As of 365 days ago we were all drifting far above the Asian continent, very much separate but somehow connected by gossamer threads of what destiny had in store for us… Connected by the simple fact that we threw our unharnessed faith in the Carpe Diem boat bound for India. I remember seeing the lights of Delhi waver into sight, a pit in my stomach of rumbling excitement and question- a brimming cesspool cauldron of emotion and anticipation that spilled everywhere in my head once the aircraft wheels hit foreign soil.

And so it began- walking into the Delhi night- pungent air and the unabashed use of horn and shout. Bumping down the road with Becca on my right, Ben in front, my eyes glued to the window- I remember thinking: This is going to be a wild ride. 

And so it was. A wild ride of meeting a world anew. A wildly beautiful ride of spending time with us as a group while seeing and feeling a country that seeped into our souls. From street meandering with Luke, to laughter and smiles over breakfast with our group in full, to experience after experience, I found myself smiling and contented in my sleeping bag as I drifted to sleep each night. Between that first exploration of the Lotus Temple in Delhi, to that last supper atop the roof in the city where it all began, there sits a bucket of memories, feelings, and experiences which embody beauty, trial, tribulation, growth, laughter, connection, and imagery of both outlandish sweetness and sorrow. The elastic ebb and flow of our trip, our group, and our connections, are feelings stored in that personal box of treasures hidden and protected in the tissue and bones of our bodies.

With the horizon of a new year stretching ahead- the possibilities and excitements of young life are grand and enticing. As I find myself looking forward, I pause to reflect on the visage of a year past that has both given and changed me so much. I hope that the crazy ball of light and connection, that was rolling around in India in different forms for all of us, has fragmented its way into your lives to make them richer and fuller away from our Indian home.

In some ways I’m at a loss for words to adequately describe how I feel at the bottom of all this. But you all know this feeling, this moment, that bubbled up in lieu of the significant date today. A love attack: Where I want so badly to see all the faces in front of me and know everything about them and share a part of their feelings and energy. I miss y’all (Thank you Maddi). I love y’all. 365 days ago I hadn’t ever seen your faces. 365 days ago I didn’t imagine 3 months could have meant so much.

Tomorrow we wake up in separate beds, separate realities, separate worlds. Very much separate but somehow connected by the gossamer threads that destiny, luck, for sakes christ, Ganesh? had in store for us. We wake up connected by the simple fact that we threw our unharnessed faith in the Carpe Diem boat bound for India. Tomorrow we wake up connected by gossamer threads of conversations, belly laughs, stargazing, yoga on the rooftops, dancing on bridges, piling in rickshaws, singing on trainrides, and seeing one another every sunrise for 3 months. My body sighs, my mind clears, I am a happy boy tomorrow as I was 365 days ago. The same happy boy with a different bodily perspective.

Sending love and connection- may the gossamers keep us close, Noah

Our boogers are black…we’re back in Dheli.

Our final night was spent at the Wongden House, where we found ourselves 3 months ago on our very first night. Erin checks off the last day in her immaculate calendar, and Brianna zips up her duffel bag stuffed exclusively with Tibetan wool goods.

The countdown begins…15 hours till our flight to Hong Kong.

Last night we gathered on the roof by candlelight and by the hum of mosquitoes recounted favorite stories, and reflected on our growth. We also discovered Olegario’s DJ name after a long waiting game…it is DJ 2-Tall.

Partially inspired by our own Erin’s list making, we’ve compiled a list as a group, we feel that it is quite telling and surprising sentimental.

ILLNESSES, AILMENTS AND INJURIES (of the past 3 mo.)

Strep, ringworm, staph, mumps, bed bugs, lice, bee sting, dog bite, toothache, “double-dragon”/”the bug” (we all had it)-simultaneous vomit/diarrhea, asthma attack, altitude sickness, common cold, severe acne, food poisoning, hallucinations, temporary insanity, ashram induced auditory hallucinations, meat withdraws (Jake), chronic flatulence (also Jake), incontinence (leaky bladder/sharts), leech/tick bites.

So…that’s that.

But before I say Namaste for the last blog-time, I want to share this poem,

to me it encapsulates that powerful word.

“Out beyond the ideas

of wrongdoing and rightdoing

there is a field.

I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down

in that grass

the world is too full to talk about.

Ideas, language

even the phrase ‘each other’

do not make any sense.”

-RUMI

So Namaste, and THANK YOU to my carpe family, the larger carpe diem family and staff both in PDX and around the globe, and of course to our family and friends at home (see you soon!)

