From Brahma to Buddha, Spring 2006

Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities.
-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Exploring a traditional village perched on the Tibetan Plateau. Sipping yak butter tea around a kitchen fire. Smelling jasmine and curries sold in the bazaar. Hearing horns and bells echoing over an ancient monastery’s walls. Watching colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind on top of a mountain pass. Throughout this semester program, participants will have the chance to live and study in the country that gave birth to two of the world's great religions--Hinduism and Buddhism; to travel amid some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet; and to emerge with a far greater understanding of one of the most influential countries helping to shape the 21st century. Though it is impossible to predict the most memorable experience a student will have in India, those who participate can expect to embark on a journey of discovery that may well last the rest of their lives.

Continue reading "India Semester Overview, February 12 - May 12, 2006" »

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From Brahma to Buddha--Spring Semester Itinerary*

Feb. 12-13: Fly from New York to Delhi.

Feb. 14-16: Orientation in Delhi. Visit major cultural sites. Attend evening sitar concert, visit schools, meet cultural leaders.

Feb. 17: Train to Agra. Visit Taj Mahal. Board night train to Varanasi.

Feb. 18- March 3: Varanasi. Visit cultural and religious sites in the ancient city and along the banks of the Ganges River. Cultural lecture series and language instruction. Begin Independent Study Projects and service learning opportunities. Celebrate Maha Shivarotri on Feb 26th. Day excursion to Sarnath to visit Deer Park, site of Buddha's first teaching on the Four Noble Truths.

Continue reading "Daily Itinerary" »

Posted by Global LAB at 02:56 AM | Permalink

For more program details and to receive an application for PVI's semester (offered every fall and spring) in India and the Himalayas, please send us an email at Info@pacificvillage.org, or call our New York office: 718.786.5426.

You can also download an application and program FAQ.

To see what some recent PVI semester participants have said about their experiences in India and the Himalayas, please visit our feedback page.

Posted by Global LAB at 02:58 AM | Permalink

Upon receiving your notice of acceptance into the semester program, you will need to apply for your Indian visa. Please complete the India Visa Application Form according to the instructions below.

You will need to send your application to the Consulate that handles your state of residence.

If you live in: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands, please send your package to:

Consulate General of India, New York
Consular Section
3 East, 64th Street
New York, NY 10021

Continue reading "Indian Visa Instructions" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:49 PM | Permalink

Below are some highly recommended books and movies that will help you better prepare for your experiences during the semester. If the time allows, borrow or purchase a few of these titles. Public libraries are likely to have several of these as well.

History

John Avedon, In Exile From the Land of Snows, NY: A Knopf, 1984. This excellent book and should almost be required reading! It offers a clear and concise background on Tibetan culture, and details the events surrounding the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese.

Mahatma Gandhi , Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Beacon Press, 1993.

Mahatma Gandhi, (Louis Fischer, ed.) The Essential Gandhi, Vintage, 1962.

Continue reading "Suggested Reading and Viewing" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:47 PM | Permalink

Please carefully review the packing list below, bearing in mind that lugging an unnecessarily heavy pack around for the entire time we are in Asia will be extremely tiresome. Most people tend to overpack, so try to focus on leaving behind as many non-essential items as possible. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light, and lighter still…you definitely will not regret it! That said, you will not want to leave out any of the cold weather clothing/gear suggestions--our trek in the Himalayas will require appropriate protection against cold weather.

BAGS:
Internal Frame Backpack – Your main “suitcase” should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible. If you will be getting a new backpack, be sure to spend time with a knowledgeable salesperson to make sure of a good fit. REI has a good overview of how to make sure your backpack offers a good fit.

