emotionally taxing as well as rewarding, as my fellow travelers and I did last fall.

The bonds I made with my fellow Global LAB students last year was certainly one of the most important and glorious parts of my traveling experience. The friendships and group bond we all share together is hopefully something we will carry with us far into the future as these people are now some of the most important people in my life.

I cannot wait to meet each of you and I hope you enjoy your week at home with friends and family!

Best,
Emma C

Posted by Global LAB at 02:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I hope all is well at Lifebridge and you've been able to stay warm amidst the dumping of snow in the northeast. One Ladakhi I met today told me he had heard all about it on the news, and how Leh hasn't gotten nearly that much snow this winter!

Peter, Namgial, Amit and I are putting last minute things into place and very much looking forward to your arrival. We will meet you off the plane at the airport and get you safely to the hotel just in time for a good night's sleep before the exploration of Delhi begins.

Travel safely, sing some songs together, and eat some extra s'mores for me!

See you soon,

Tracy

Posted by Global LAB at 01:39 PM | Permalink

Hello all. My name is Matthew Rubin. I am from Durham NC where I just graduated from Carolina Friends School, a small quaker school in the wood's where i have spent my whole life. For the start of my gap year I was in Oxford England taking classes in art/photography, music technology, and philosophy. I enjoy playing music and all that jazz and also have a strong passion for the search for Atlantis. I look forward to spending three months in India with everybody and think it is going to be an amazing experience.

Matt

Posted by Global LAB at 04:00 PM | Permalink

I'm Chris from New Hampshire. I Graduated from Holderness School last year and am taking a gap year. I spent the first semester in England with Matt Rubin. It was odd seeing him again (on the bus in NYC) in a completely different setting. Culturally, England wasn't very different except for some English quirks. I am looking forward to India and Caitlin I do know your mom.

The last two days of getting to know my group and learning about how to keep myself from getting sick has been exciting. India seems so different. I have a much better idea of what to expect in India, but I feel what I imagine in my head is not close to what I will experience. I hope that this experience will be eye opening and a lot of fun.

Chris

Posted by Global LAB at 04:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Life's good in the "Gunks" and Lifebridge Sanctuary was again a perfect setting for the semester students and leaders to get together for a couple days' worth of community building and preparation before plunging into India this spring...

Michelle, Matt, Sarah, Noah, Chris, Emma, JB, Kempie, Remy (not pictured: Caitlin & Tracy, who are already in Delhi)

In search of a group theme song, Remy began by "playing" the globe in a spontaneous percussion circle

Posted by Global LAB at 07:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hi All,

Just spoke with Tracy, who was happy to report that the whole gang is together (with all their bags, too) and heading to their guest house. They will begin in-country orientation later today on the lawn of the Red Fort and start taking in the sights of the country's capital. Check back soon for photos and more.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hello All. After a few day's of exploring just a few of the many amazing sites this city has to offer we have finally made it to a cumputer and are all bloging away. After only three days of being here i feel like we have already experienced so much. From practicing our cartwheels at the Ghandi museum, seeing more animatronics in the many temples then i have in disney world, or indulging in some amazing brain curry, we are all pumped and ready for more. Tonight we will be boarding the night train to beggin our 4 day boat journey down the ganges. Hope all is well back home.

Matt

Posted by at 06:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Chris bathes in the Ganges

I don't know how I lived until four days ago. I have never liked coffee and tea never grabbed me, but Chai is caffeinated candy that I can't stop drinking. The day does not begin until I have Chai and a parata (spelled wrong) or a samosa. It started the morning we arrived in India. We left the Mohini Palace for the Woodlands Restaurant a couple blocks away. I was jetlagged and grumpy from traveling for 48 hours and wanted to go to bed. I was apprehensive about the meal because I love peanut butter Captain Krunch and a glass of oj in the morning, and I was pretty sure that was not on the menu. The restaurant was completely empty and I had a feeling that this was not a rare occurrence. This worried me because Brad had said don't eat at an empty restaurant.

Continue reading "I love Chai" »

Posted by Chris at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hello everyone, we made it to India!

Well, being back in India has been wonderful. The weather is perfect, though a bit cold later in the day.
We have been exploring some of the sites of Delhi; some of the more unique sites have been the contemporary Hindu temples that grace the Delhi landscape. The robotic Krishna story at the ISKCON temple was a bizarre affair. But no sites was more perplexing as the Swami Narayan temple on the outskirts of Delhi. This mammoth temple designated to a swami from Ayodah, included a robotic life story of the swami, a water-fountain light show, and a river boat ride down a gallery illustrating important Indian artistic, religious and cultural achievements. Sadly when leaving this ride, the audio narration said something like "let's return India to its former glory". The temple is probably larger than the Konarak temple in Orissa. There were more Indians here than any westerners. After leaving I really felt that this temple was probably funded by some big Indian company, maybe the Birla family. I just don't know why this teacher is so important, and why would he warrant such a large temple. Sai Baba-ji a more important figure in the eyes of Indians doesnt't even have as large of a temple. So I believe it might be politics and a little Hindutva. The interior of the temple included relics of the swami, the caption the objects was designed to look old, which made me a bit weary of their importantance. Everything constructed just seemed so purposeful. This religious group is followed by 8 million people and the large Mandir that caused a cultural parade in Chicago is a BAPS construction. I am bit confused about this order. There is a reincarnate teacher in power now, who teaches the 200 year old scriptures.

Continue reading "Namaste, Greetings from the Motherland," »

Posted by JB at 06:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sarah with a few new friends

To all my friends and family who are reading this, I am alive and well. India has been wonderful! By far one of the best parts of this land is the Chai :). Me thinks a good number of us are mildly addicted to the stuff...or at least close to it. But I won't dwell much more on Chai, becasue Chriss over there has already claimed it as the subject for his blog entry. Instead I'll talk about the children. They are so cute! From the little girl in the red dress who would smile britely and reach out her hand to me to grasp every time i saw her in the museum; to the children outside of Jama Masjid with whom I played pass the truck. One of the hardest things is when they come up to you, palm outstreached, begging for money you know you can not give.

Well it is time for us to cram into Gypsy mobile, with our driver Amit at the wheel and head out to lunch.
Yum!!! ^_^

Posted by Sarah at 07:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

By the time we stumbled out of the plane after some hours of Bollywood films and almost sleep, the fog was already too thick to see out the airport window. Walking to claim our bags, I saw the older woman whom I sat next to walking away with a younger woman also in my isle. They had met on the plane and talked in Hindi quietly and quickly for the whole trip. As they walked away they held each other’s hand. I felt my first isolation.

Continue reading "A Certain Kind of Slug" »

Posted by at 07:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tracy begins Delhi orientation

As we're jamming out to Backstreet Boys and Ricky Martin in the internet cafe, the blog is being christened with thoughtful entries sharing just a few of the experiences that we've been having.

We've seen sights in Old Delhi like the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), a Sikh Gudwara, a Jain Temple and the famous Red Fort in Delhi. Also, we visited the ISKCON Temple and learned about Krishna consciousness and why Krishna devoties wear their hair shaved, with a tuft in the back (So if they get distracted from the path, Krishna can take a good hold and pull back.) We've eaten wondrous meals of south India dosa and uttapam, nursed chai addictions, and (finally) ate at the best resturant in Delhi, Gulnar, where Noah and Matt graciously finished half a brain cooked up with curry.

Today, we'll visit an orphanage and hang out with some of the children who live there after their school is out. We'll take in the National Museum this evening and prepare ourselves for our first train ride, landing in Allahabad where we will meet our boatmen and start our journey on Ganga-ji. (Arrrrrrr. (pirate noise) )

We're so thankful for all of the help and support we've recieved from our friends and coordinators in Delhi. Constant patience and flexibility on the part of the students, leaders, and coordinators have offered a solid base for a beautiful journey!

We'll be in touch soon...

Posted by Tracy at 07:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

All is well here in Mirzapur and the boat ride has been wonderful so far!

We'll arrive to Varanasi after one more night and be able to email more details soon.

Tracy

Posted by Global LAB at 03:57 PM | Permalink

Namaste, everyone! Yes, we've all made it safely to Varanasi and are settling into a more normal routine. The first week has flown by - the busy streets of Delhi that were roaring with wedding festivities, a long train ride to Allahabad, four days floating down the Ganges, "The Baba Hunts", temples, Matt's historic changing-of-the-overalls, water buffalos, Amit's cooking, and so much more. While traveling down the Ganges, the students broke up into pairs and worked on recording their experience using audio recordings, photography, and creative writing tools. Now that we have settled into a place with internet and, at the very least, reliable electricity, the group is working to put their perspectives together into a digital story that shows/tels their trip down the Ganges. I won't spoil anything, but here are some photos for the time being of the past week in Delhi and on the boat. (For more photos, click on the Flickr icon with the rotating images on the right side of the blog.)

Last night was the student's first night with their homestay families. All of the families are within less than a five minute walk from each other, located in, roughly, the same neighborhood. After Hindi lessons this morning we all gathered to swap stories. The rest of the morning and part of the afternoon will be spent introducing everyone to their ISP teachers... and let me tell you, there are some awesome projects that the students are focusing on. I'll let them write about them, but here are some of the topics: stone carving, audio stories/interviews with the milk-stand-man, working at an orphanage, sitar, and a bunch of others.

Everything is moving along smoothly as we find our steps in Varanasi.

Remy

Posted by Remy at 05:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

For their parts in the Ganga Trip project, Caitlin and Noah wrote two creative writing pieces focusing on the same thing: walking from the back of the boat to the front.

Caitlin described what she saw, and Noah described what he felt.

Together, the pieces paint the scene and move to the stern. Enjoy.
(Caitlin's will be up later today)

Here is Noah's:

How I feel walking across the boat.

As I contemplate how I am going to move from the back of the boat to the front, a small wave hits our side and we rock slightly to the left. I close my eyes and feel us tip back to center. Not often enough do I have the opportunity to contemplate buoyancy and balance.

I feel the constant shaking of the motor. How I adjust situationally always surprises me, ironically catching me consistently off guard. When the motor runs we live with it, all shaking together, our eyes following shaky words in books and our sunglasses like polarized magnets on our nose. When it turns off we forget about it quickly. We resume a normal vocal volume and gather our bags.

The front of the boat is covered in sun. It looks distant from where I sit in the shade. For the past couple of hours I have sat reading, guiltily not looking too intently at my surroundings. I watch my group mates sleeping and I think, “at least I am not sleeping.” I immediately regret thinking that, wondering out loud why I can not relax. It is hard for me to remember that there is no competition in traveling. No element of collection either. I decide that I want some sun, and fold the top corner of the page I was reading.

