Updates and Whatnot
Yesterday I didnt have any classes or speakers because it was sunday. It was really nice because I wasnt feeling so well on saturday and I kinda just needed a day to chill out. In the morning I went to temple with my homestay mom and brother. My homestay dad works as temple security so we met up with him there. It was the first time that I went to the temple with my family and it was really nice. We walked around and turned the prayer wheels (they are believed to have buddhist scriptures and mantras on the inside so by turning them you are sending out the mantras to the universe and getting good karma etc). We then went into the main prayer room to pray. It is beautiful, 3 gold statues and colorful paintings all over the walls. It was suprisingly very nice to pray for the people I love. It was the first time in a very long time that I did. Usually at home I just pray when in a fit of desperation or depression which doesnt really count. I am not sure if I actually believe in the power of prayers but I think it is necessary to think good wishes for the people who have made my life so good and who now may be suffering. I liked going to the temple so much that this morning I ended up waking up at 6 am to go with my homestay sister. It was absolutely beautiful because it was right at sunrise. I have definetly learned to appreciate spirituality more since I have come to Dharmsala...and as soon as my mom reads that she will be very happy ahaha. I will definetly wake up early to go to the temple with my sister over the next week because it is my last week here and I want to make the most of the experience while I still can. The rest of sunday was really good too. I hung around the house knitting (my homestay mom taught me I am making the ugliest headband but its really fun/good use of time), reading, and watching awful indian tv. Then in the late afternoon I met up with 2 of the kids in my group and walked around and had some coffee (we finally found a place that serves AMERICAN STYLE COFFEE...simple pleasures!) I did my laundry yesterday which was really really needed...but of course I put bright red pants that I bought here for yoga in the machine with all of my other clothes and all of my white/light blue shirts (which is ALL i brought) are now dyed various shades of vomit pink hah which is just wonderful. I dont really care though..I think it is funny. We leave Dharmsala in exactly a week so I am pretty bummed. I really like it here..I definetly connect alot with the Tibetan culture and I have had so many good experiences here so far.