It rains on our hotel
I photograph
It sometimes hails
turning all white
then clouds float by
Rinpoche is brave
our new friend visits
I photograph hotel plants
our fake ones too
Norbu Tsering cares for us
preparing Sunday momos
in his kitchen
exercise on the verandah
then tea
a teaching by His Holiness
and prayers resume
mine as well
before photographing more flowers
Good night
Morning moon
the street is empty
there are no donors
few people before the main gate
I buy our breakfast bread
no one buying vegetables
or taking taxis
even the tea stall is empty
a friend awaits an offering
as do his colleagues
a reminder
to be kind
Down our little hill
the circumambulation begins
an opportunity to give
welcome
we each go our own way
influenced by the mantra of compassion
Om Mani Padme Hum
sometimes hidden
She sweeps the path, her son and friend in tow
the Buddhas delight in merit
more Om Mani Padme Hums
more circumambulators
flowers are offered
and prayer wheels spun
A lone Mani stone
and the climb begins
prayer flags flutter
we reach the level part
a last Om Mani Padme Hum
and home to where Rinpoche observes
Rato Khyongla Rinpoche
Chuwar Rinpoche, reincarnation of the late Abbot of Rato Monastery, with his Chanzo
Norman
Jeremy
Jakob
John Bellezza
French Marianne, the Venerable Tenzin Kunkyi
A friend
Kotwalli shop keeper
welding Jeweler
Kashmiri porter
dry cleaner
Indru Naagi friends
Gentleman from Indru Naag
Sir and Madam on a Naddi walk
Naddi tea maker
Sapna is also from Naddi
Saini Kumar and family are from Khanyara
Saini in his photo studio
Barbee
Dhauladhar Head Waiter
his staff
and a competing restaurant waiter
Barnet tea stall owner
her daughter
our neighbors
And me