Back in Dharamsala

Dharamsala

work in progress

bricks delivered

columns prepared

and soon another floor

across the way the monkeys play

Linda visits

she photographs

long necks

and enjoys tea

soon off

good bye

Rinpoche remains

continuing his prayers

then out

to visit friends

have moksha tea

tea makes the day run smoothly

My studio: Jacquie

Gavin

Jigme

Tseten

Sapna who keeps it all clean

then out

to pray

and rest

Doctors visit

prayers are put aside

they soon depart

and prayers resume

McLeod Ganj glows

as a storm brews

we enjoy

All is well

Rome

A quick trip to Rome

to have my sensor cleaned

and absorb some culture

see old friends

stroll through the city

look up

or down

across the flat

or out my window

I keep trying to photograph my father

the trees are more accommodating

less averse to being photographed

though sometimes shy

modest

always accepting of their state

We lunch with a Texan princess

who lives alone

in modest digs

But we are happy

content

and that’s what counts!

Marrakech

Welcome to Morocco

It had been three and a half years since I last saw my father

he has been writing his memoirs

with Sandra’s help

She keeps him fit

eating healthy food

cooked by Salwa

We venture out

the medina is being repaired

refurbished

though much remains the same

simple

elegant

practical

I can’t resist a pair of new babouches

and mint tea with my old friend Nadia

her home

in the Palmeraie

her brother Sadek owns a nursery

with palm trees ready to go

and many other tropical plants

Some are less fortunate

though happy

in simple quarters

far from the splendor of pashas

Simple beauty is there for all

with the Atlas in the distance

It has been a treat to spend this time together

in a land we fell in love with many years ago

Down to the Monastery

Back at the monastery where a color camera awaits

as do chapatis, peanut butter, marmite and tea

overlooking my view

of our temple

and dancing palms

the inner court tree has grown, as has its partner

our offices remain simple

Shankar’s ashes will nurture new trees

that Drakpa

and Krishna

prepare

Hopefully they’ll soon grow large

and beautify the monastery

as does Somali, caring for our cows

under Tashi Tsering’s wing

A trip to the Trithog Khang, headquarters of the Geluk Order

to visit Shartse Khensur Rinpoche, its Executive Director

who welcomes Sheela Krishnaswami, nutritionist from Goa

tasked with improving our health

We must improve our food!

She leaves us for the next Geluk monastery

and we move on with new monks

we have a few

this is my new student

who will soon be debating in our choera below

All is well at Rato Dratsang