I’ll smile when I think of…

Erin’s order

Ben’s one liners

Jake bleeping out his own swears (i.e. “get your ___ bags!”)

Mariah’s sweet tooth

Bri’s wide eyed wonder

Kat’s knowledge of unearthly things

Brianna’s milkshakes and koala bear

Simone’s advice

Olegario’s thinking face.

Peace, punch, captain crunch,

Cobe

Hi families and friends, significant others and random readers!

Sorry for the delay with the blog. Each moment in McLeod Ganj ends up being too precious to find the time to sit in an internet café. I post from Delhi but wrote from McLeod (for the most past):

Our group arrived in McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government over a week ago, and our days have flown by. Our time here has been truly amazing. McLeod Ganj is a haven of comfort to tourists, with the many western cafés and little shops, clean sidewalks and smiling faces, and an ocean of opportunity in volunteer and service, education and personal growth.

As a group, we’ve watched documentaries on Tibet, been blessed by the 17^thKarmapa, and had a personal discussion with Lhasang Tsering, an extremely active and passionate Tibetan man who has dedicated his life to a hope that Tibet might one day be free. One day we went to see the Lion Man Show, a few us for a second time. This Lion Man gave us a brief history of where he comes from (Tibet) danced to traditional Tibetan Music, then turned on some electric-type music… we were swung around, Ben’s shirt was pulled up over his head, halfway off, Mariah was on Lion Man’s shoulders, Simone took lead in some Salsa, Kat laughed– really hard, Cobie complimented his dance quite nicely and I encourage her to take some of this home with her, and I had my face licked. Jake, Erin and Ole watched from the window, giggling at what they had created.(They went to Lion Man’s previous show days earlier, and talked us into going. “You’ll see,” they told us. Oh we saw.)

As individuals, we might have visited the Tibetan Museum , Tsuglagkhang (the Dalai Lama’s temple), attended a public discussion on human rights, gone on a hike, volunteered to speak English with Tibetan refugees and/or ex-political prisoners, met some locals/friends, and/or simply explored the lovely McLeod Ganj.

As for our sleeping arrangements! Each one of us stayed with a different Tibetan family. And I PROMISE, each one of us loves our families, so much. To give you an idea of what it’s like, I wake up with my family at around 6:40 in the morning and watch their morning routine. “Good morning!” my Pala (father) always says. My Ama (mother) first cooks breakfast for my Pala, who shortly after leaves for temple (sometimes I go) and from there, opens up shop.

(Bri Hornsby’s Pala once left at 1:00 in the morning for temple.

“Why?” she asked.

“For temple.”

“Yea, but why?”

“For temple!”

There are some things Westerners may never understand.)

While my Pala gets ready, he softly chants mantras with his mala (Buddhist prayer beads) in his hand. If you’re lucky, you can hear the monks walking around outside, wherever they are going, chanting not so softly. And if you’re really really lucky, you might just have the use the bathroom, which calls for going outside. The morning light is just coming from behind the mountains. And if you’re really really really lucky, a monk may be passing your door as you step outside. Back in the apartment, my sister entertains me with Tibetan singing/dancing, books, drawings, laughs and kisses. My Ama will serve me lemon tea and my sister warm milk, and shortly thereafter I may be given a Tibetan pancake (over an inch thick, best pancake I ever had), Tibetan bread (closest thing I can compare it to is a very large English muffin) with butter, and/or friend eggs. I watch as my Ama gets her daughter ready, chants her mantra and lights the incense below the large picture of the Dalai Lama. When my sister’s hair is perfected and lunch packed, my Ama walks my sister to school, and then from their joins my Pala at the shop, where she sells jewelery, sweaters and the leggings she hand knits during the day. (she also talks to the local women. Work is a big social scene!) We, the foreign students/tourists/adopted-children, have the day ahead of us to do as we like, and then return home for dinner with our families.

Attn: You are now on a side note. Let me explain this ‘chanting the mantra’ a little better. My Tibetan family will chant their mantras throughout their morning routine. Pala may be chanting and once he sees I’m awake he will say “Good morning!” ask me how I slept, have a little conversation, the go back to his mantra. While poking his daughter to wake up, he is chanting the mantra. My Pala thinks about rights for Tibet and a long life for the Dalai Lama, as well as happiness for everyone/everything. The most common mantra is ” Om mani padme hum.” From what a 27 year old local boy told me, this is basically sending out ‘good life” to all living beings… meaning every living “thing” on this earth. (It means MUCH more than ‘good life’. And from what books and internet tells me, it sends out compassion to the world, every living being. I am just a tourist, so I really have no idea the true meaning of this mantra.