We stash our bags in the center of our boat. On either side, there are two long white wooden benchs, with a one forth inch cushion coving the top of them entirety. Two nights ago, our first night on the boat, I rapped this cushion around my arms to try to stay warm. Now, on my part of the bench, the cushion has fallen to the floor. I didn’t really care, but I would be lying if I did not mention that this cushion, and the state of its being, did not contribute to my decision to move to the front. Also, I was cold again.

I stand up. The metal hand built roof of the boat allows me to get up to about half of my full height before stooping over. As I turn to my head to face the front, feeling my feet follow, I notice Sarah. She is holding her knees looking out at the river. I think to myself that this would make a great picture. My camera is not accessible. I creak as I stretch, but not really.

I have never thought before about the split second it takes for me to feel ready to move. As I take steps towards my sunny destination, I consistently check and recheck my path, direction and objective. I step over the bags, books and people. The front of the boat is now moving beneath my feet.

Posted by Remy at 04:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Holi breaks out in the Berkshires

The B2B Spring '06 Posse, post-fire ceremony, light offering, and Holi Play-sends the B2B Spring '07 Delegates salutations and warm wishes!

Spring like temperatures, blue skies, birdsong, a full moon, and a total lunar eclipse--it must be Holi. Some of you will celebrate your first Holi with homestay families in Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges; some of us (Erin, Michelle, Frank, last spring's Brahma to Buddha alum) are gathering together in the Berkshires over the next couple of days to reflect and re-connect; others in the ever widening B to B circle will be under a full moon in Greece, China, Argentina....

Wherever you find yourself this Holi, may the fires burn bright, the rainbow of colors arc brilliantly as winter's cold and gray again make way for spring's return.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Namaste,

Well, it has been a long time since I last posted, so I am going to be writing a lot, the final complete post might take a day or two. and you might see it in a couple of different stages, or unfinished

Delhi was spectacular, probably the highlight of Delhi was visiting the NAZ center (an orphanage for AIDS stricken children). This wonderful orphanage is in charge of 31 children. This exceptionally clean orphanage provides English lessons, onsite medical help and a slew of other benefits many normal day street children wouldn't have access to. As Sarah said, "these children have been given a bad card in life but also they have a great card that many street kids might not have." Even though they are stricken with a life-threating sickness, there living and learning arrangements are truly un-parrelled in India, a country of extreme poverty. Interacting with the Manipurian kid, named Chopsticks was a thrill, his story was sad. Both his parents died from AIDS, so his grandpa but him in an outhouse to avoid interacting with him. Manipur's AIDS rate is so high that his grandpa thought it spread like a common day flu. Also there was a wonderful fat kid, that sat quietly on the floor gazing up with his big cheeks. According to Teresa, this child came into the orphange on the death bed from starvation, and now he is on a diet. And when asked about his name he sometimes calls himself fat ass. This was a wonderful and insightful experience, and I was very interested to hear that this was started by Indian American who lived in the USA working with AIDS in the Gay communities in the early 80's. NAZ has a strong focus on helping the Gay members of society, and many of the actual employees are gay. They also go to local gay hangout spots and pass out condoms. I was also extremly interested in hearing that NAZ works with the Hijra community (third-sex eunichs). This highly secretive society is linked to many religious texts and are considered good omens as well as bad omens. NAZ works with them a lot, and I have always been intriqued with them since I read Zia Jaffrey's "The Invisibles." Maybe I will volunteer one day to help out with Hijra community.

DOWN THE RIVER

ALLAHABAD:
We arrived in Allahabad on a 9 hour train. Coming into Allahabd was interesting, it is a much poorer city than Delhi, and a more cramped and dirty city compared to Varanasi. The actual city is uncharchteristic. Many tents where still erected from the Ardh Mela that occured very recently, though the presence of sadhus was centered down the river, a little further from where we would pick up the boat.

Continue reading "Boating Down the Ganges and arriving in Varanasi." »

Posted by JB at 04:04 AM | Permalink

Stern, starboard. Stone steps rise up from the water, here broad and flat, here steep and uneven, crumbling into the sandy stretches to either side. Rough concrete buildings and bright canopies stand crookedly on the slope, men talking and children playing in their shade. Our boat’s pink makes it distinctive among the crowd of narrow fishing crafts clustered at the bottom of the ghat, brown-grey wood showing bare in most places, decks open to the sun. Three old women squat by the water, slapping clothing against stone. Shapes grow less distinct as we move away, blurring into loose forms of sun-washed color.

Stern, port. The bank slopes gently back in shades of brown and green, seen dimly through mist; it is raining now, and cold. Fleece-wrapped, we huddle under our corrugated metal roof. Rain bounces up from the river, and Amit boils water and milk for chai on a gas burner; Matt and Noah are asleep against the luggage pile. A sadhu walks along the riverside, his faded oranges the landscape’s brightest color; the staff over his shoulder swings with the rhythm of his stride.

Midships, starboard. Plots of green farmland line the bank, thatched huts standing on the ridge above them, bright cloth draped over fenceposts to dry in the late morning sun. Figures move over the land; they look small and far-away, smudges only, dark and bright. The motor is pervasive, noise and vibration filling the senses and mind, the constant accompaniment of our course down the river—but now it stops, because we are making port for lunchtime. The green has given way to a stretching expanse of sand, pale and rippled and silent like the desert. We eat dahl and rice that the boatmen have cooked for us. Santosh pours a thin stream of ghee onto each plate from a small metal cup.

Midships, port. A little girl walks across a bridge as we approach, skinny brown legs silhouetted against the sky. She sees us and takes the wide, flat basket she carries from her head, crouching to wave between the rails. A ragged blanket falls around her shoulders and she meets my eyes—I can’t stop looking at her. We pass under, and she is still there, waving, when we emerge. The boat keeps going.

Bow. The sun is enormous, almost on the horizon now, red-orange like tikka powder. It reflects in the wake, giving itself back white on the peaks, fracturing rainbow in the troughs. The river is wide here, and shallow. Amit has filled two water bottles—he will take them home for his father. They roll back and forth with the motion of the boat, bumping over the deck. Tomorrow we will be in Varanasi.

Posted by Caitlin at 04:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Kempie in Color

Sanghamitra and Tracy keeping a watchful eye on the Holi festivities

Only a few traces remain...the hot pink splash on the chai seller's shirt, spatters of florescent color on the roads, goats, and dogs...The water buffalos and cows gnaw on the remnants from the trash piles by the side of the road. Memories of joyfully playing colors with the group and dancing the night away (until 9pm) on the rooftop of the program house linger in my mind. Life has returned to normal or at least the normality of Benares. I'm thoroughly impressed with how quickly the students have taken to the City of Lights in all of its choas, complexities, and intimacies.

Everyone has become very engaged with their ISPs. Matt and Noah are exploring the life and surroundings of a milk product seller at the crossroads of Assi Ghat and are also learning the fine techniques of sitar playing. Sarah, Caitlin, and Remy are learning the rhythms of the tablas from one of Varanasi's best teachers. Chris is pioneering a boat building apprenticeship. While Caitlin continues her yoga practice, other students have immersed themselves in meditative practices with Tracy. J.B. is learning to navigate the world of pilgrims in the various religious contexts that Varanasi has to offer. Some of the students are also trying their hand at the fine art of Indian cooking.

Continue reading "in Shiva's city..." »

Posted by at 06:59 AM | Permalink

My Varanasi ISP with the boat builders of the Ganges has been an eye-opening and pioneering experience. I am the first Global-labber to work with the boat men. The skill of these craftsmen is incredible. They build these fifteen to twenty-five foot long boats from memory using a hammer, chisel and hand-saw. These guys plane, rip, rout, and bend wood without electricity on the ghats at the edge of the Ganges. The speed and accuracy of their craftsmanship is something to marvel.

On Saturday they christened their newest boat with a beautiful Hindu ceremony. First, two women lit a candle and placed it in the center of Holi powder at the edge of the ghat. Flower wreathes were placed around the powder, then the entire offering was moved to the bow of boat. Offerings of food and Ruppies were placed on the bow, as well as the wreathes, powder and candles. One of the women began to sing while the other women placed a yellow hand print around the gunnel. One of the craftsman followed her, placing a red dot in the center of each hand print. Next the master boatman hits each nail on the gunnel one last time. He directed the men to lift the boat and launch it in the Ganges. Twenty men gather around the boat, lift and send it off into the water while the children cheer and jump on the boat as it glides out in the river. I was blessed to be invited to take pictures and share in their ritual.

Posted by Chris at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A new instrument
Pressing down with my fingers
Twang Resination

Posted by at 05:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Matt visits with a Sadhu

Thus far I have been interviewing Sadhus on the banks of the Ganges, also in ashrams that grace the interior of the city. My translator, Ramesh, has been a wonderful and funny man to hang around. Though we have spent a lot of time getting to the babas, the small amount of time I have had just interacting with these unique individuals has been great. The other day I saw this old baba bathing near Harishchandra ghat. He had long flowing white hair , a potbelly, and a huge crowd of sadhus watching him. He began reciting mantras - head shaking, hands clenched. It was later when he put on his authentic Rudraska hat as well as his tiger skin coat that I knew I had to interview him. The last two days have included an intense dialogue with this compassionate man. According to him, he has a following of 5,000 people. Just finding his personal kashi residence on Chasing Ghat was exciting. Yesterday I talked and took photos of his tiger skin and his unique silver cobra snake chasity belt that he was wearing. Well, I plan to interview him a couple more times though I am trying to get a broad perspective of pilgrimage. I plan to interview the dalits involved with cremation and how they faciliatate pilgrims, aghoris at Kinaram ashram, Sufis at their Varanasi shrine and maybe some other things. Interviewing takes time and my translator is not always free so I will pick what I feel would best suit me. I am trying to get a broad perspective on different kinds of religious devotion.

I have learned a lot just about the process and I have cherished the adventures and the ones that will follow.

Thanks for tuning in,
J.B.

Posted by JB at 05:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Noah and his homestay sisters in Varanasi

I felt like I was marching to my death. My group members were all looking grim as well, trying to distract themselves with small talk. The clouds were dark and I could have sworn I heard thunder from a distance. It was raining. Beneath our feet rocks jumped like spiders. Even the normally funky looking water buffalo seemed somewhat sinister, leering especially at me and shaking their black and white tails. We, as a group walked down a main road, away from the ghats and towards the center of town.

