Wednesday, September 23 - A day in Dharamsala
11.09.09
Up early this morning via the brown husky who was trying to get the natives restless but found only frustration and solidarity in his efforts. A smile started the day and as we go on 7 days together I found that alone time is what I need today. I’m at the First Cup across from the nunnery watching the bustle of the day begin. It’s 6:45am and of course the First Cup guys are not ready yet for my order. A pup from the nunnery just came by and nuzzled my arms. He looks like he has a good life.
Today I need to wander a bit there are still many things I would like to see and today I want to go it alone for the most part. Meeting up with Carol, Becky and Louise for yoga at 8am then I would like to take a shower, a hot one would be nice. We just figured out that hot showers were an option. Go figure, everyday leads to many surprises. Twenty more minutes until the coffee will be ready, 
this would never fly in America. Personally, I prefer it.
I’ll be helping Becky with chair massage today while the others visit the Tibetan Childrens Village (TCV). ‘Others before self’ are the words to live by at TCV. The motto, one of many it seems. Others before self…meaning stop bitching when you don’t get your way, stop judging when people don’t pull their weight and stop expecting anything from your service efforts. This concept is one I need to adopt and incorporate into my own life and belief system. I preach self care but not others before self. America is not a service oriented society so in a way taking care of oneself is a necessity. But there must be a middle ground for Americans where they can pull their heads out of their wallets, their eyes away from their plasma televisions, hands off the wheel of their gas guzzler and their hearts out of consumerism. Unfortunately, so many people in our country will never be ale to do any of those things, they just don’t get it. They never will, I feel so sad for them right now.
Fast forward to 12pm - I’m sitting at Moonpeak Espresso waiting for my lemongrass tea and spinach pizza. As I hung out at First Cup this morning Carol and Becky came by - we decided the Llhamo Croissant would be a better option for coffee. It was. Americano with Tibetan toast and homemade jam. Headed to Kailash Yoga for a 2-hr Ashtanga class. The instructor was mellow, sweet and wasn’t intimidating. He’s been practicing yoga for 30 years. He looks very young so a good testament to the health benefits of yoga. The class was pretty challenging, at one point I thought ‘ok, we’ll be wrapping it up any minute’. Then I saw the clock, it was 8:58, oh my 62 minutes to go. Suck it up endurance girl. The second hour went quick and as I sit here now resting my body I feel simply lovely. 
Today was my first hot shower, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of guilt.
In an hour I will give chair massage then teach from 2-5. Louise and I have massages at 6:30. The guy next to me just lit up a camel - this is my only complaint, the allowance of smoking inside and outside.
My tea has arrived and is quite delicious. Pizza should be out in 20 minutes. I will sign off here and just relax until it arrives.
That is probably my favorite photo from your trip, ‘come to learn, go to serve’. Need to maybe blow that up and post on the wall in my office.