Each day in McLeod Ganj can provide lessons for your life, whether it lie in the Tibetan Peoples’ never ending struggle for freedom– which includes the purpose and true meaning of a nonviolent approach against oppression, about the ‘self,’ or maybe to take it easy. As the locals tell us, ”slowly, slowly.”

As for our internships in McLeod Ganj:

Ms. Briana Hornsby, Ms. Mariah and I were in a Tibetan cooking internship. We have made Tibetan soups, breads, MOMOS and a farmers breakfast. Delicious and delicious.

Jake, Simone, Erin and Ole wake up nice and early to attend their Tibetan massage lessons. They will be certificated by the end, so expect a nice long massage (if you’re one of the lucky ones) from Erin or Jake come December 9^th. (They’ll need a day of rest.) And for Simone and Ole’s massage recievers, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Anticipation always makes it that much greater, though. (Unless you’re not expecting anything!) And I hear their massage teacher is hilarious!!! (*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. ERIN!!!)

Cobie is learning Thangka Painting. She actually just finished it and it is beautiful. (Google Thangka Paintings- they are alllllll over McLeod Ganj and decorate the Monastery’s walls)

Ben should be playing guitar…but…well… he got a wee bit sick… He’s well now! You can relax Mrs. Ben. He’s eating (the most delicious) Yak Cheese Cake everyday now and loving every moment. (*HAPPY BIRTHDAY BENJAMIN!!!!)

And finally, Kat is learning the Tibetan language, and I hear from her instructor that she is good… “very good.”

In conclusion, my words give neither McLeod Ganj nor the Tibetan People justice. I encourage readers to do some background information on the Tibetan/Chinese conflict. One documentary our group just watched is Tibet Undercover. Before your research, ask yourself what freedom is. Does one have the right to be free? Who decides who is free? And should a person hold that right?

Don’t forget, we are all just people.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom.”

- Martin Luther King Junior

“I don’t believe that nonviolence has lost its relevance and just remained a concept. It’s we who have chosen not to utilize it.”

-Martin Luther King III

Come on ya’ll. Let’s defend our people and work towards a nonviolent future. Tibet is the next chapter.

See ya’ll in a few days! (I MISS EL GROUPO ALREADY!!!)

Bri Rensington (just kidding family, Ranieri) &&&&&&AND Shanti

Bir

Nov 15-21:

Buddhist Teachings, discussion, films

pooja ritual at Chokling Monastery

Movies: The Story of Stuff, 10 Questions with the Dalai Lama, Thich Naht Hahn film about peace

Hike to Sherabling Monastery

Hike to Upper Bir village, waterfall

working in Craftshop with my man Trilockk

Went to an incense factory

Talk with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (The coolest cave lady)

Thoughts

Ole:”Self is the problem not the solution”

Cobie: “Meditation is natural portion control”

Ben: “Buddhism is my favorite” after eating a bugger)

Mariah:”It takes effort to become effortless”

Jake: “Just develop a good heart”

Hornsby: “Nothing is permanent”

Simone:”Bringing happiness to others is the answer”

Bri: “Deer Park was awesome”

Kat: “Duality is not absolute”

As Ben and Bri said, Deer Park and Buddhism were pretty awesome. We all learned a lot and it was  good to just relax and learn a little somethin’ about Buddhism. Not much to say, Bir was the closest thing to school that we have come by in India, so it was refreshing (suprisingly). Ask us when we come home in 2 weeks what exactly we learned because I think we all will remember. At one point or another all of us could relate with the science of Buddhism, so the lectures/teachings will always be relatively permanent in our minds.;) Cobie and I worked on our swag for the Carpe Diem competition and Simone shot her application video for a travel show she was asked to apply for.

Yours Truly,

Jake Taylor Glading

Hi everybody,
Here is how our travel went from Rishikesh to Amritsar. We left Rishikesh at
10:30 from our relaxing  hotel with great yack cheese sandwiches and took a bus to a train stop. We got on a train then
transferred to another train. I remember saying this is going to be an easy
travel day but, there is no such thing as an easy travel day in India. When
we got on our first train we had sitting couches which at home would mean 3
people to a seat, here it means 4 to 5 people. Some are small people, like
really old women. So on the first train, all of a sudden I saw a little boy
being carried by a train of people. Then the little boy sat down in an aisle
and projectile vomited all over the floor and a little on Ole’s backpack. Of course Ole being a doctor just sat there calm and gentle patted the little boys back.  The vomit sat on the floor and next a blind teenage boy who was begging for money walked into the area and started to walk down the aisle, when he almost got to the vomit everyone including us Americans started yelling STOP!