I had heard the name of my home stay family the night before for the first time. I forgot it immediately. Like American names, Indian names are very hard for me. Back home, I am always the last person to learn the names when I am introduced to a friend of a friend, or find myself at a group orientation. We got little descriptions of our families as well. I was told that my family would have a mother and father and three younger sisters, aged 7, 11 and 15. I laughed and looked forward to meeting them eventually.

For the past couple of days I had been feeling a little sad. I wouldn’t say I was homesick, (sorry family), but more that I was missing a loving energy. I had spent the year so far around people whom I felt so comfortable with, and now I had to start over again. As rain started falling, I wondered quietly through the streets, trying not to let myself write “I’m lonely” to my girlfriend Lesley back home in some pitiful plea for sympathy.

Continue reading "homestay reflection by Noah" »

Posted by Remy at 01:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Well,

We just got back from our wonderful, yet brief engagement in Bihar. We were lucky enough to drive on the Grand Trunk Road, a road that has been used by travelers and traders for hundreds of years. If you read Rudyard Kipling's Kim you will understand a greater side of its past. Driving to Bihar we did not experience as many trucks as we did when we came back. On the way back we were stuck in this almost romantic traffic jam as the sunset. I remember this moment fondly, because as the trucks honked there horns slowly moving along, you could see the silhout of farmers, bikers and people just walking. There is a errie stillness to most Indian nights, and driving home from BodhGaya was one of those moments. I was just wondering what these members were thinking, it just seemed like some cinematic procession of village people through this rehearsed "Sunset Ballet".

On the way I had the privilege to talk with our adorable taxi driver, his hair-tuft and all. We joked about dacoits, though I don't know if he knew what I was referring to. We also had this pretty powerful talk about naxalites and there placement in Bihari society. According to him they are good thing, because then the rich don't live off the poor peoples work. He motioned to his stomach and said "food" addressing the fact that many Bihari's are unable to obtain the basic needs. Bihar is considered one of the most lawless states of India as well as the poorest. Buddha even told his followers that the glory of Bihar would one day be taken over by corruption and despair. Driving into Bihar, made me feel like I was in South India, but many of the rock formations looked very much like the Aravalli ranges in Rajasthan. The land was lush, though the architecture and overall infrastructure was much more basic, thatched roofs and mud houses. When we made it to our first larger town, it reminded me of my first trip to Kenya, people were clinging to the streets walking or riding on bike-rickshaws, there was not as much of a car presence.

Continue reading "BodhGaya and Bihar" »

Posted by JB at 06:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ganges Sunset

color and light. our first night in varanasi we walked down the ganga to the main burning ghat, to watch the puja that takes place there every evening after sunset. the river was bright with lanterns and bulbs, crowded with the hired boats of tourists (indian, western) watching the ceremony from the water. we climbed the stone steps up behind, looking down to the platforms standing over the river. seven young brahmins stood in pyramid ranks in the center, clapping rhythmically-- at some subtle signal the beat came faster and faster and then, suddenly, stopped-- they fanned out into a straight line (oranges and cloth-of-gold flashing in the flourescent lights that flooded the ghat) and took their places facing out over gangama. men standing to either side below began pulling long bellropes and the ringing made a top line over the chants coming brokenly from the speakers all around. and then, the offerings; for the next hours in slow, perfectly synchronized motion, with incense sticks and censers and trees of burning candles they paid homage to the river. smoke hung around them, patterning the air, catching the light from the colored bulbs strung into flashing umbrella shapes overhead.

Posted by Caitlin at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

i walked with my fellow travellers as we disappeared, one by one, into our homestays, excitement on the tongue but fear in the stomach. down the lane, through the gate and the low doorway, and into my home-- and here, my family all waiting for me, excited (?) and nervous (?) as i. broad smiles and frequent nodding, hands pressed together at the heart over and over in greeting and thanks-- the first evening passed quickly, in awkwardness and eager goodwill. mataji is the beloved ruler of the household, taking care of her four children (my big sisters, shalu and tuni; then essu--also older than me-- and the irrepressible little brother rishu) with an astonishing strength; they adore each other overwhelmingly. and over the next days, the slow magic of human relationship transformed our relationship--discomfort and otherness into easy intimacy. eveningtime we sit together on the big bed they all share in the house's central room; my sisters have a common mania for photography and i have seen the family history back to their mother's childhood (look at mama--she's so beautiful! the most beautiful of her friends-- pointing to her among the other sari-wrapped schoolgirls in a black-and-white photo). every evening tuni helps rishu to study for his exams (social studies and maths over now, english and hindi still to come) with endless, quiet patience--until his fourteen-year-old energy can take no more sitting, and he jumps up to bounce around the room, making absurd faces or singing songs, teasing his sisters endlessly. shalu painted my fingernails and told me about her studies, her cousins, her clothes, her puja; i showed them pictures of my home. they let me help them roll dough for roti, laughing at the irregular shapes of mine.

saturday was holi. for twenty-four hours the streets of banares went mad, a riot of color-- men danced and drank bhang and threw neon powder until faces and skin and clothing were unrecognizable, lighting gigantic fires on the street corners. women stayed at home, and i spent the day with my sisters-- we cooked traditional holi sweets (dry milk and fruits wrapped in pastry, deep-fried in ghee) and watched the celebrations from the rooftop. that evening the men returned to their homes and the children came out-- walking from house to house to recieve candy and blessings, drawing bright lines of tikka on the foreheads of their elders, touching their feet. shalu whispered something to one of the groups of children, and when it was my turn for tikka they attacked me instead, rubbing yellow and purple and pink and green into my hair and over my cheeks and forehead.

Posted by Caitlin at 11:38 AM | Permalink

Professor Rana-ji Singh leads our group's re-tracing of the Panchakroshi Yatra

We've returned, missing being soaked by hail stones and torrential downpour by about 30 seconds, from the Panchakroshi Yatra! This yatra is a Hindu pilgrimage to important sites around the Banaras area. Many pilgrims travel this route on Shivaratri (Shiva's Night) during the middle of February or every three years during the extra month added to the Hindu calendar. The 84 km route encircles the surrounding villages and is usually walked in five or six days stopping to perform ceremony at the important points along the way. We did just this, utilizing the modern marvels of fossil fuel.

Rana-ji Singh, professor of cultural geography at Banaras Hindu University, was our guide on the journey and we enjoyed his passion and giggling at his stories of Shiv and Parvati, Balarama and Krishna as they came alive to us through his candid storytelling.

We started from the program house at 8 am and as we approached the final site of the yatra, thick dark storm clouds billowed overhead. We saw the original Shiva linga (representation of male and female energy that is honored by adorning with milk, honey, flowers, incense and money) and a special dancing Ganesha (the elephant-headed god) before the power went out. We raced back to the cars to beat the rain, and made it just in time. Rain (much less hail) this time of year is unheard of in Banaras, or so the locals say.

Continue reading "Co-Pilgrimy Yours" »

Posted by Tracy at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

six hours by car down the grand trunk road (this, perhaps less smooth than some highways) left us stiff and sore and grateful for freedom as we arrived at the Burmese pilgrim's house in bodh gaya. leaving our things in the small dormitory (stringing nets against the swarming hordes of mosquitoes sharing our residence there) we set out. a short walk brought us to the stupa, standing at the site of the buddha's enlightenment under the bodhi tree.

the deer park at sarnath where the Buddha gave his first teaching felt like an important historical site when we visited, replete with statues and monuments, carefully kept gardens spread over the once-wild deer park. but an element of the air at bodh gaya made enlightenment somehow a conceivable thing there, a very definite power pervasive in the atmosphere. said power, the reason Gautama chose this spot for his meditations? a thing imposed there by his spiritual efforts so many years ago? or is it a culmination of the energies of so many offerings, so many devotions, so many prayers? philip larkin called a church a serious house on serious earth. if there is any place proper to grow wise in, it is such a place as this.

Continue reading "under the bodhi tree" »

Posted by Caitlin at 12:33 PM | Permalink

Remy's now safely back in the USA, with 4,000 photos from India...

And some very colorful memories.

From all of us at Global LAB, thanks Remy for helping to get the spring India semester off to such an outstanding start. We are all looking forward to seeing, reading, and hearing more of the digital storytelling projects you have been mentoring with the students as they engage with India!

John

Posted by Global LAB at 09:26 PM | Permalink

Matt, giving thanks in a kind of Hindi

Matt's Homestay Mom

JB had us all laughing this evening at our farewell party to our homestay families here in Banaras with this quote!

We're wrapping up our time here, and reflecting on what we've accomplished these past three weeks. Learning reaches deep with each of the students. I watched some insightful presentations on beginning tabla (da ti ri ki te ta ka), sitar, hammering straight nails into recycled wood to build boats, and Hindu Tantrism. More than the new (mad) skillz the students have picked up is the insight with which they all seem to be approaching and navigating life and culture in India. We arrived in Banaras literally fresh off the boat and leave here seasoned travelers starting to stretch our wings.

The best part of today, though, was watching the students connect with their homestay families over samosa, gulab jamun, halwa, chai and other such snacks at our farewell celebration. The room filled with light-hearted laughter as each student shared their touching thanks to their families in bobbled Hindi. I've not seen some of the homestay moms laugh so hard! The connections each made with their families was crystal clear.

Tomorrow, we leave the heart of Hindustan and head west for adventures in Sikhism.

Stay Tuned!

Peace,

Tracy

Posted by Tracy at 06:37 PM | Permalink

Chris and Sanghamitra

Thanks for the update, Tracy, and thanks to all of our friends in Varanasi who have once again helped to create such a remarkable range of learning and living opportunities.

Galen, Michelle, and Erin and many others were with some Himalayan friends here in NYC recently; check out Galen's post on last semester's blog for more on the NYC-Dharamsala-Alaska-Tibet-Vermont connections that were happening on March 10!

Safe travels as you make your way from the plains up to Amritsar and then Dharamsala.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 08:05 PM | Permalink

Below is an audio reflection that Noah recorded.

Caitlin meets her Homestay Mom in Dharamsala

Hi Everyone, and a loud Tashi Delek to you as I sit here on Yogibara Road in Dharamsala basking in the amazingly cool weather and the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

We were so fortunate to receive a blessing from His Holiness this morning as we attended a long life ceremony for him sponsored by the Sakya Lineage. We stood amongst hundreds of Sakya devotees as they sat and chanted along with the prayers, received blessed food, and beamed with happiness as His Holiness walked with His Holiness Sakya Trizin Rinpoche down the stairs and across the courtyard of Namgial Monastery.

