4
Location: Delhi to Dharamsala
Today was chaotic, fantastic and culturally shocking. This morning my group and I woke up early for a delicious breakfast and a friendly smile from our hosts. Soon afterward, we left for the airport to head to Dharamsala. The hustle and bustle of New Delhi weren’t too prevalent in Dharamsala; it was more spiritual and peaceful. We are currently staying in a monastery, and it’s very quiet, and the views are fantastic; breathtaking to say the least. We also went to the Dalai Lama’s Temple where you could feel the love vibrating from the walls. That was the highlight of my day! After this long day of travel, sightseeing, and walking up 300 steps from our monastery guesthouse to town, we had a lovely dinner at Rabsel’s restaurant. It was probably some of the most delicious Chinese food I’ve ever had, and I am so glad that tomorrow and the days that follow, we’ll be eating there for breakfast! After dinner, we discussed the plans for the couple weeks ahead to get a sense of what we are going to be doing. Starting tomorrow, we are going to meet up with our learning partners to teach them English and get to know more about what it’s like being a Tibetan in exile. Although the first couple of days of this trip required adjusting to new cultures and climates, I know it will all turn out perfectly as I transition into a routine and learn more about this beautiful country and the people who live here. Thank you, India for being so hectic yet intriguing. I’m so excited to see what happens tomorrow!