Last day at metal shop
It's our last night with our families before we embark on our trek. We've got donkies to meet and monasteries to explore, and it's time we have some nights under the stars to freak ourselves out with ghost stories and reflect on all that we've done and seen so far.
Today was a good one at the metal shop, everyone got their projects finished; Tauska left with her belt piece adorned with stones, Tiffany with a bold, patterned, copper bracelet; Romy with her PERFECTLY fine elephant in a circle; Anna with her giant, shield-like ode to her beloved dogs in copper; and me with my silver faces, each depicting one of the five mental poisons (Ignorance, Anger, Attachment, Envy, Mental Darkness).
Our experience at the shop was so wonderful, Tashisamten and his beautiful family welcomed us, made fun of us, pounded out final cuts in the metal for us, and let us explore every action and item in their Thangka-filled metal store. He comes from a line of metal workers, his father being a great master. Near the end of the day, all the people at the store/shop + extended family and us ladies crowded together for some group shots on their request. Then we all crowded around the cameras and checked out our poses; looking good, looking good. We've got that rare-shower, constipated, blow-torch look down pact baby.
While there, I was sitting alone upstairs in the apartment where we work when a stranger came into the room and blatantly stared at my work as I pounded away, as is often the case. He was an old man in traditional clothing, thumbing over prayer beads in his hands. He said something to me in Tibetan, and we had a small encounter. I thought he was trying to suggest something to me. I was afraid that he was going to take my hammer from me and work on my piece, something some of the men like to do. And it can be a long time until you get that hammer back and your piece might be different from the one you handed over. Anyways, I was relieved that he didn't try to take it, but instead stood up and walked across the room to the window when Galen came in to see how I was doing. As the old man walked out the door Galen said, "So that's the master, that's the grandfather who's picture is framed downstairs." I had no idea! His was the work I've been copying and admiring the entire time here. And I was sitting by him for 15 minutes as I worked...just goes to show how little we can be aware of and how wrong perceptions can be. It also brings up the issue of our language barrier with so many interesting people here. It kills me! There are so many things I want to ask and to talk about, but with most people we can't get too far past the hand-gesturing. I guess the next step is to get studying that Tibetan...
Tashi Delay,
Berkley
Comments
Yikes! That sounds like a dream come true. A dream where you run in slow motion, or can't speak when it's your turn to express how you feel. The real point I'm trying to make here is that it wasn't a dream, and although the language barrier can be tough, the simple presence of a master will affect you no matter what. Had you known and masterd Tibeten, the mystery and detachment would be far less, and in my mind those are often the best parts. Then again I'm not there and you are so soak it all in, regardless if you know what it means.
p.s. I don't know you Berkley, but you have some nice blogs and I felt compelled to comment, say hi to Addie for me. Elia.
Posted by: Elia | July 23, 2007 02:51 PM