Continue reading "Semester Packing List" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Michelle at the Amber Fort, near Jaipur, India (Photo credit: Misha Clasby)

Dear Spring Semester Students,

Namaste, Tashi Delek, and Jullay-

I have spent the fall semester with PVI in north India (Sept-Dec 2005) and have had so many amazing experiences that will be coming your way soon! In the spring, I am looking forward to spending the first three weeks of the program with you. I will help with program orientation to life in India which will begin at the airport and continue in Delhi and beyond as you explore and learn in the diversity of northern India. I am eager to help support you in your journey and help you understand the cultures we will be immersed in together.

Continue reading "Greetings from Michelle, Co-Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:47 AM | Permalink

Hello Everyone!

Greetings from Brattleboro, Vermont! I hope that this letter finds you happy, healthy and brimming with excitement for our rapidly approaching adventure together! I write you from the comforts of a local coffee shop on a rainy November day--attempting to catch up with friends and family, mentors, advisors and life in the US for a brief spell while at the same time preparing for our time together this spring. I am sure life finds you in a similar place--wishing to stay in the moment while beginning to notice your thoughts drifting towards India and the unknown ahead.

Continue reading "Hello from Erin, Co-Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:20 PM | Permalink

Dear Everyone,

Namaskar from Madison, WI.

I have been putting to bed the final details for what will likely be a two-year stint in India. It will begin with a wedding in Chennai, honeymoon in Kerala and then a jaunt up to Delhi to meet all of you. Ever since I spent a year with SIT on programs in Jaipur and Dharamsala, I dreamed of one day leading my own program, and now with the help of Michelle, Erin, Sarah, Cam, Brad, John, Carey and everyone else at PVI I will finally have a chance to do it.

I have been back and forth between the United States and India since 1998, and in that time I have worn a lot of different hats, from student to tourist, to journalist and anthropologist. I received my Masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004 and have since completed all the coursework necessary for the Ph.D. If things go according to plan, I will begin fieldwork for my dissertation on mass media in India some time in the next couple years as well as continuing to work as a freelance writer for a variety of American magazines and newspapers.

Continue reading "Hello from Scott, Program Co-Director" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:25 PM | Permalink

Jullay from Ladakh!

I want to use this brief introduction to extend a warm welcome from such a unique part of India! I have been living in Ladakh since July and I am thoroughly excited to be able to share this amazing experience with you. Although I will only be joining you for the last third of your program, the world of opportunities and adventures that Ladakh offers will provide us with plenty of time to get well acquainted!

Ladakh, originally known as La Dags or "Land of Passes," is an isolated mountain environment that offers a distinct combination of culture and geography. Be aware that it is not your "typical" India with the smells, the colors, the overcrowding, the pollution – Ladakh is quite different indeed. But that is exactly what makes it such an indispensable part of your semester program! Your time here will expose you to the vast cultural variations that are present in India, sometimes region-to-region, sometimes village-to-village.

Continue reading "Hi from Cam, Co-Director (Ladakh)" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:35 PM | Permalink

Jullay Jullay!

By the time I meet you all, you'll have spent your first two months exploring the North of India with Erin—you'll be seasoned Indian travelers, I'm sure! Hopefully you will be ready to settle down into the remote, peaceful, and quite chilly Ladakhi mountain lifestyle with Namgial, Cam, and me!

Since my first trip to India in 2003, it seems each return visit is just a little bit longer, and I find it that much more difficult to leave when the time comes. Originally, I'm from Longmeadow, Massachusettes, a town geographically and culturally thousands of miles away! Though this distance is great, I've found a unique familiarity in Ladakh which continues to draw me back.

Continue reading "Hello from Sarah, Co-Director (Ladakh)" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:59 PM | Permalink

Julay!

My name is Rinchen Namgial. I come from Domkar village, which is 118 km west of Leh, Ladakh. I grew up in that village, and received my high school education there. Afterwards I moved to Jammu for higher secondary school and college. I graduated in history, geography, economics and English. Later I went to Jammu University where I studied Buddhist philosophy.

To support my studies I worked as a freelance guide for the local travel agencies in Ladakh. This started my interest in working with people from different countries to help them understand Ladakhi culture.

