My life has gotten a lot busier lately (I'm teaching more, acting as a Spanish-English interpreter for a private Buddhist philosophy class, and have finally gotten into a studying groove), so I haven't had much time to post. Apologies for that. But I have several more posts worth of pictures all ready, so do expect more updates to come. The pace will just be slower than it was in the beginning.
A few weeks ago, on one of our weekend Wednesdays, several monks who aren't taking part in summer retreat (for various reasons, mostly responsibilities which take them outside the monastery) and I went on a mini adventure. We rented a cab for the afternoon, which between the 9 of us cost less than a one-way share-taxi trip to Gangtok, and hit the road.
(some of the gang, bouncily enthusiastic)
(Sherab, mustering some photo enthusiasm)
(Yunten failing to muster any, and the side of my face showing what enthusiasm really looks like)
The drive was beautiful, because Sikkim is gorgeous.
(prayer flags, and a monastery in the distance)
(a town on a hillside)
(terraced rice fields!)
For our first stop we went to a large Kagyu monastery and Institute, larger than Rumtek (though of less central importance to the sect).
(our faithful taxi, which fit us 9 plus our driver impressively)
(the approach to the monastery)
(the first of many group pictures. it was kind of the theme of the day)
(and the second! note the hand signs, which I believe Yunten instigated)
(walking into the monastery)
(the prayer hall, as seen from the courtyard)
Our main activities that day were silliness and picture taking, and the combination of the two.
(silliness at a mural)
(walking into the prayer hall)
(prayer wheel turning)
Before we left the monastery grounds, we stopped for cold drinks and momos at a cafe. Snacking was the other central activity of the day.
(the group recovering from the heat)
(I love this selection of pictures on the wall)
Then it was on to a local theme park, for some more silliness and picture taking.
(the park)
(group photo with fountain)
Sikkim is a state of many waters, and the theme park was full of fountains. Which were used liberally for sneak, monk-on-monk and monk-on-Colin water attacks. And a little sweet Colin-on-monk water revenge. Unfortunately none of this made it onto film, but just know that it happened.
(I love this photobomb by Sherab)
The theme park had three houses decorated, and peopled, in the faux-traditional styles of the three main peoples of Sikkim: Lepcha, Bhutia, and Nepalese. What a great opportunity for more picture taking!
Not everyone in this group is a roller coaster person, and it was pretty late in the day by this point, so after more walking, picture taking, and general silliness, it was time for another snack. The theme park had a jungle themed restaurant inside a fake cave, so we went there...
for more pictures...
... and silliness.
After relaxing a bit at the restaurant, we headed out. Had a bit of a dance party on the way home.
(an exemplary dance party moment)
On the way back we stopped for more tea, momos, and some pakoras.
(those plates are made of leaves!)
And then the day was over. And a fine day it was.
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