Don't Be Surprised

In Pharping, when you're walking up the street and you happen to see Khenpo's shabje, Dawa Norbu (who you accompanied on a 10 day pilgrimage in a tiny van across India the last time you were in Asia three years ago).

Don't be surprised, that Puri Sherpa in the kitchen is such a wonderful cook and everything you eat is fresh and delicious. But the night before you're taking a special trip with Keith to Kathmandu for a Vajrakilaya statue, chocolate croissants, counters, soap and dinner at 3rd Eye, you find yourself hanging off the edge of your bed in the middle of the night retching into a plastic bucket for the 15th time in five hours and it's 3Am and the 3 year retreat monks are blowing horns and drumming drums and binging bells.

Or when at 10 in the morning after sleeping a few hours and walking to town with Keith for some hot Tibetan bread, you happen upon Khenpo Namdrol holding an umbrella over his head, by 2 other lamas, sitting in fine chairs next to the edge of piles of trash, performing a fire puja--with Palmo sitting directly behind them looking regal as always and holding a lit pack of incense--and Khenpo looks questioningly at you cause he told you to catch the bus first thing in the morning right after breakfast so you could get a seat. And then when you walk back by after breakfast 20 minutes later, everyone is gone, as though it was a dream. Just a small smoking pile left.

Or at the ducks happily splashing in the gutters.

And maybe you hear a strange moaning coming through the window of your room and when you walk outside for lunch, there's a young Nepali boy, the strange sound coming from his mouth, carrying a placard that explains he's missing his tongue and can't talk and please give him some money.Nad later when the grumpy nun who won't say hi to me tries to shoo him away he opens his mouth and points to the stub.

Or as you eat your breakfast of masal omelette and chai, the little girl at Sikkim restaurant dances naked around you, puffing out and pointing to her belly.

Or at the goat family marching down the road.

Or at the giant pig scratching himself on the socor goal.

Or if Chatral Rinpoche, the most elusive Dzogpachenpo drives by you as you're joking with your husband walking down the street.

Don't be surprised!