Heartwarming encounters

At the retreat up in Tushita we had a few stray dogs hanging around the center, sleeping at the gompa's doormat and waiting patiently around the dining area for some leftovers. Understandingly we were asked not to feed them. 💔Heartbreaking for me. So I made a promise to bring them a treat once the retreat was over.
So yesterday morning I went scouting for dog food in town, found some pedigree treats and a chicken butcher. Loaded with my gifts I climbed back up the hill to look for my sweethearts. I found them infront of the gompa and invited them to follow me down the stairs where I opened my chicken parcel. After some initial hesitation they endeavoured in their treat and I gave them a heartful goodbye. Also I've contacted the local vet taking care of the strays to see if there was anything in spefic she could need support in.

A bit further up the street Kanwar was waiting for me. We had chatted earlier walking up the road and he had invited me to his place for chai. He is an Ayurvedic practitioner from Shimla. Now living here in McLeod Ganj after his divorce. We talked about life and spiritual practice for some time before I continued back down into town. What a kind and humble man. I split the leftover chicken among his four dogs in return for my chai 😉

Back in town I had two more errands to run: finding a specific Tibetan ointment for a friend back home and visiting Marleen in her Thangka shop. We have had a very inspiring chat when I had first arrived and I had promised to pop back in after the retreat. I wanted to exchange experiences and see if I would find a nice Thangka that would speak to me. I did 💕 A beautiful handpainted image of Chenrezig, the Buddha of love & compassion will be coming home with me. ☺️
On my way I spotted a few familiar faces from Tushita - so nice to exchange a warm hug with new friends in a country far away from home 🩷.

Then it was time to fetch my bag and head for the taxi stand. Despite my big load I couldn't resist handing out some treats to all the dogs along the way, it was such a pleasure for me to see them munching away. :-)

Kanwar had instructed me where to find the shuttle jeeps for Dharamsala that took only 20 Rps for the ride instead of 200,- for a taxi. Even if it's not for the money, I always enjoy authentic experiences! I was reminded of my travels through South America when we squeezed 12 people in the jeep and had the luggage riding ontop in the roof rack . Best way to get to know your seat neighbors! Until we had arrived at our destination I knew that Hassan was a motivated young Indian Muslim trying to make ends meet caring for his kidney insufficient mother without health insurance and working as a sports manager for field hockey in tribal communities. He chose to follow this path rather than going for the big money and was here in McLeod Tank to seek guided meditation to help him with the inner challenges he is facing. In the end he offered me one of his apples and I was happy to present him with a package of Manners in return. He even was so kind to walk me to my bus to make sure I'd be all right before he continued his own journey to Delhi. I sincerely hope things turn to the best for him and his mother!

While waiting for my bus to open the doors, a very shy, limping female dog appeared on the scene. I coaxed her to come closer and after eating two hands full of food she was ready for some petting and really enjoyed the back rub I gave her. And my hands were black from her dust and ready for a washing! 😅

Once in the bus the young lady in front of me whom I asked how to decline my seat chatted me up for at least 30 min giving me a detailed insight on a few topics of "India today". On the career options of young Indians it's basically IT or low income. No wonder 99% of the young people I meet traveling are into IT! Asking her if she liked it, she just laughed and said that it wasn't a question of interest, but a question if you wanted to be able to support your family. Interesting viewpoint was that she absolutely defended arranged marriage! She was 32 and said she's sincerely being asking her father to find a match for her because she didn't have time to do so, being so busy with work. I thought she was joking at first, but she was serious about it.

Ok, Yoga lesson is starting shortly so I will leave it at that. More on my journey to Rishikesh in tomorrow's footprint.
Be well everyone! 🪷🩷🌸Læs mere