Continue reading "Greetings from Namgial, Ladakh On-site Coordinator" »

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My 6 year-old self's proclamation that "I want to be an anthropologist when I grow up" was met with no shortage of raised eyebrows from skeptical adults. Since then, I have continued with a life of passionate fascination with world cultures. I just graduated from a rural Indiana high school and am taking a gap year to travel beyond the cornfields before attending Indiana University next fall to study International Studies or Cultural Anthropology.

Continue reading "Greetings from Melissa" »

Posted by Global LAB at 05:04 PM | Permalink

Hey,

I'm Liz Ganley-Roper from Middlebury, Vermont. I am a senior in high school and will be graduating a semester early in January. Since I was two years old, I have been traveling abroad. This past spring I spent five months traveling through Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, which inspired me to go abroad this spring to India. Some of my interests include snowboarding, dancing, writing, music, soccer, and of course, traveling.

I can't wait to hear more about you guys and eventually meet you all!

Liz

Posted by Global LAB at 09:08 PM | Permalink

My parents named me Drew Knight Weller just before my birth on April 8th 1986. That makes me 19 years old putting me in my second year of college at New York University. This also means I'll be turning 20 during our homestays in Ladakh. Originally I am from Bordentown, the crimp squeezing the middle of New Jersey into the silhouette profile of an upside down rabbit (or that is what my elementary school teachers told us, if you look at a map the peninsula of Cape May is a big bunny ear). So now I am studying interdisciplinary overlapping and cross-curricular collaboration at the Gallatin School of Individualized study in NYU.

Continue reading "Hi from Knight" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:34 PM | Permalink

Hey, my name is Lauren Brown. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Washington D.C., in a little town called Chevy Chase. I’m a freshman at Reed College in Portland, Oregon.

I love to read books on philosophy, psychology, religion, and science. These fields of study are most intellectually stimulating to me because they seem pertinent to understanding my place here, and how things I see interact. I’m likely to major in one of these areas. I also love nature. Oregon is full of natural wonders and I go hiking/camping whenever I get the chance.

Continue reading "Greetings from Lauren" »

Posted by Global LAB at 08:03 AM | Permalink

Hi,

My name is Hannah Ginder. I am thrilled to be joining PVI for the India Semester this spring!

My curiosity and open-mindedness are what brought me to this program. Currently I am a sophomore majoring in psychology at Lebanon Valley College. Some of my hobbies and interests include painting, sewing, photography, reading, tennis, and running.

--Hannah

Posted by Global LAB at 08:45 AM | Permalink

Hi,

My name is Chris Smothers. I was born in Connecticut in the spring of '88. Now I live in Monkton, Maryland (up north, near PA). I play tennis and rock climb. I also enjoy snowboarding and music and any mix of the two, however I'm rarely able to devote an adequate amount of time to either.

Two years ago I left St. Paul's School (not the real St. Paul's, a poseur) and became home schooled. Currently I'm finishing some courses at Johns Hopkins and contemplating the freedom I'll have over the next year now that I have enough credits to graduate high school. I guess it's also pertinent to mention that I follow a yogic path derived from the eight fold path of Patanjali, and learning, first hand, about its place of origin, is one of the many reasons I want to go on this trip. Can't wait to meet you all.

Hasta by,

Chris

Posted by Global LAB at 05:09 PM | Permalink

Hello everyone!

My name is Ashley Conroy and I am a junior at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. I’ve always been fascinated by the cultures of Asia, but my interest in India flourished soon after I began the practice of yoga a couple of years ago. I just declared my minor in Religious Studies and am planning to devote my area of focus to the Eastern religions when I return. While I’ve learned many things about the philosophies and traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism, I feel as though I’m only able to scratch the surface of these wonderful religions in the class room. This is one of the main reasons why I want to go to India.