Matt with his Homestay mom in Dharamsala

All of us were quite "blissed out" at this happening, especially its timing as we had a talk scheduled at the Tibetan Library of Works and Archives with Ven. Geshe Lhakdor-la, the current director of the Library. Geshe-la delivered a wonderful talk on the basics of impermanence and precious human birth in the context of the current political happenings all over the globe. Students asked thoughtful questions and we all left the room feeling quite light, taking time to look over the balcony of the roof at the towering, lush green Himal across the valley.

Tonight, students are safe and sound with their homestay families and the rains have arrived yet again. At least today, the hail has held off, though the thunder and lightening are clear. Tomorrow, we will start our study of Tibetan language and hear from the first of our guest speaker series as well as get started with our various ISPs that will hold our focus for the next bit of time. An exciting two weeks is planned before we head into retreat for 10 days.

We hope you are all well and emerging from winter successfully!

Posted by Tracy at 12:59 PM | Permalink

"How we doin'?" as they say in Maine... a little different from the "Namaste" that I became accustomed to over the past month in India. After testing every transportation vehicle except a pair of roller skates and a pogo stick, I'm back in northern New England. A fresh dump of snow has changed my mindset quickly - I grab a down jacket now instead of a pair of flipflops. Chai addicts have been replaced by coffee addicts. The streets are a bright white, rather than a dusty brown.
I imagine the group looking over the himalyas and feeling the bite of cold temperatures compared to the increasingly warm and humid air of Varanasi. How is the transition from Hinduism to Buddhism going? Hope all of you are taking care of each other and soaking in everything around you.

Below is an ad made by the students during the first weeks in India. Originally, the format of the ad was to be serious, but after such a crazy day/two days of travel... well... crowded Delhi streets informed the narrative. It's comedic style and choppy shots of the street are telling of late nights and jetlag-leftovers during the first week in Delhi. ENJOY.

Global LAB ad

Posted by Remy at 09:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

,

I knew that Pakistan and India were serious competitors. Their rivalries has been bubbling since Partition, boiling over in 1971, again in the nineties over Kashmir, and in international Cricket matches. But to me, these rivalries have been pages in text books or stories on the evening news. I had never experienced their rivalry first hand until Monday. Our adventure to the Wagah Border crossing began with our arranged rickshaw ride trying to exploit us, which Tracy would have none of. After negotiating an acceptable price for ourselves and another westerner who was being ripped off (Global-LAB helping others) we made our way across the Punjab towards Pakistan.

The ride was uneventful (except for passing a gym called "Guns") until we arrived at a dirt parking lot with small food stands lining the far side of the road from the car. As soon as we pulled in to the parking lot the car was swarmed by kids selling the cheapest cardboard visors and Indian flags for ten rupies each. After negotiating the price down to five each, we all bought something from then to show our blood bleeds orange, white and green, except for Caitlin. Since she had no pro-Indian paraphernalia, a herd of child-vendors followed her around shouting "please, please, please" and becoming increasingly insistant that she should by a visor or flag. They eventually dispersed after insisting that she was not interested in their useless stuff.

Continue reading "When We Went to Wagah" »

Posted by Chris at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Washing dishes at the Golden Temple, Amritsar

we left shiva's city early on saturday morning. my mother pushed a tiffin box of breakfast into my hands as i hurried to pack my things, and with it, a beautiful woolen shawl i had seen her wearing in the evenings. to keep you warm-- on the train. she would not hear of my refusing it, any more than she would let me leave the house in the mornings without having taken my chai. she kissed me on both cheeks. tuni and shalu walked with me to meet the rest of the group, and the rickshaws that would take us to the train station.

one day and one night, and we were in the punjab-- the golden temple in amritsar, holiest of holies for the sikhs. arriving and leaving our things in the dharamshala there (dharamshala meaning "refuge", the pilgrims' resthouse, where we would sleep), we went to eat our lunch in the public kitchen. on either side of the staircase people stood with stacks of spoons, bowls, and metal plates, hands flying as they distributed them among the pilgrims. we passed through their lines and through the doors, into an enormous hall filled from edge to edge with scarf-wrapped women and turbaned men. people sat cross-legged on the floor in long rows, facing each other, an aisle between-- more helpers moved down these at incredible speeds, ladling dhal and aduki and rice and kheer onto the empty plates. men with large flat baskets of chappati swung from one side to the other, dropping the hot bread into waiting palms (two hands for receiving, right laid over left).

Continue reading "at the golden temple" »

Posted by Caitlin at 11:28 AM | Permalink

In Dharamsala

This morning we got a clear view of the towering snowcapped Himalayan Mountains that bridge the gap between heaven and earth here in Dharamsala. It seems that everyone is enjoying the fresh mountain air! Our past two days have been filled with getting to know homestay families, beginning ISPs, and learning Tibetan language and script. The highlights have certainly been the passionate and inspiring talks given by Lhasang Tsering, former president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, and Ama Adhe, a survivor of a grueling 27 year prison sentence. Both have written powerful pieces in English and I encourage you all to seek them out. It has been a true honor to have them in our presence. From the plight of the Tibetan people to their unprecedented kindness all under the backdrop of this beautiful mountain town, one cannot help but be moved by this place.

Posted by at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Blogging connects all of us through the internet in amazing ways. We can share in our loved ones' journeys across the globe, comment with sentiments of support, encouragement, and information. We are quite lucky to have this tool to deepen our personal connections while we are far away from each other, or while we are right next door.

With this in mind, I thank you all - parents, students, friends, loved ones - for contributing to our online Global LAB community. And with this post, I ask for even more response and interaction than before. My gratitude in advance for reading on.

Lhasang Tsering.
Tibetan Freedom Activist.
He spoke to our group the other day. His talk left all of us reeling with hope and determination to contribute in whatever way we can to the cause of Tibet. The students and I were totally charged.

One piece of his talk, which rang true to me last semester when we heard him speak as well, stayed with me again this time:

Lhasang-la suggested that we use our power and privilege in a functional way when we get back to the states. "When you get back home, there will be so much to tell and share about with your family and friends. Please talk about Tibet," he says to us. He asked us to "ask our politicians to take a good look at a good map," one that shows the actual boundaries of Tibet during the last centuries and point out how Tibet was independent of China. Not only this, but look at a good map currently that shows how the 4 occupied territories have been assimilated into China.

Last semester, I asked him about where I could find a map of this sort to show folks back home. We looked and looked for one but couldn't find a "good map" of these things. I am continually inspired to find one, or make one that shows these truths.

Map making is totally subjective. Maps are arbitrary visual communications of political borders that are constantly changing. There are maps made these days that are "fair to all people of the world." (I know this, but my good ol' gradschool SIT has them for sale in the bookstore.) But are they really? Are maps able to communicate genocide and millions of people living in exile from their homes? are they able to communicate families being split apart with no hope of seeing each other again in their lifetimes?

My question for all of you...
Does anyone have connections with a mapmaker, or know how one would go about making a map? This is where the networking and the wonders of the internet come in. I would really like to make this happen. More amazingly, I would like to publish such a map and make sure it gets into the hands of political powerfuls in the U.S. Government and plenty of activists in all communities that are working toward the cause of a Free Tibet.

What do you all think?

Posted by Tracy at 04:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Learning about the burning ghats on the banks of the Ganges

The city of Banaris was quite the experience. I was reminded on many ways of NYC. Mind you NYC doesn't have cows and water buffalo wandering streets freely eating from the many piles of garbage. You will also not have rickshaw drivers everywhere you look all asking "Hello ma'am, Rickshaw?". You cannot walk along any Ghats watching people bath or bodies being burned. You won't see Baba's or people carrying incredible loads on their head. You will find the same sort of energy you find in NYC, but Banaris is simply so uniquely Banaris.

My homestay family was absolutely wonderful. I had great fun playing the various forms of cricket my younger brother Chootu (not quite sure how you spell that) taut me. Watching him play I was struck, as I was in Nicaragua, by how differently he and the other kids amuse themselfs. For example he knew just how to throw his ball against a wall, corner, the ceiling or floor so that it came right back to him. Making me think this game was one of (in addition to reading the paper) the main ways he amused himself. My mother, or mataji, was a wonderful woman. Always willing to make me an early breakfast so I could get to that 8 or 9 o'clock Hindi lesson. As well as an early dinner so I could be in bed by 8:30 9:00 (where as the family ate closer to 11:00 pm). Never once did I feel unwelcome and my family was most accepting of my American habits (like making my food into a burrito, which they found most amuzing).

Sarah & Caitlin present to the group about their study of the Tabla

For my ISP I took Tabla lessons, with Caitlin (forgive me for not knowing how to spell your name! >.<) and Remy. Quite the crazy instrument Tabla is. And heavy, ouf.

Banaris was also when Remy left us. We were all quite bummed to say the least. I liken it to a puzzle; now with one of it's pieces missing. Sure the rest of the pieces still fit together and you can still see the picture and so the puzzle still works. But there will always be that empty spot in the middle.

Posted by Sarah at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

During the in-country orientation, one place that the group visited was the Gandhi Museum. Along with drafting the group's charter, looking at maps, and framing the trip, the group relaxed on the lush lawn and learned/perfected the art of cartwheeling. Afterwards, the group toured the high-tech museum, participating in the interactive multi-media exhibits. For those who are traveling in or through Delhi, the multi-media Gandhi experience is a must. For the group, it brought up questions focusing on simplicity: Would Gandhi want such a high-tech museum in his name? Would he want one at all? What is the purpose of these multi-media exhibits? Are they more powerful than the written word or still picture? Does this technology communicate Gandhi's ideals? What are your thoughts?

Watch the most-excellent cartwheelin' sessions at the Gandhi Museum in Delhi:

Video 1

Video 2

Cartwheeling with Gandhi

Posted by Remy at 08:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hello,

Here in Dharamsala everything is very fine and super, just now we back from Tsopema Rewalsar and been to Tashi Gonj for mass Dance for Guru Rinpoche birthday, we arrange and it was really good and they are happy for all. So here everything is going very well and no need to worry.

Peter Sonam, Dharamsala Coordinator

Posted by Global LAB at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Since I last wrote we have had the pleasure of speaking with Palden Gyatso, meeting with His Holiness Karmapa, attending a JJI Exile Brothers concert, taking an overnight to Tso Pema and watching masked lama dances in Tashi Jong on Guru Rinpoche's birthday!