The other train was a sleeper train which made it better but it was 3 hours
late! So we did not get to Amristar until 2:00 in the morning. We went
straight to the beautiful Golden Temple which is the holiest site of the
Sikh religion. Where you can hear them sing  or chanting from the holy book through out the day and night from the inside of the temple.

Simone was so sure there would be free rooms in the area around the golden temple, but there were none. So our group slept on the granite tile floor for 3 hours because we didn’t get to sleep until 3:30 am. Once we got found are sleeping place Kat and Bri went to go get some free chai  and cookies in the very large dinning hall. At the Golden temple the Sikh people serve 40 to 60 thousand meals a day free to anyone. The meals change, my favorite was the rice pudding with large slices of dried coconut and lots of milk also the yellow sweet coconut rice is pretty good.   Sleeping was short lived though because the  guards go around to all the sleeping people at 6:30 am with their sticks and poke them. So after that, 4 other girls and I have been staying in 1 hotel room close to the temple where the others are all sleeping on 1 bed surrounded by other beds with people from all over the world.

Love the group,

Mariah

P.S. I will try to get some photos on as soon as I can. The computer keeps crashing on me well trying to post this blog so bye.

Namaste friends and family!

Erin here, blogging to catch you up on our many adventures since the trek!

After bidding farewell to our trekking guide, Dendu, and the cooks and porters who helped us along the way, we spent a night in Yuksom, the starting point of our trek. The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel before boarding a jeep to Darjeeling, a city known for its tea plantations and picturesque views of the Himalayas. The 4-hour drive from Yuksom was made a bit longer when one of the jeep’s tires blew out! Thankfully, we were traveling on flat terrain and not the standard rocky, cliff-like surfaces found in the hills of Sikkim, so we were able to get going again without too much trouble.

Upon our arrival in Darjeeling, we discovered that there was a mistake with our guest house booking, so Ole and I scrambled to find new accommodations. After we made reservations at a cozy place just up the street, the group settled in and went to dinner, hungry after a long day of travel! One thing that we discovered quickly in Darjeeling is that the street food is not only cheaper than restaurant meals, but it is also considerably more delicious! After a disappointing dinner at a local restaurant, we all opted for egg rolls made by a sweet, elderly couple who ran a stand in the center of the main square. Most of their cuisine cost anywhere between 25-35 rupees (equivalent to about 60 cents), a great bargain by any standard! By the end of our weekend stay, the couple recognized each of us and even knew some of our favorite meals, especially Jake and his off-menu creation, the chicken-egg bun, of which he continues to be quite proud.

Over the next two days, we had plenty of free time to explore Darjeeling on our own. For many, this meant shopping, catching up on email and laundry, and sampling more street food! Our guest house was roughly a 10-minute walk from many shops, stalls, and cafes, so we took advantage of the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and gifts, ranging from jewelry to books to knives to the famous tea from the hills of Darjeeling. During our stay, we also met up with Mike, the program director for our India trip, and it was great to meet him and catch up on our travels, as well as hear about the exciting plans ahead of us! One evening, on Mike’s recommendation, a few of us went to see the film Ra One, a huge hit in Indian theaters. Those who saw the movie (Cobie, Mariah, Bri R., Ole & Simone), were thoroughly impressed by the action scenes, dance numbers and catchy songs, and they all agreed that it was a much better film than Hum Tum Shabana, our Varanasi cinema experience. I think that the fact that they didn’t want to leave at intermission certainly says something!

After two days, we were sad to leave Darjeeling, as it was really a quaint, friendly place and an excellent combination of the Himalayan tranquility we had become accustomed to and the bustling city life that we needed to remember. From Darjeeling, we took a jeep to Siliguri, arriving in the evening, and spent the night there. The next morning (November 1st), we drove to Bagdogra in time for a 10:30 AM flight to Delhi. Upon our arrival, we settled in at a guest house in Paharganj, a spot you may remember as the site of our orientation weekend scavenger hunt! We all quickly observed that Delhi didn’t seem nearly as overwhelming or confusing as it was back in September. Ben reminisced about his memories of Paharganj as a blur of color, noise and panic, none of which seemed as apparent this time around. The noise was less noticeable, the rickshaw drivers and street vendors seemed less aggressive, and I think we were simply more comfortable and confident in India. It’s always nice to see progress as a traveler, to feel like you’re learning and growing, and I think that a trip back to Delhi just about halfway through our Indian journey was an awesome indicator of how far we’ve come