In general, though, I love the feeling of adventure and new discovery when traveling abroad, and I can’t wait to meet you all so we can experience the amazing cultures of India together!

-Ashley

Posted by Global LAB at 05:52 PM | Permalink

Hi! My name is Katie Finnigan and I am a junior at Ithaca College in the small town of Ithaca, New York. I am a junior Culture and Communications major and a philosophy minor there and I also write for my college magazine. I live in a suite with my four roommates who are also my very good friends. I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio where I live with my mom, dad, younger sister, brother, and two dogs. I enjoy almost all types of music but my favorite is indie and folk. I also love movies and I like to read. I have profiles on both facebook and myspace so feel free to look me up. I look forward to meeting and traveling with everyone!

Katie

Posted by Global LAB at 06:51 PM | Permalink

We will be meeting with either Palden Gyatso or Ama Adhe in Dharamsala to hear the first hand account of life as political prisoners in Tibet over 2-3 decades. Students if at all possible should try to get and read these titles in preparation:

The Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk (alt. title in England Fire in the Snow) by Palden Gyatso

The Voice that Remembers by Ama Adhe (available from Wisdom publications if not in book stores)

Also, Lonely Planet India is a great over-all guide and has lots of useful background info as well.

Michelle

Posted by Global LAB at 09:41 PM | Permalink

Hi!

My name is Katie Finnigan and I am a junior at Ithaca College in the small town of Ithaca, New York. I am a junior Culture and Communications major and a philosophy minor there and I also write for my college magazine. I live in a suite with my four roommates who are also my very good friends. I am originally from Cincinatti, Ohio where I live with my mom, dad, younger sister, brother and two dogs. I enjoy almost all types of music but my favorite is indie and folk. I also love movies annd I like to read. I have profiles on both facebook and myspace so feel free to look me up. I look forward to meeting and traveling with everyone!

Katie

Posted by Global LAB at 05:29 PM | Permalink

Hey everyone,

My name is Hannah Gordon (my apologies to the other Hannah). I am 18 years old, and I'm currently taking a year off before college. I'm from Easton, PA (right next to the border of NJ and about an hour west of NYC), but I'll be going to Chicago next year to study at the University thereof--you can find me on facebook. I have an endless list of interests, which includes music, math, science, languages, travel, reading, running, soccer, rock-climbing, biking, religion, and lots of other things.

Continue reading "Hello from Hannah Gordon" »

Posted by Global LAB at 01:36 PM | Permalink

Today's NY Times Magazine includes a story on Tibet's political situation and the role of Tibetans living in Dharamsala, India, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan-Government-in-Exile.

The spring 2006 semester group will be based in Dharamsala during the second of half of next March and will have plenty of opportunities to learn firsthand about many of the issues raised in the article:

"The Restless Children of the Dalai Lama"

Posted by Global LAB at 05:08 PM | Permalink

Several of you have asked how much spending money you should bring on the program to cover personal items, gifts, shopping, etc. This depends largely on your own spending habits—some PVI participants spend as much as $1,000 during a semester in India, while others barely spend $100. A general guideline would be to consider bringing around $500. Your program directors will be calling you soon to check in and answer any final questions you may have and will be glad to discuss this issue in more detail with you.

Happy New Year!

John

Posted by Global LAB at 07:10 AM | Permalink

Hi Everyone,

Hope this finds you well and enjoying the first days of 2006. Mix of sleet, rain, and snow at the moment here in NYC. Whereas your fellow spring semester student Melissa Dittmann is enjoying balmy weather in South India, with temperatures averaging in the low 80's. Melissa has been keeping a wonderful blog, sharing her experiences so far at the Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre in Aranmula Village.

To learn more about what Melissa has been up to, visit her online.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 05:03 PM | Permalink

Today's NY Times story on the way traditional and contemporary India are at odds regarding romance before marriage is well worth reading.