Palden Gyatso, a monk imprisoned in China for 33 years, spoke to us about the torture he endured and he has dedicated his life to exposing the atrocities committed towards the Tibetan people on an international level. That night, we all gathered in the JJI Exile Brothers' Cafe, run by their mother and our lovely language teacher, Nimala, for a concert. It was a powerful night of passionate music (sung in English and Tibetan) about peace and freedom, and we even enjoyed a special opening act by our very own Matt, Noah, and Tracy!
,

Meeting with the Karmapa was a true blessing for us all! Thangkas and malas were blessed and he allowed us to sit with him and ask questions for 20 minutes. According to Peter, he usually only allows for 10-15 minutes of questioning, so the gods must have been on our side that day! The students asked very thoughtful questions and H.H. Karmapa even gave us some tips for our upcoming meditation retreat.

Continue reading "in the presence of holiness" »

Posted by at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tashi Delek,

Meeting the 17th Karmapa was one of the highlights of the trip. We all arrived at his monastery in the early morning on the day of the 26th. I was wearing my brown chuba that I bought down on temple road. All of us had our selective objects for blessing. I brought a little more than most individuals, two thangkas, a bag full of malas, bodhi leaves, some silk, and a bronze Buddha, the Karmapa himself even rolled his eyes when I placed my ripped brown paper bag filled of stuff in his hands.

Our meeting was very intimate and with every question H.H. peered deep inside his soul to answer the questions that we poised. My question was "As a spirtual leader, what do you feel your purpose in life is, and also what do you think the purpose for the ordinary man is?"

This was a big question, but for him the most important thing is continuing his studies and keeping the role of this 900-year old lineage, after that then he can attend to his own needs. According to him the ordinary man, also has to work, study, and then attend to himself. The answer was not as introspective and deep as I would have liked but it was thoughtful none the less. He continued to sit in his Plexiglas sofa, in this room filled with Astroturf and windows on either side. I noticed that the thangkas and embroidered art on the wall seemed very low-quality.

Chris asked an interesting question, "why are you always so serious?" According to H.H. he is so wrapped up in thought and intention that most of his emotion stays inside. So if he were to laugh, it would be to laugh inside. Though when sitting up close to him, as I smiled at him as he talked, it seemed like he noticed and even gave me a half-smile, so it seemed like even behind the facade of power, he is very human. All of a sudden he just said "done," and we were finished. After our talk he stood up, hovering over us, he is not a small man 6 foot with a football players body. He chanted some mantras and took out a silver jar, topped with a small ivory knob. He opened this, and sprinkled some type of water, beads or rice on us.

He then blessed all of our items, I was scurrying around trying to get everything in place, soon after giving my thangkas to the assistant and giving my paper to H.H., I was whispered to in the ear by H.H., and he humanly said "photo," like we were at some theme park. We turned around and took our shot, and this was the time we were supposed to leave.

After the photo, I turned around and looked at H.H. and said thank you, and seemed very much happy with my good thoughts. I clumsily waved goodbye, and slowly walked to the door, first with my back facing him, and then realizing this was improper, I turned around, and again clumsily walked out the door, waving him goodbye, H.H. probably thinking I was a nut-case with my awkward mannerisms. Though after leaving I really felt that he was very human, and the connection that I made with him that day, seemed like I could go back anytime and just start a everyday conversation, he didn't seem as un-earthly as I thought he would be.

After our meeting, I went home and went with my brother Namgyal Monastery to take some photos in my chuba.

Then my brother and I went to Palden Gyatso's house to talk further about the idea of freedom, the Iraq war and the notion of militarily imposed freedom. The evening ended with an exchange of a khatag and some malas blessed and given to me by Paldenla. He even showed me his prayer room, and he told me whenever I come back to Dharamsala, I should come back to him and learn some teachings.

It was a very succesful day,
Peace,
J.B.

Posted by JB at 04:44 AM | Permalink

Posted by Remy at 10:20 PM | Permalink

The Majestic Touch
The Him She Who Takes Me There
I Have Arrived, God

- Matthew

Posted by Tracy at 05:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Every morning my home stay mother wakes me up at 7:30 before I get dressed, so I have started sleeping in my clothes. After she apologizes for waking me and I assure her that I don’t care, she makes me five pancakes and asks me how I am feeling as we both watch the news on TV. Until 11:00, when Tibetan lessons start, I spend my time walking around town, filming, recording and talking to people, gathering media for eventual projects for the blog.

After our language lesson, guest speaker and lunch, which generally all wraps up by 3:00 pm, I take Tibetan guitar lessons on the roof of the Ladies Venture hotel on Yogibara Road. During the lessons, certain things always seem to happen. My hand is physically too big for the guitar, so me, Matt and the teacher, always spend some time laughing about that. The teacher and I can’t really communicate and gets to be frustrating as well as humorous, so we spend time laughing about that as well. Through all the confusion though, I end every lesson with a furthered appreciation of what seems like a simple instrument and a long page of music to memorize for the next lesson.

At 5:00 massage class starts. Matt is my partner in the class and we practice all sorts of different techniques on each other. It is so much fun and very relaxing.

I stay in the shrine room at my home stay, which is always smoky with incense by the time I get home at night. The grandmother sits on the porch outside my room and says, “Tashi Delek,” to me as I walk by her. Every night I say, “Tashi Delek Momola,” back. Also, for some reason, I always explain to her that I just have to drop off my bags in my room, feeling like I need an excuse for just walking by, as if she expected me to engage her in a wonderful conversation in Tibetan or understood my guilty excuse. I can’t have that conversation even though I would like to, so after I have finished dinner and tried my best to make small talk with my family, I generally go to sleep early, always trying to at least say thanks in as many ways as I can.

-Noah

Posted by Tracy at 05:30 AM | Permalink

Dharmsala presents a unique opportunity to learn about Tibetan Buddhist philosophy from Geshe Manlom-la from Kham, Tibet. Every morning Tracy and I walk down to the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives for an hour lecture on suffering and impermanence from The Words of My Perfect Teacher by Paltrul Rinpoche. Geshe Manlom-la teaches us about hungry ghosts, hedonistic gods seventy feet tall with a strong fear of death, and suffering caused by the attachment to materials. After class Tracy and I suffer at least one of the realms of hell on the long trek back to the Ladies Venture. We sweat our attachment to water as we discuss the day’s teachings.

After Tibetan language class and the daily speaker, I talk with Tibetans learning English with an organization called Lha. I spend an hour answering questions about famous basketball players, who will be the next President of the United States will be and who are my favorite actors. I explain that I am from New Hampshire, which is near New York City. The students then struggle with the pronunciation of my state, routinely calling it “New Hampster.” Many of these people are refugees born in Tibet. I ask them about their journey from Tibet and what life is like in Tibet under Chinese rule.

-Chris

Posted by Tracy at 05:31 AM | Permalink

For my ISP, I wanted to do jewelry making. Pyar Mohhamed (who would have been my teacher) was, however, visiting family in Rajasthan. So I did Tibetan Massage instead, with Caitlin, Matt, Noah and two other pairs. And now that the 5 day course is over, I’m going to do English conversation and Thangka painting. English conversation is quite awesome. The other day I spoke with two individuals. One was a young monk, maybe around my age, who left Tibet when he was 8. The other was a man who liked Basketball but not reading, and came over when he was 25. The point, as I understand it to be, is to help them practice speaking English/to develop their ear for it.

Sarah

Posted by Tracy at 05:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Eveningtime, after dinner has been eaten and my brother and sister have settled for nightly cartoons I walk up the steps to my neighbor’s house. I duck under the curtain in the doorway—tashi delek—come in, come in. He or his wife will be stirring vegetables and noodles in a pan; their baby sleeps or giggles in the corner. The room is warm and bright; I sit cross-legged on the couch and my teacher makes an easel with a pane of thick glass and the low table in the center of the room. First, I show him the Buddha head I have drawn for homework. See here? And here? He points to my mistakes, smiling kindly, voice gentle. A few quick, dark lines and suddenly the face is symmetrical, the eyes properly arched, the ears and lips the correct length. Good. Try again. Carefully I take his ruler and draw the grid, the proportions the same as they have been drawn for a thousand years. Perfect—well, almost perfect. I try again.

Caitlin

Posted by Tracy at 05:33 AM | Permalink

Today we are all enjoying a relaxing Sunday with little planned and lots of room for adventure! This morning Caitlin, Chris, Sarah, and I hiked from Naadi village down to a beautiful river. We dipped our feet in the refreshingly chilly water and watched the monkeys play across the bank.

Our speakers continue to provide us with diverse perspectives on the current state and future of Tibet as well as how we can get involved. Two days ago, Dawa Tsering, a Tibetan-Chinese negotiator from the Department of Information and International Relations, spoke to us about the history of Tibetan-Chinese negotiations since occupation as well as the role countries such as the U.S. play in Tibet's fight for freedom and autonomy. Yesterday, we spoke with four activists from the Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) organization. This gave us all great ideas on how to get involved when we return to the U.S. Their website is www.studentsforafreetibet.org and if you feel inclined, get involved, become a member, do whatever you can. The organization is currently launching campaigns to raise awareness about the Tibetan cause at the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Tonight, we are off to another JJI Exile Brothers concert at their cafe --it's sure to be a fun night!
Check out an article on the JJI Exile Brothers from Outside Magazine.

Posted by at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

something magic, in mountains. it lies partly in scarf and socks and heavy blankets, the luxury of wrapping up tightly against the chill-- that even hail isn't bad weather, really. part, in surprise-- every turn, every inclination of the head bringing a startling change in the view. part, in health, in the cleanness of streets (too steep for cows to navigate?) and air. but mostly, i think, it is a question of beauty.

my first morning with my family in dharamshala we brushed our teeth on the rooftop, looking up to the freshly snow-covered mountains. the sky was bright a long time before the sun would break the horizon, and light reflected off ice along the eastern edges of the peaks. we like to come up here in the mornings, my mother told me. it fills you up, you know? the soul.

Continue reading "clouds" »

Posted by Caitlin at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This afternoon the students shared their ISP experiences with both the group and their homestay families. We all enjoyed the presentations of Tibetan massage, thangka drawing, dramyen, Buddhist philosophy, and English conversation with Tibetans living in exile. Then we enjoyed some biscuits, samosas, and chai while the students and leaders expressed gratitude to the families. Many thanks to our wonderful Tibetan language teacher, Nima-la, for helping the students translate their thank you notes into Tibetan!

Although we still have a little less than two weeks in Dharamsala, we are preparing to head into retreat for the next 10 days. So tomorrow morning the students will say their last goodbyes to their homestay families and we will head a bit up the mountain to the Tushita Meditation Center. The students seem to be curious and excited for what the next ten days will hold. We are giving up the comforts of iPods, Internet, novels, cell phones, and other distractions, so we can fully embrace the experience!