The next day, we had quite an adventure while trying to book a bus to Rishikesh… After a 20-minute walk to the metro (lugging our heavy bags all the way), a train ride to Kashmere Gate, haggling to some time with little success, and another crowded, 40-minute bus ride to a different bus station, we finally found a vehicle within our budget that would take us where we needed. Much of the difficulty this time of year with regards to transportation stems from the fact that November tends to be the beginning of India’s biggest tourist season. As part of our weekly group jobs, we take turns being responsible for booking accommodation and transportation, and I think that Jake and I, who had those jobs that week, got a good taste of the hassles that can arise as a traveler in an incredibly busy atmosphere!

On the evening of November 2nd, we arrived in Rishikesh, settled in at the Bhandari Swiss Cottage, and had a good night’s sleep! The next day, we had free time in Rishikesh to explore as we pleased. Mariah and Cobie treated themselves to fantastic massages of the ayurvedic and Thai varieties; Kat and Bri “ate, ate, ate” (Bri’s words), and browsed at a local bookstore; Briana and I went to Lakshman Jhula, the heart of town, and were blessed by a monkey god while wandering the streets; Jake went into town and then took a long walk to the Ganges River, ending up in front of the ashram that would be our home for the next week; Ben journeyed to the site where The Beatles stayed during their famous 1968 trip to Rishikesh to play his guitar; Simone planned her post-India travels to Thailand, and Ole explored the area around the river!

The following morning, we traveled to Phool Chatti Ashram (www.phoolchattiyoga.com), a spiritual center about 5km from the bustling center of town, where we were to set to begin a 7-day yoga and meditation retreat. At the ashram, we were introduced to Randy, the program coordinator, Lalita-ji, our yoga teacher and a native of Bodhgaya (our home in early October!), and Thor, our 21-year-old meditation leader from San Francisco, who was a great inspiration to us all week.

During our stay at the ashram, we had a schedule that kept us busy from 5:30 AM until around 9 PM! One of the main rules there was “the silence,” a meditative state of quiet that was mandatory from 9:30 PM until after lunch the next day. This meant no whispering, playing or listening to music, and even no written communication during that time. The staff at the ashram emphasized that we should view the silence as an opportunity for reflection and meditative thought, and although some of us struggled with the lack of communication, ultimately I think it was a great lesson for all of us. Cobie and I both agreed that it helped us think about choosing our words carefully, and that talking can serve as a great distraction, but that it can also be beneficial to more thoughtfully consider the impact of what we say.

Each morning at the ashram we were awoken at 5:30 AM by a gong ringing in the central courtyard. At 6 AM, our group (there were 26 other travelers from Estonia, France, England, Germany, and other countries participating in the program with us), met in the yoga hall for a silent meditation. This was followed by mantra chanting, yogic cleansing (similar to a neti pot nasal cleansing with warm water and salts), pranayama (breathing techniques), and roughly an hour and a half of hatha yoga. Our morning yoga classes were a bit gentler than the afternoon sessions, but still provided a great workout and a fun opportunity for each of us to become a bit more flexible! We all really enjoyed our teacher, Lalita-ji, (who was at times frighteningly flexible), and learned many new asanas (exercises) from her throughout the week.

After yoga, we would all meet on the sunny rooftop for breakfast! Even during times when conversation was allowed, all meals were eaten in silence to help with digestion. After being served, we would wait until the entire group had received their food, then Lalita-ji would say a blessing and it was time to eat! Breakfast typically consisted of chai, porridge, fruit, and a noodle dish, always a yummy way to start our day At 10 AM, the group practiced karma yoga, which isn’t a physical activity, but rather a practice of selfless action where everyone worked to help clean the ashram. Afterwards, at around 10:30, the group would meet for a meditative walk. We had the opportunity to hike up to a beautiful waterfall one day, and also traveled to a small beach on the Ganges River where we were able to swim and bathe. The portion of the Ganges that runs through Rishikesh is incredibly close to the source, so it is clean and refreshing! We had beautiful weather for the whole week, and it was really nice to get outside of the ashram and experience nature in peace.

