I visit my father
He lives near Garibaldi
protected by soldiers
a general
It’s a sedentary part of town
easy to navigate
we read
and eat!
Sandra writes her book
Alexander visits
we walk
a carbonara at Checco's
followed by a rest
and then good bye
to return to New Jersey for Halloween
In Xiushui the scent of lilies fills the air
in Xiushui life moves steadily
you take your shoes off outside
and people are respectful
I visit Lukang’s temple
people are happy there
happiness is the point, is it not?
and Lukang has charm
On to a mountain retreat
warmly welcomed
and then it’s over
On to Taipei
the Grand Hotel looms over all
as does 101, once the tallest building in the world
photographers take aim
I visit the Wu sisters, Saraha runs the gallery
showing contemporary Buddhist art works
her sister Ruby prepares Matcha
drunk with two hands to steady concentration and appreciation
and Hsiao Ro arranges flowers
the Wu sisters work hard
to bring beauty and spirit to their isle
I return to Rato
monsoon brews
the young monks grow
they study hard
memorize their prayers
and learn about the world
Our elder scholars persevere
preparing for exams
a little walk can help
then back to studies
New construction has begun
architecture, engineering, and construction, proudly done in house
the animals relax
coconuts collect
Gen Gyatsend Tardo has taken charge of cooking
he prepares watermelon for desert
The guesthouse is well maintained
mopping continues
the generator chugs on
while Renuka takes a needed break
All is well at Rato
Monsoon can be severe in Dharamsala
Kashmir Cottage remains serene
The new Rato abbot has come from Korea
the stupa of our late abbot, Chuwar Rinpoche, my teacher when I first joined Rato
View from the apartment I was so kindly lent
Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
a shave
chai with the cobbler who repaired my umbrella
a Rajasthani serenade
the best samosa and chai in town, their maker in the background
I see Heiko who photographed my ordination many years ago,
the man who guards the ATM,
and two happy lamas, Lelung Rinpoche and Ngagchen Rinpoche
I visit Prakash who cared for us at Deodar Villa during covid and now has his own tea stall
then a dinner party, Khyongla Rinpoche-style, on the eve of my departure.
A quick stop at the Amritsar Ritz
and to Delhi where life is laid back