I look forward to what this exploration inwards holds for us all...

Kempie

Posted by at 01:41 PM | Permalink

As the group settles in at Tushita to begin their Introduction to Buddhism course, the blog will likewise take up the practice of relative silence and stillness for the next 10 days or so.

Remy is putting some finishing touches on a multimedia project that the students created as they floated down the Ganges earlier in the semester (post 1 & post 2). We hope to have that ready for sharing on the blog within the coming few days.

In the meantime, NPR is currently running a 5 part story on the Ganges. Check it out.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

John

Posted by Global LAB at 02:58 PM | Permalink

For those interested in learning more about the Ganges River, check out the British Telegraph's recent story "A Journey Down the Ganges" by Peter Foster and Heathcliff O'Malley.

Posted by Remy at 06:36 PM | Permalink

In southern India there is a boulder garden that is world famous for rock climbing. People travel to this rock garden from all over the world, most of the time it is to escape the snowy winter climates. While driving to Bodh Gaya, our group passed a place that looked exactly like this rock climbing mecca. We decided to pull over and take a break from the bumpy, broken roads and stretch our legs while climbing around on the rocks and exploring. Here is a slide show...

Posted by Remy at 03:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

As the group's meditation retreat comes to an end in the next couple days, I thought it would be helpful to see what their daily schedule has been for the past week in order to structure some questions about their experience. There's no doubt that I think we're all excited to hear about the course, especially given such a solid schedule of unique exploration.

,,,,,,

Approximate Schedule
for 10-Day Residential Introduction to Buddhism Courses :

Day 1 Check in
1.00 - 3.00pm Registration (in the Dining Hall)
4.30pm Welcome and Introductory talk
6.15pm Dinner
7.30pm Introduction to Meditation

Day 2-7
6.00am Wake up
6.45 - 7.30am Mindfulness Meditation
7.30am Breakfast
9.00 - 11.00am Teaching
11.15 – 12.00pm Yoga (if teacher available)
12.00 – 2.00pm Lunch & Karma Yoga Jobs
2.00 – 3.00pm Discussion Groups
3.30 – 5.00pm Teaching
5.30 - 6.15pm Guided Meditation
6.15pm Dinner
7.30pm Evening Meditation

Day 8-9
6.00am Wake up
6.45 - 7.30am Mindfulness Meditation
7.30am Breakfast
9.00 – 9.45am Guided Meditation
10.15 - 11.00am Guided Meditation
11.15 – 12.00pm Yoga (if teacher available)
12.00 – 2.15pm Lunch & Karma Yoga Jobs
2.15 - 3.00pm Guided Meditation
4.00 - 4.45pm Guided Meditation
5.30 - 6.15pm Guided Meditation
6.15pm Dinner
7.30pm Evening Meditation

Day10
6.00am Wake up
6.45 – 7.30am Mindfulness Meditation
7.30am Breakfast
9.00am Final Talk and Feedback
12.00pm Picnic Lunch
1.00 – 3.00pm Check out

Posted by Remy at 04:52 PM | Permalink

This afternoon we headed back down the hill to Dharamsala, but with a new insight on our experience. Yes, we have successfully completed a 10-day meditation retreat at Tushita! Most of our time was spent in silence. Our daily meditations covered topics such as mindfulness, karmic imprints, impermanence, loving kindness, and compassion. Every day, with the exception of our full day of meditation, we listened and questioned Venerable Namgyal, Ani Rita, and Dr. Barry about Buddhist philosophy and religion. We began our discussion talking about the craving for chocolate cake, so it seemed only appropriate that we finished off our last meal at Tushita with some chocolate cake! The content of the course focused on the Lam Rim, the path to becoming enlightened. We learned about the nature of the mind, wisdom, compassion, karma, bodhicitta, delusions, self cherishing, samsaric existence, and impermanence. We were so fortunate to have such patient and wise teachers who covered these topics with great sensitivity and humor. It was definitely a challenging experience; however, I believe each one of us benefited from this exploration of the mind!

Tomorrow morning, we will journey back to Delhi and then on to the Taj!

May all sentient beings be happy and free!

Posted by at 11:25 AM | Permalink

At the beginning of the semester, the group spent four days traveling down the Ganges River by boat. Breaking up into pairs, the students recorded their experience on the river by collecting audio recordings, playing music, writing, and taking pictures. Each pair presented their material to the rest of the group, as they all decided on how the recordings would be put together to form a group digital story about the trip down 'Ma Ganga.' Below is the digital story that the students created with all of their own, original materials: sound, photos, and writing. Enjoy!

Posted by Global LAB at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We arrived safely in Delhi two days ago, spent one night in Delhi and took the morning train to Agra yesterday. It was a quality Indian train experience where we had to squeeze ourselves through the masses to our seats, but it was a pretty comfortable ride. After a few hours, we were welcomed into the heat and humidity of Agra. It's a bit of a change from the weather in Dharamsala, but it feels great to sweat (then again, I am from North Carolina)! Yesterday, we spent our day visiting Fatehpur Sikri, a beautiful city and fort built by Mughal Emperor Akbar, which was abandoned after only 14 years due to water shortages. We finished the evening off by riding bikes through Keoladeo National Park. Along the path, we saw some beautiful birds and even some jackals and gazelles. In a few short hours, we'll head to the Taj Mahal for sunset.

Posted by at 07:49 AM | Permalink

This morning we took the train back to Delhi and reunited with JB and our friend, Amit! We are thrilled to have JB back with the group with the new addition of his adventures in Bhutan. Although it is still hot in Delhi, it feels a couple of degrees cooler than Agra. During our last day in Agra we explored the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. We even had a memorable dinner at Pizza Hut. We will spend a few days here in Delhi preparing for our time in Ladakh. We will also visit a Sikh farm and experience a Sufi zikir. While we are enjoying our time in Delhi, everyone is highly anticipating the move to a cooler climate as well as back to the mountains.

Posted by at 05:28 PM | Permalink

Namastay. Not quite sure what to write about. Seems like any ideas I may have like to run away and hide. Leaving me to sit here, fingers poised over the keys waiting expectantly for something to come. I suppose I could write about how shitty this keyboard is. Because the effort with which I must jam down each key to make the typing cursor move across the screen is more or less occupying all of my mind at present. And I'm rather tempted to start pulling out the keys to see if I can at all fix it......but I'm not too sure how much the owner people here would appreciate my curiosity. So me thinks breivity is best. Agra was a.....a good test of one's endurance in extreemly hot temperatures, lets just say. Brought one's level of appreciation of laying underneath a fan after a pop under some (relatively) cold water to a whole new level. And the relief one felt when the power finally came back on and that wonderful fan started to spin so beautifully and you felt relief from the oven that your room had started to become since the power desided it would go off.
In a few hours we'll be on a plane to Ladakh, and by a few hours I mean about 12. Well I must say I am quite done with trying to type on this keyboard.

Posted by Sarah at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A whip for you sir
Four Tums to make it classy
Goodnight head of state

Posted by at 06:25 PM | Permalink

I woke up last night facing the ceiling, my arms crossed over my chest. The bed I was on had a white covering, and because of the heat of the area, the hotel had not provided any additional sheets. Before I had gone to sleep that night, Peter-la, our local co-ordination had told me to sleep with my towel over my stomach to wipe off the sweat. That’s how I found myself, when I rolled over that night; covered in my towel, sweating, feeling a little sick.

I enjoy waking up hot and tense. I compare it mentally to jumping in the cold pool before climbing in the hot. You can feel your whole body tense and relax with every breath and when you stretch you can feel bones moving and muscles sighing, or laughing, or screaming. The shock of sudden consciousness in the heat forces me from one place to another and movement on that subtle level feels so good to me. I took the towel off my chest and sat up, trying to see but not seeing much.

Why write about this? Out of context it might sound alright (maybe) but in context it makes no sense. I should write about the train ride and how crowded it was. I could have written a paragraph about the toothless old lady who sat pretty much on my lap the whole time, talking to me in Hindi, or how it felt to elbow strangers to get to my pre-reserved seat only to find out that there was a small girl sitting their and that we were going to ask her to move. I should be reflecting on the meditation retreat which was wonderful and which left me feeling clean and exited. I’m sure I could write all about how it was to be in silence, how it felt to find time to think again or even if I was feeling especially bold and open how I cried after one of the final mediations because it made so much sense to me. I didn’t even mention where I woke up that night and if I was thinking I would just wait until I could write about the Taj Mahal which is our destination tonight.

Honestly, I think that all of that is best expressed right now by the description of a late night stretch followed by a couple of quick breaths. I’m covered in sweat, I am lost in this town, the mosquitoes own my body and the generator is roaring outside. I think I need to spend time writing a short reflection on the state of my being, because otherwise it would be impossible to fit in the details to make whom ever reads this feel this sticky and tired. And if you can’t understand the cold pool, the hot pool might just be relaxing. I think its because I know that we need to feel tired to sleep and that because we need to feel tense to relax that this night, waking up feeling just a little sick and pretty dirty gets me exited about the potential of the day. It teaches me why stretching can be so significant.

Posted by at 06:31 PM | Permalink

In just a few hours, we will be flying to Leh. We have had a few filled days here in Delhi. Today we went to the National Museum and National Art Gallery. We explored relics of the ancient Harappan civilization, different styles of miniature painting, traditional tribal wear and music instruments as well as modern Indian art. Tonight, we went to a Sufi temple and learned a bit about Islamic mysticism and union with God. We heard some beautiful music at the temple and got to experience the bustling Islamic hub of Delhi. We will be in Leh for the next couple of days acclimatizing. We'll be taking it easy and exploring the city of Leh until we are ready to head out to village life. We are all looking forward to meeting Namgial, our Ladakh coordinator!

Posted by at 06:52 PM | Permalink

Posted by Remy at 06:59 PM | Permalink

Tracy sent us a text message a little while ago to let everyone know that the group has arrived up in Leh and health is good. People usually need a day or two to start feeling comfortable at Leh's altitude of 11,000 ft, so the next couple of days will be low key with plenty of time for relaxing and taking in the expansive high desert mountain skies over Leh and the Indus river valley.

John

,

For those who may not be familiar with Ladakhi geography and place names (click image to enlarge).

Posted by Global LAB at 06:56 PM | Permalink

Yesterday we had a breathtaking one hour flight over the mountains and arrived in Leh only to be more blown away by the awesome mountain landscape. We spend most of the morning taking naps and reorienting ourselves. In the afternoon, we visited the Ladakh Women's Alliance where we were learned about eco-responsible tourism and watched "Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh." We also snacked on some organic home-dried apricots. They were delicious!