Lunch was served at 12:30 everyday, with chai on the rooftop afterwards. Meals typically consisted of a cooked vegetable mix eaten with chapati (a round, flat bread), dal (lentils), rice, curd (yogurt), and raw vegetables. It was nice to get back into a routine of eating Indian food every day, and at the end of the week most of the group agreed that they were newly appreciative of the cuisine! After lunch, we were able to enjoy the freedom of conversation for the first time all day, although some of us found ourselves speaking a bit less than usual after practicing silence for many hours. Our only real free time was between 1-3 PM, where we had the opportunity to shower (with hot water!!), nap, play cards, paint, journal, and explore around the Ganges. The entire group would meet again at 3 PM for discussion and lecture sessions where we learned about ashram life, principles of the yogic path, and the eight branches of yoga. Although questions were encouraged, the ashram staff often answered our queries with encouragement to meditate on our thoughts and discover a meaning for ourselves. While this was frustrating for some of us who were perhaps searching for more concrete information, it was also an interesting introduction to Eastern philosophy and the way that spirituality is practiced in India.

Our afternoon finished up with ashtanga yoga, a more intense practice, which often left me sore but rejuvenated! Afterwards we had a few more breathing exercises before meeting in the courtyard for temple puja, a nightly ritual where offerings are given to Hindu gods. At around 6:15 PM, we gathered again as a group to sing bhajans, Hindu devotional music. This part of the program was a favorite for many, as the loud, heartfelt chanting and tambourine-playing created a fun and uplifting atmosphere within the group. A few of us copied down the lyrics to the kirtan (sacred songs), so you can be sure to hear some of them once we’re home! As a side note, Mariah is truly a tambourine GODDESS, and her musical passion during the bhajans inspired all who were staying at the ashram. After singing, we met for dinner, followed by a guided meditation at 8:30 PM. We practiced meditation over the week in a few different ways: by focusing on our breathing, our third eye, chanting a mantra, and listening to spiritual music. Many agreed that the guided meditations were easier to sit through, as we were given something a bit more specific and concrete to focus on. Bedtime came at around 9:30 for most of us, and we were all grateful for the warm, comfortable beds after our long and busy days!

Some personal reflections from our time at the ashram…

-Simone: Appreciated the lesson from a “sneaky Buddha,” which she described as a person who comes into your life and challenges or frustrates you, but ultimately helps you to learn a lesson in compassion as you deal with the aggravation

-Ole: “The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.” (George Bernard Shaw)

-Jake: Enjoyed his time at the ashram, though sometimes it was tough, but he saw an improvement and thought it was an interesting experienced. He particularly liked the yoga and guided meditation!

-Ben: Interested by the concept that you are not your thoughts. This allowed him to think about how he defines himself, and to think that perhaps music more deeply reflects his feelings on spirituality.

-Bri R.: Learned alot about herself in places that she didn’t know existed, without even realizing it! Thought it was an awesome experience and the people were absolutely amazing.

-Briana & Cobie: Ashram life is in line with prison life in the best way possible. On the flip side, God is everything…or is it?

-Erin: Appreciated the quiet meditative walks and was inspired by bathing in the Ganges. Loved seeing progress during the yoga classes, and hopes to continue the practice back home!

-Mariah: Learned her new favorite exercise – the lotus push-up

That’s all for now! With under 4 weeks to go, we’re starting to have to think about the reality of coming home. We miss and love you all, and we’ll be with you before you know it!

Thanks for reading! We’ll update with pictures ASAP

Love, Erin

From the journals and minds of the young trekkers, I present to you individual “Revelations/inspirations/moments of empowerment” from our hike/bus tour.

Brianna H.-wants to expand her eating horizons (unlike her Thai bus-mates who ate pre-packaged Thai ‘catfood’ instead of the freshly prepared Indian cuisine)

Erin-Being alone in nature she couldn’t run from her thoughts. This inspired her to be more present with her thoughts in the future and to allow more time for self reflection and general thoughtfulness.

Kat-

Bri R.- Felt pure happiness at the top of the Kangchenzonga viewpoint, after having pushed through nausea and exhaustion.

Mariah- Was moved to find inspiration within herself and is feeling motivated to discover her passions in life.

Ben- “I understand why city states cannot go to war; because of the mountains”

Jake-Theres a time and a place for everything. Yetis (aka abominable snow man/bigfoot) EXISTS.

Me/Cobie: Taking MY time not basing my pace on somebody else’s. Enjoying bringing up the rear with Simone and Bri R.

Simone- Simone expressed the following after a day of taking her time on the hike, really absorbing nature and being present…”People say life is short, but its not! Life is long!”

Olegario- Experienced the humbling effects of nature through the lens of knowing we were one sprained ankle or illness away from having to turn back.