Welcome to the Himalaya

Finally I made it up to a mountain top – many are to follow…

I proudly present: Einhorn 2008 in Como

forget about Schnitzel, Mozart und Fohrenburger. When I see this … thats when I get homesick!

My Ultimate Frisbee team this year in Como, Italy.

I am with you!

Bajaj Scooter 1985

Die Schüssel bekam ich gestern von einem Touristenpärchen in McLeod Ganj, Upper Dharamsala – wo neben den Tibetern viele Touristen herumtreiben. Mein Zivikollege Bernie arbeitet dort im Tibetan Welfare Office. Er berichtet natürlich auch über dieses Ereignis:

http://bernindien.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/zivimobil/

es gibt noch ein Artikel über einen Ausflug bei mir, in Lower Dharamsala:

http://bernindien.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/ein-sonntag-in-indien/

kurzer Kommentar zum Titel “ein Sonntag in Indien”:

Bernie wohnt in McLeod Ganj. Das Viertel befindet sich zwar in der gleichen Stadt, in der ich wohne (Dharamsala); in der Tat sind es aber zwei Welten: Ich bin im ländlichen Indien (Lower Dharamsala), wo noch viele uralte Traditionen gelebt werden, während sich sein zuhause in Upper Dharamsala befindet – Hauptsitz der tibetischen Exilregierung bzw. der Heiligkeit des Dalai Lama. Neben Theologen und Buddha-Anhänger kommen Touristen aus aller Welt, um im spirituellen Supermarkt shoppen zu gehen und für 1-2 Euro ihr Karma steigern. Manchmal vergisst man, dass man in Indien ist.

Ich genieße es während des anhaltenden Kulturschocks bei mir in Lower Dharamsala – oder den kontinuierlichen Versuchen die indische Kultur zu verstehen, rauf nach McLeod Ganj zu gehen um mit den Touristen abzuschalten.

my former Hindi teacher

Like many young beautiful women around here – Madhavi was married as well. We used to have some Hindi classes, not very succesfull but at least we tried. I stopped at some point and decided to listen very carefully what the people are saying instead of studying too much. Now I can partly understand the proper Hindi but in order to make some progress with this highly confusing language, I have to open the books again.

Hans and me at the wedding

Hans: a great musician, young in his mind but tremendously old considering all the roads he has travelled. He – as well – came in the 60’s to India and is still wandering around.

I came to this place almost completely alone without knowing what will come. I didnt understand one word what they were saying – not to mention what was happening. Then this man came, who has been particularly visiting this place throughout his time in India. First time in 69, now I was so privileged to spend some time with him – and listen to his music.

Today I cant imagine this place without the senior Hippies…

PS: its a very typical picture of me: I brought along a bottle with our filtered water after having fought serious diarrhea for three weeks