Back in the m.stein

It's pitch black outside and my body thinks it is time to rise and shine. Despite pep talks, my body refuses to recognize that we are no longer on Indian time. However, it does readily accept bowls of ice cream with hot fudge topping (evidence is noticeable on my shirt) and slices of strawberry shortcake immersed in the decadence of cool whip (Brian's birthday cake...mmm mmm). So you could say that I made it home safe and sound and in culinary terms am adjusting well. My luggage however... is MIA (missing in action). Once my luggage finds its way home, I am hoping to post entries from my journal since I was unable to keep you posted while in Asia due to the poor access to functioning Internet.

And then before long (a month to be exact), I will be out the door again. Mozambique beckons.

Tashi Delek (a Tibetan hello)

Well, well, well... so I finally got my act in gear. A posting from the depths of the Himalayans. Internet here is intermittent at best ~ that's my excuse. (Never mind the naps and the bubble-blowing fun with the Tibetan young 'ins).

I have been in foreign lands for a good week and a half now but it feels longer. Much longer. I have seen many beautiful things, tasted many strange things (dragon fruit, anyone?), and have felt a range of emotions from the exultant high of seeing the Taj Mahal in all its glory to the heartache of witnessing the plight of Tibetans. And the latter, latter for which I am at present feeling admittedly a bit emotionally exhausted.

Presently, the crew (approximately 15 students) is staying at the Sarah Institute a Buddhist monastery in the hills of the Himalayas near Dharamsala, seat of the Tibetan government in exile. Our schedule for 2 weeks goes something to the effect of....

6:30am - Rise and shine!

7:30-8:30 - Meditation

8:30-9:00 - Breakfast

9:00-10:00 - Buddhist Philosophy class

10:30-11:30 - Tibetan guest speakers

12:30 - 1:00 - Lunch

Afternoon activities vary - shopping trips, bookstore/library browsings, visiting the Children's Village (home of Tibetan refugee children), hikes, napping...

6:00-7:00 - Yoga (imagine a Buddhist monk in a red jumpsuit... ;)

7:00-7:30 - Supper

Evenings activities vary... Tibetan documentary viewings, open mike on the rooftop, downing a handful of Benadryl and calling it a night (last night's choice...jet lag).

Well, I have much much more to say but I shall wait for a day when Internet connection returns (along with my patience).

Kale shuko!!

(a Tibetan 'goodbye')

foreboding jet-lag

Today's big purchase ~ my ticket to Africa.  Total time, if my calculations are correct... 34 hours in transit.  The things I do to save money.  I guess sanity is expendable ;)

Depart:  July 7, 2008 @12:27pm

(Dayton-Atlanta-D.C.-Doha (Qatar)-Johannesburg)

Final Arrival:  July 9, 2008 @ 5:25 am

Good thing I can eat, sleep, and read anywhere.  I hope?

In recent weeks, I have been wishing that my passport could be cloned.  I fear I am going to find myself in Kazakhstan before the international embassies sort out the who, what, when, where of me.

First off in May & June, I will be completing a research project with the Tibetan Ministry of Health meaning I'll be high-fiving the Dalai Lama, striking a few yoga poses, and dodging some local scuffle.  Mission best accomplished if my face doesn't wind up gracing the cover of the NY Times.

Then to bring an answer to my father's looming question regarding job prospects, yes indeed I will put my college education to use.  Not in Ohio, the U.S., or even in a country where English is a native language.  Nope.  Maputo, Mozambique - or "Moz" as the locals say (as told to me by a non-local).  I will be collaborating with the country's lone speech therapist (in a country that's twice the size of California, nearing 20 million populates).  The native language is Portuguese with some tribal languages thrown in just for fun.  Due to its port location, Arabic, African, Portuguese, Asian cultural influences abound... and elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras are just a backyard away.

In a month I'll be graduating, in 2 months returning from Tibet, and in 3 months stepping foot on African soil.  Much to do.

My schedule as I know it....

May 10:  Commencement

May 11-June 7:  Thailand, India, Tibet trip

(Home in the m.stein for a month)

July 7: Mozambique... (First stop ~ Kruger National Park in South Africa)

Cheers!