This morning, most of us took a walk around Leh and up to Shanti Stupa. There, our local coordinator, Namgial, talked to us about the political and religious history of Ladakh. We also learned a bit about the geography of the great mountain ranges surrounding us as well as about the flora and fauna. The apricot blossoms are in bloom and they are stunning!

Tomorrow morning, we are heading to Domkhar village, Namgial's hometown, for the next week. We will live with homestay families that have never hosted foreign students before, which will be quite an amazing experience! We will also partake in a service project and engage in English conversation lessons with local students.

Everyone is adjusting well to the altitude. So I am feeling blessed to have such beautiful weather, majestic scenery, good health, and great company. More to come after we get back from Domkhar...

Posted by at 12:23 PM | Permalink

Jullay,

Hello everybody, well, we arrived in Ladakh yesterday and stayed low to avoid adverse signs of altitude sickness.

4/20/07
We woke up at 3:00 am to be confronted by the darkness of Karol Bagh. It was a lot less quiet from the night before when there was a local wedding at the neighborhood temple near Gulnar. All of us descended into the barren and vastness of the India News truck, the mode of transportation to the airport. Our plane first flew over the dust strewn streets and plains of India. Finally after dozing off for a little bit, I woke up to the brightening day, though it was already about 6:30, it was just getting brighter and brighter. To my left was the awe-inspiring landscape of the Ladakh area ranges, probably including Zanskar, Ladakh, Stok, Nubra, and so on. Most of the peaks were snow covered and the misty clouds hovered over them, but these craggy mountains were truly apparent. THe range seemed to be contracted around a circular area. ALl of these dramatic and snow covered peaks all crascendoed down to red-brown sediment mountain bottoms. These bottoms appeared to be very ashy and their were visable fisure signs of plate movemnet or past water levels. THese earthy rifts defined the contorus of these mountain sand dunes. The closer we moved in the closer we got to these Mars like red outcroppings. One could see the populars and willows as as the plotted acricultural landscape, hedged by rows stone or irrigation water ways. As we came down further we passed an extremly beautiful valley that was touched by rays peeping through the morning cloud formations, luckily I was able to take a very poetic picture of the site.

Continue reading "Ladakh, the land of incredible landscapes" »

Posted by JB at 12:24 PM | Permalink

tushita is one of the six deva worlds of buddhist cosmology, the pure land where the next buddha will come from to give teachings. in sanskrit the word speaks to mindfullness. the meditation center stands two kilometers up the mountain from dharamsala; on wednesday we walked up together, after one final lunch with neema-la. the first afternoon and evening were friendly and awkward and anticipatory, as it will be when twenty strangers prepare to be silent together for ten days. One of my roommates and her travelling companion had just graduated from RISD, studying furniture making and sustainable design-- we talked about wwoofing over tin mugs of hot water.

my room was simple and clean, three of us sharing the small space, plain white walls and thick blankets on the beds. the bells rang at six the next day, just after first light. i left quietly; the air outside was cool and sharp, startling in its clarity after the closeness of the room. one of the dogs came with me, big and black and shaggy, and we walked together to the stupa a little way down from tushita. he was happy enough to sit without talking so long as i scratched his ears. i walked back up in time for the first meditation.

Continue reading "tushita (too late)" »

Posted by Caitlin at 01:23 PM | Permalink

back to delhi. heat and the madness of crowds once again, samosas fresh and oily on every corner, the wide streets and myriad cars of a capitol city. but for now it was only a waystop (we ate our final momos and thukpa in the tibetan refugee quarter that evening), and early the next day we left for the ancient seat of the moghul empire.

agra is a haunted city. we got off the train in the morning, out of the sticky press of bodies and onto the platform, where radiating heat from the sun and the cement made tangible clouds around those caught between. poverty and filth, hungry touts made mean by circumstance, a brittle layer of swimming-pool hotels and air conditioned restaurants--it is difficult not to call agra horrible, looking at what is on the surface, there. but what is not there is magic.

Continue reading "the memory of a city" »

Posted by Caitlin at 01:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you would like to mail something (no valuables) to a student or program director, below is the best address to use. Mail tends to be very slow and anything sent after May 1st may not make it in time.

NAME
c/o Rinchen Namgial
Yama Adventures
Hotel Padma Ling Complex
Changspa Road
Leh, Ladakh 194101
INDIA

Posted by Global LAB at 08:26 PM | Permalink

(Run your mouse over the pictures and click on them to make them larger.)

Posted by Remy at 08:55 PM | Permalink

While we eagerly await our group's return from their village stay and their descriptions and photos of life in Ladakh's countryside, another realm of US-Indian cross-cultural interaction is sweeping the headlines in South Asia. It seems Richard Gere has become a wanted man.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 12:21 PM | Permalink

We just got back from our week-long stay in Namgial’s village, Domkhar. I think we all felt privileged to spend time with the residents of Domkhar. The town consisted of about 400 people living along the Indus river with the barren steep mountains in every direction. It really was quite peaceful.

We arrived in the late afternoon last Sunday and we were quickly welcomed into Namgial’s house. Shortly thereafter, all of the homestay families came to pick the students up and take them to their new home for the week. This being the first homestay students that the families have ever had, Namgial was asked frequently about the students’ needs; the most common of which was “what do I feed her?” All worries were quickly dispelled when the students enjoyed their first bowl of kolak, a dough made of butter tea and barley flour commonly eaten for breakfast.

Continue reading "Back from Domkhar..." »

Posted by at 12:06 PM | Permalink

After an awesome split meal with Chris of veg. momo and (rather dry) veg chowmein I'm ready to connect with the rest of the world that is outside India. My time in Domkhar (no idea how you spell that) was amazingly awesome. The beauty and the altitude of the place left me breathless. You walked along winding roads surrounded by step-farms and trees and rustic houses made of mud brick or stone that worked so wonderfully with the environment and beyond that were mountains. Oh the mountains. And as you walk everyone you pass, young and old give you a brilliant smile as you exchange greetings of Juley (wow my spelling is really failing me today). My homestay was wonderful. My sister Tashi who was in class 8 looked after me and took care of me like a mother, so say I was surprised at this is an understatement. They fed me massive amounts of food. I'd sit there with my curd, chapati, colak, and bean dish for breakfast while the rest of the family ate only chapati or colak. My brother spoke surprisingly good English, better than his older sister, and I'd usually spend my time back at the house playing with him and his cousin. My father was shy around me but had this brilliant smile and a simple 'juley' was really all the communication we needed to connect. My mother was either out working or in front of the stove cooking with Tashi or my Grandmother. My Grandfather made Domos, the long, butter-churner like object they used to make the butter tea. Outside of each entrance to the house there was a dog, the black and white one stopped barking at me after the first day or two; would only peek open an eye at me. The other one went nuts every time I went by and would continue barking long after I'd passed it by.

In a couple of days we'll be leaving for our 9-day trek. Quite looking forward to this and supper happy we won't have to be carrying our big backpacks. The three days we just spent at the lake were a blast and, surprise surprise! SO BEAUTIFUL! Our tourist-mobile did get stuck in the sand coming to and going from the lake. Though by the second time we were pros at getting it unstuck. We had a great cook with us who taught me to make skew and dazzled us all with this cooking ability.

We leave in a few hours to go to SECMOL, where we'll spend a couple of days washing clothes and taking hot showers before leaving for the trek.

It's hard to believe the trip is coming to an end. Coming home's going to be crazy weird.

Posted by Sarah at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We just got back from our student led trip to Tso Moriri and Hemis. Although it was a bit of a journey out to Tso Moriri –including a quick stall in some thick sand- it was well worth it. The scenery was quite stunning! We spent our time relaxing, enjoying walks around the lake, playing soccer with some local kids, and indulging in our cook, Stanzin,’s amazing dishes! We also enjoyed a night of ghost stories –Ladakhi and American- and hot chocolate. Our on way back, we stopped by a nomadic tent and shared some tea and stories with the family that lived there.

We spent our last day and a half in Hemis, a beautiful village about an hour outside of Leh. Hemis hosts one of the most famous Drukpa (a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism) monasteries. Early this morning, we hiked up to Gotsang retreat center. Many Buddhist monks come to this place of refuge for several years in order to focus solely on their practice.

,

This evening we are headed to SECMOL, the Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh , for the next three days before we begin our 9 day trek in Marka Valley. We will return from trek on May 13th. We are looking forward to the challenge that the days ahead of us hold.

Finally, we all are looking forward to celebrating Sarah’s 20th birthday tomorrow!

Posted by at 12:24 PM | Permalink

ladakh is a dramatic contour map viewed from above, knife-blade ridges and
rippling valleys of cascading diagonal striation that make the millennial
texturing of the earth an immediate, tangible thing. we reached leh early in
the morning, descending from the airplane to the runway and out into the
cold, thin air. a rocky desert landscape rose and plunged in muted colors to
either side, gray, snow-capped mountains cutting the horizon to the front.
the sky was impossibly blue, a color of crayon boxes or paint but not of
nature, arching above into a bowl of definite form and dimension. the sun is
nearer here. it reflected off of the snow on the mountains, turning the
peaks into light mirrors of white.

, ,
two jeeps took us to our guest house-- built in the traditional ladakhi
style, square, flat-roofed, with walls of stone and white plaster and
intricately carved window frames of wood. a string of prayer flags wound
around the edge of the roof, and bales of hay. there were soft warm beds
with thick blankets, and low painted tables in the common room. even at
11,000 feet, we were all well, though weak-- for the next two days we
wandered slowly through the capitol city (the roads silent and empty, many
shops vacant with the passes still closed by snow), sleeping and eating
tremendously under the gentle care of rigzin and kunzes.

Continue reading "Ladakh" »

Posted by Caitlin at 12:45 PM | Permalink

I am happy to let you all know that the Global LAB and Domkhar High School project was overwhelmingly welcomed by the residents of Domkhar Dho, Barma, and Gongma. This week long project with the high school was a wonderful opportunity to hear thoughts and opinions from both sides of students: Domkhar High School students and the Global LAB students.

Global LAB's contribution in the river cleaning project with the three schools from each part of the village was well-received and future projects are quite encouraged. In addition to the school students, the villagers from each section also participated in the river clean up. This was a special time for all the students, Ladakhi, U.S. American and the villagers to share experiences.

For the occasion, the three villages and schools organized a big gathering and a picnic lunch at Domkhar Barma. Six hundred people welcomed the Global LAB students and offered kataks - white scarves - for the group.