Posted by Global LAB at 08:29 AM | Permalink

Hello Students-

I returned from PVI’s fall program in mid-December and have some recommendations that I wanted to pass on to you before we depart together for India on February 12.

These are fairly simple things to do or keep in mind that can really help to make your time in India more enjoyable and make you a more culturally sensitive traveler.

1) Packing hints: Culturally appropriate clothing. What does this mean? When you are packing for this program it is really important that you bring clothes that will be both comfortable and suitable to the locations we are going to.

Continue reading "Pre-Departure Advice from Michelle" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:03 PM | Permalink

Dear Fellow Traveler:

Namaste, Tashi Delek and Jule!

Before pujas or prayer offering ceremonies in the Hindu or Buddhist traditions, practitioners often make several preparations. Hindus create sankalpas, a kind of statement of intent which gives worshippers a moment to meditate upon why they are actually doing the puja. Tibetans perform prostrations in front of the central deity followed by a ritual purification of their body, speech and mind with saffron water and incense. These preliminary steps in both traditions allow devotees to take pause and focus upon the reasons behind their actions.

The experience you are about to embark upon is also a kind of ceremony--a ceremony of discovery and learning. And so, I share with you my preliminary thoughts, or sankalpa, with the hope of seeing how all of our preparations and actions while on the program will be significant during the journey together in India.

Continue reading "Greetings from Brad Choyt" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:36 PM | Permalink

Hi everyone,

One month from today most of you will meet each other for the first time at JFK's Air India counter area to begin your spring semester in India. All of us at PVI are eager to help make this experience a truly unforgettable journey of learning and discovery. I'm writing now to go over a few preparatory matters and to invite you to get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your upcoming adventure.

Top priority:

1. Have you received your India visa? If not, you need to take care of this right away. Detailed instructions for doing this are available on your program's Village Voices blog.

2. We need a photocopy of your passport's signature/photo page. If you've not already done so, please send a copy to us at PVI's NYC address: 4818 43rd St., #4C, Woodside, NY, 11377

Continue reading "1 Month and counting..." »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:29 PM | Permalink

Greetings from Long Island,

I am a 24 year old Audio/Visual fanatic with a passion for traveling, making documentaries, and live music. I am joining the semester as both a participant and a filmmaker and look forward to working with everyone to create a video documenting some of our adventures and discoveries over the spring (this project will be my ISP). Hopefully the film will be something we'll all enjoy having as a visual record of the experience. And if anyone is interested in learning about documentary film making I'll be happy to share what I know during the semester.

Continue reading "Hello from Frank Siringo" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:33 AM | Permalink

To introduce myself, my name is Caitlin, I am 18 and I live in Seattle. I graduated form a small high school and I will be a freshman at Mount Holyoke in the fall which is a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts. This past fall semester I went on an expedition in the Rockies with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). I like most outdoor activities, my favorites include snowboarding, camping, backpacking, rowing (crew), and rock climbing. I love music, especially world music. I’m interested in cultural and religious studies as well as politics. I also enjoy reading; some of my favorite books include Man's Search for Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, anything by David Sedaris, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, and Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

--Caitlin

Posted by Global LAB at 07:40 AM | Permalink

Hi everyone,

My name is Alyssa Crockett. After graduating from Wheelock College (Boston, MA) with a BA in Social Work, I’ve spent my entire adult life working with children and families. I currently live in Dharmasala, India where I work with the children of Tibetan refugees. I tutor children and work actively in the Tibetan school system. In 2001 I started a sponsorship program in Dharmasala for the children of Tibetan refugees. To date the program has received full sponsorships for all of its children in need. I’ve also been successful raising funds for school equipment and repairs.

Continue reading "Hi from Alyssa (Onsite Coordinator, Dharamsala)" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:14 AM | Permalink

Hi,

My name is Caroline Vik and I'm from Greenwich, Connecticut. I'm taking a year off before going to Harvard next year and going to India is what I'm doing with my spring. I spent the 1st 2 months of my year in France where I lived for my freshman and sophomore years. Then I worked in Boston for 2 months and am not in Florida playing golf as I will be playing at Harvard next year.

