Hello! I had some time, so I thought I'd give a little more information about what has been going on with me.
Still in India (hah), still healthy and happy. The program is really great. I spend most of my time in really heavy Buddhist philosophy classes, trying to keep up with the philosophy majors from Australia. I'm learning a lot, though because there is so much information coming at me every day I am a little anxious about how to digest all of the information. I'm just lucky I took a course this semester, otherwise I'd be really lost. It's really fascinating, though. The more I learn about Buddhism, the more I like it. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out a way to seperate it from the superstition that every aspect of its philosophy leads to, making it a theology, and therefore I cannot actually accept it as a way of life. Others have converted already, though, and it's only day 4. Hah, I don't really understand.
The people on the program are really wonderful. Especially on the American side, I think I like everyone we're with. The person I'm rooming with, Lela, is this sophomore from Amherst. I'm lucky to be rooming with her, she's really into what we're learning and knew a lot about it coming in. As a result, I go to her whenever I need someone to fill in the gaps, and it works out really well for me.
Ummmm, speaking of rooms! The guest house we've been living in is really nice. The rooms are large, and we have western toilets (we can even use toilet paper). The showers took a second to get used to, but they aren't terrible. We don't use a shower head, instead we fill a bucket with warm water and pour it over ourselves. It's a little less relaxing and warm, so we don't end up taking very long showers, which I guess is...good. All of this will be a little irrelevant to me in 24 hours, though, since we're moving into the girls hostel. That experience will be a little rougher, though I found out today that they are giving us bucket water heaters, so we'll essentially be showering in the same conditions. The toilets will be a different story. ... .... as I said, we'll see how well I adapt.
I'm running out of time, so I'll do bullet points:
-Last post I mentioned my buddy. Buddies are Tibetan students who we are paired up with to just be friends with to get a closer look at the culture. My buddy is Pema, she's a nun studying at the institute from Nepal. She's 20, but she looks 14. I love her.
-Sunday I'm going to Varanasi for the day, where I get to shop. The exchange rate rocks, this internet cafe is going to cost me like, five cents.
-I love monks, they make me so happy.
-The Dalai Lama gets here soon, and the town of Sarnath is buzzing. It's a really exciting time to be here.
Okay that's all. BYE!
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No need to share toilet stories :) What about this great food you say you've been eating? Parma sounds cute - when you say nun, should I be thinking nun like Catholics? Is there a particular reason there are alot of Australians? Boy, it's sounding great. Love ya. mom
ReplyDeleteso here's a question... how long do you think elle's shower would be if she had to do the hot water bucket thing? hmm. i'm so happy that you like everyone you're with (kinda funny though that people are already converting...oh, smithies)-- i miss you tons & tons, i can't wait to hear about meeting the dalai lama! when does that happen? be safe and update soon.
ReplyDeleteoh and ps i am SO HAPPY you're taking your anti crack meds. good little gerbs :)
Love you.
ReplyDelete*separate
ReplyDeleteHer name is Pema, not Parma. She's a Buddhist nun, which means she wears the traditional robes and shaves her head just like the monks do. Christians don't have exclusive usage of that term.
we might never see elle again if she tried to shower this way.
the dalai lama arrives on Wednesday, and the audience can be any time after that point.
i am recovering from what I believe is severe food poisoning. I was lucky that my body dispelled of it in a more pleasant direction, but it was terrible all the same. I'm still really weak but I can walk now, so I think I'll be better soon. The silver lining is that I didn't have to stay in the girls' hostel last night, which is disgusting.
I lasted a week. Buh.
Katie, even writing about the terrible food poisoning, you manage to throw in a wry (oh so funny) remark. So you must be getting better, I hope so.
ReplyDeleteHow is it that you can post this comment? Do you have to go to the internet cafe? Is there a town of sorts?
mom
If you remain seriously ill then please check into the nearest western hotel and get medical treatment. Don't run the risk of being physically impaired the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteDAD
My, I am really enjoying your blog so far and the diverse reactions of your parents to the food poisoning issue. Oh, Gerbers. Thanks so much for writing and I can't wait to hear more!
ReplyDeleteHave you read Be Here Now? I stumbled upon it at the Strand in NYC and found it really interesting. It's more of a 60s LSD cult/hippie/Buddhist text than pure philosophy, but enlightening (haha) nonetheless.
--Stephanie Garry
i think i'm enjoying the comments from the peanut gallery just as much as i am your updates. i, too, am so pleased that you are taking your crack meds. and i'm sorry about the food poisoning! take care of yourself.
ReplyDeletehave fun shopping. buy pretty things!