The final day of our time in Domkhar, we celebrated with a Ladakhi cultural show organized exclusively by the students of Domkhar High School. Many villagers also attended the celebration. The Global LAB students also offered two songs from U.S. American culture which were well-received by the audience of Ladakhis.

The Domkhar School project was outstanding and I feel happy to be working with and representing Global LAB to facilitate these activities. I see great mutual benefit for everyone involved: the Global LAB students, the students and villagers of Domkhar, and the land of Ladakh.

Jullay,

Rinchen Namgial
Local Coordinator in Ladakh

Posted by Tracy at 08:20 AM | Permalink

Posted here is another digital story from the group's adventures. This digital story is about the Festival of Colors, Holi. The group had the excellent fortune of living around Assi Ghat in Varanasi during the festival. Being the capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the most intense place to experience Holi. This digital story presents the profoundly vibrant colors of festival, and the words of Caitlin and Kempie structure the intimate narrative. Enjoy!

Posted by Global LAB at 08:24 PM | Permalink

This will be a quiet week on the blog as the group continues heading deeper into Hemis National Park on their trek. We don't expect any posts from the group will go up before they finish the trek on Sunday, May 13--just in time to send their Happy Mothers Day greetings. Namgial has provided the below details about the Markha Valley trek:

In comparison to Nepal, Ladakh has relatively few trekkers, and although you are still in the Greater Himalaya the scenery is so different you would hardly know that you were in the same range. It is often called 'Little Tibet' and lying north of the main chain it receives little rainfall.

The scenery of Ladakh is stark and dramatic - deep gorges, alluvial fans, contorted strata, large Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, flat-topped mud-bricked houses in oasis-like villages, snow-capped mountains and grand distances.

The Markha valley epitomizes the best of this scenery. It has giant rock pinnacles, beetling cliffs, narrow defiles, prayer-flagged passes and evidence of a much older civilization, the history of which has been lost in antiquity. As you trek up the valley, there are the ruins of many forts and castles, some built in some pretty unlikely places!

This is a fairly long trek, crossing a pass of over 17,000ft, and has the fine objective of visiting the base camp of the highest peak in the Zanskar range, Kang Yatse, 21,000ft.

DAY 1: TREK TO ZINGCHEN. (10,800ft) 4hrs. After breakfast at SECMOL, meet the guide Stanzin and head across the Indus river to meet support team and pack animals. The trek begins here and follows the Indus River for a short distance, before striking out for the mountains. You soon enter the narrow gorge that leads to the first camp at Zingchen.

Continue reading "Trekking in Markha Valley" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:49 PM | Permalink

I received a call from Tracy and Stanzin the Guide this afternoon here in Leh. Tracy's report is that the group is doing very well and every one is looking forward to the last two Days trek in the Himalaya. More news will come from the group later this week end when they return to Leh.

Julay
Namgial

Posted by Global LAB at 07:43 PM | Permalink

Yesterday we finished our 9 day trek in the Markha Valley. We celebrated by eating chocolate cake, gulab jamin, samosas and peanut cookies – quite a nutritious meal! The trek was a wonderful experience – challenging at times, but definitely rewarding when we all made it through a snow storm and up the 17,300 ft. pass. The scenery – deep gorges, barren mountains, snow and ice covered paths, and fresh clear rivers and streams – was quite diverse and beautiful. Tracy’s knowledge of soil science and geology helped us better understand the impressive environment around us. Along the way, we experienced a few blisters, sore muscles, popped Therm-A-Rests and one near fridge dip, but we also enjoyed many great meals, valuable time to reflect, cozy nights in the tents, epic card games, and some silliness.

Continue reading "back from trek" »

Posted by at 11:28 AM | Permalink

By the third day of trek I began to start worrying that I had thought all my thoughts before. Already I had planned my college future, firmly decided to finish different loose projects from home, planned new ventures for this summer and even tried to figure out exactly what I would say to my family if I fell down a mountain and lay bleeding to death on some lucky group members lap. I would say, “My family, oh my family; you did love me, didn’t you. And yet here, right now in Marka Valley, I lie disheartened for I know now as the shadows grow long and scary with the setting sun, that I will see neither your smiling faces nor your majestic kitchen again. And how you will weep, but please, save your water and your salt, you need it more than I. Did you know that I finally was going to be an academic star next year, just like you always told me I could be if I finally tried? And that I was going to start a club to get Kalamazoo Colleges FCC license back and triumphantly lead the first live broadcast from a stage in the middle of the quad with the whole campus cheering me on? I was going somewhere huge, dear flesh and blood, but oh well. It might give you slightly higher spirits to realize that I had already lived it all in gloriously easy fantasy and I knew all the details. Please sell my dog to a better home. Oh yeah, that’s right, you never got me one.” But no such drama occurred as I stumbled into camp that night, my head buzzing from its nervous small circles. That night in my tent, I did realize that I was sunburned.

Continue reading "thoughts from the trail" »

Posted by at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So we were greeted by some overwhelming humidity this morning as we walked out of the airport. We arrived safely back to Delhi! We had a wonderful closing night in Leh involving skiu (skew), a Ladakhi barley noodle dish, and a great group activity in which we had an opportunity to share our appreciation for each other. In just a few hours, we will share our last feast with Tracy and take her to the airport. She will head back to the States tonight. The rest of the group will leave on the morning of the 18th. We will spend our last day in Delhi packing, shopping, and avoiding the heat. We're all looking forward to seeing our friends and family on the other side of the world. Michelle and John will be there to greet us at JFK. I hope to meet some parents as well. Until then...

Posted by at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Namaste Everyone,

I am back in NJ and about to head up to Vermont. I hope you are well and looking forward to sharing happy and peaceful times with your family and friends. I am thinking about you all and your adjustment back to the states, and the constant adjustments we make in every new/old place we go… the expectations we carry, the memories and fondness we feel for a place or a group of people that no longer exist in “real time”…

I’d like to pass on these internet resources to you just to read or digest in your own time if you feel the need. I’ve used the first two before with student groups and found them a while back just by searching “reverse culture shock” or “reentry shock” on any search engine. The third link I just found today, and the last link is from SIT. Enjoy them… I hope that you’re all happy and healthy these days. I miss you all very much.

Much Love to you,

Tracy

http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/overseas/faq/culture_shock/culture_shock.html

http://international.missouri.edu/studyabroad/after/cominghome.shtml

This is an interesting website I came across while searching… (Seems Jennifer has an interesting perspective on her travels in India. Makes me think about what you all would put on a list like this…)
http://members.tripod.com/~jennifer_polan/india/backtousa.html

Check out this resource, from the School for International Training, written to parents of students who study abroad. Sometimes reading material written for another audience gives you a different perspective on your own experience:
http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/parents/docs/parent_reentry_handbook.pdf

Posted by Global LAB at 07:14 PM | Permalink

The group arriving back at JFK (except for Caitlin, who will follow from Mumbai, and Tracy, who arrived a day earlier)

Posted by Global LAB at 01:23 AM | Permalink

Dear Caitlin, Chris, J.B., Matt, Noah, and Sarah,

I'm hoping this note finds you well and beginning the process of recovery from jet lag. Maybe the disco tired you out enough to have slept the entire flight back to the states? In any case, I'm wishing warm reunions with families and friends in the coming hours and days, as well as a few long days of rest and relaxation.

I've made it safely to Vermont and have completed my first day of capstone seminar... I'm scheduled to present my thesis on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm here on campus.

During the drive this morning from NJ to VT (yes, I was wide awake at 3:30 am this morning!), singing along to James Taylor and America while remembering how to drive the volvo wagon, I thought back on this semester... how quickly it went by, yet how much we accomplished and experienced individually and together as a group. I'm encouraged and excited to think that you are all about to share impressions of our journeys together with your loved ones and start the process of reentry back here to the states. In some ways, the biggest challenges are yet to come.

This semester, I've witnessed six bright, creative, and compassionate young people create a journey for themselves that will potentially shape how they each view their world around them. Your connections with each other and the folks with whom we shared time this semester are a piece of your lives now that you will be able to process, shift, change, and mold to your needs and expectations. As you reconnect with the U.S., remember way back when we spoke about the nature of pilgrimage and the journeys that we all take in our lives. The learning doesn't stop here. I hope you'll take our struggles and challenges along with the laughter and excitement with you as you start your next journey this summer or in school in the fall.

I sincerely thank you for showing up with your whole hearts these past three months. Your candor and authentic communication shaped our time together be it climbing up a 17,000 ft. pass, navigating Ganga-ji, or sharing meals together. Know that, at any step of the way, if you are in need of an ear, a helping hand, or a back-up singer, all you have to do is call.

Congratulations, alumni of Global LAB. It's with love, appreciation, thanks, and a happy heart that I celebrate sending you off on your next journey.

Take care of yourselves, and be well.

Tracy

Posted by Global LAB at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

it's cold, high. the wind takes on a different character, drier than
winter wind in new england and not so sharp-- but enveloping,
all-encompassing. we drove from leh to tso morriri in a bus with
TOURIST scrawled across the front, watching the himank highway signs
along the way: SPEED IS A KNIFE THAT CUTS LIFE; BETTER MR LATE THAN
LATE MR; I WANT YOU DARLING, BUT NOT SO FAST. ten minutes from the
lake the road disappeared under the blowing sand, coarse and pale,
rippled like sand in the desert. we pressed on, and got stuck; the
twelve of us (students, leaders, driver, cook, sandrup, namgial) got
out to push. the cold was furious against fingers and cheeks and ears
as we carried stones to pave the waste ahead, pushing on the back of
my calves and neck as we leaned our weight into the cab. a goncha-clad
man that we had passed an hour ago rode by us with his string of
ponies. we cheered as the bus groaned and roared and shot forward, out
from the grooves of spinning tires.

the lake was solid still with ice; a ring ten feet wide from the shore
melted every day and froze again into paper-thin glass at night. we
set up camp slowly, once tents were erected putting on everything we
owned-- from there, spending the rest of the darkening evening in the
luxury of the dining tent.

Continue reading "finishings" »

Posted by Caitlin at 10:37 AM | Permalink

Jullay Everyone!

I hope your summers are going well...
As I've been planning for the fall semester, finalizing our time in November at Tushita with Sabine, I clicked through their new website and found this image. Check it out!

Good luck in the next weeks with gearing up/starting up school and new job and travel opportunities. You're all in my thoughts these days as we get ready to welcome a new semester's crew.

Be Well,
Tracy

Posted by Tracy at 04:38 PM | Permalink