I'm really excited for India even though I have very little idea of what it’ll be like but for some reason I’ve always wanted to go there. But I’ll keep this on the shorter side since I’ll be seeing you all so soon. Looking forward to it, I'm sure it'll be unforgettable.

--Vikster

Posted by Global LAB at 06:56 PM | Permalink

Hello Everyone!

As my thoughts begin to turn towards packing and our exciting adventures to come, I thought I would write you with my own list of suggestions to take a look through!

We each have our own style in terms of traveling, and mine definitely reflects one that strives for minimalism, a light pack on my back and not a lot of extra ‘stuff’ to lug around. This may resonate with some of you from past experience and it may not. But, even if you don’t mind carrying your weight, I do recommend packing as light as possible for India! You will want to buy a shirt or two during the course of the program to wear while there, you will be carrying your pack on your own for extended periods of time, you will be heaving your bag on top of buses and carrying it up flights of stairs, and you won’t feel as much like a ‘tourist’ with a smaller load. I promise that you will be a happy traveler leaving the States with the philosophy ‘less is more.’

Continue reading "Erin: 18 Days Until Departure" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:03 AM | Permalink

Namastey,

My full name is Sanghamitra Sarkar and I will be helping to arrange your projects in Varanasi. I am originally from the northeastern part of India i.e. Assam. My mother tongue is Bengali. I have done my studies from Allahabad (a city which is 127 k.m. from Varanasi), and Madhaya Pradesh. I have done two masters, one in Modern History and the other in Tourism Management.

For the last 5 years I am staying in Varanasi and working with the western scholars from all over Europe and America. They were all research scholars. I used to help them in the field with translation and transcribing the tape records and arrange interviews for the students. In the last few years I worked with almost 20 scholars who were working on different projects.

Continue reading "Greetings from Sanghamitra (On-site Coordinator, Varanasi)" »

Posted by Global LAB at 05:26 PM | Permalink

Hello Everyone-

It has been great to get to talk to many of you recently! It sounds like most of you have preparations well under way for our rapidly approaching departure.

Here are a few reminders we just want to be sure everyone follows through on:

1) If you haven't sent in a copy of your passport picture page and Indian visa to PVI's NYC office- please do so ASAP:

Pacific Village Institute
4818 43rd Street, Ste 4C
Woodside, NY 11377

2) If you haven't sent a copy of your medical form to PVI (including updates on medicines prescribed for malaria or other travel-related meds)- please do so ASAP, also to the NYC address.

Continue reading "Michelle: Semester Prep" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:16 AM | Permalink

If you've not already done so, please carefully review and record this information and bear in mind that if you are planning to drive to JFK on February 12 the traffic in Queens is usually a delightful mix of gridlock, road construction, and potholes, so give yourself more time than you think you need to get to the airport on time (by 4pm).

Departure to India

Sunday - 12 February 2006

Flight #: AI0112 Airline: Air India
Depart: 07:15 PM Airport: New York John F. Kennedy Int'l Arpt
Terminal 4 New York, NY USA

Arrive: 10:30 PM, 13 February 2006, Airport: Delhi Indira Gandhi Int'l Arpt
Terminal 3, Delhi India

Continue reading "International Flight Details" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:35 AM | Permalink

Hello all,

Back in October, I had the privilege of being introduced to Khen Rinpoche Geshe Kachen Lobzang Tsetan, head of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in southern India, and founder of the Siddhartha School Project in Stok, Ladakh, his home community. During our program, we will be getting to know the Siddhartha School, the students and teachers that make it happen, and if we are lucky, Geshe Tsetan himself. Check out the school's website.

Geshe Tsetan brought to my attention that the Siddhartha School is in need of basic supplies and materials, such as books and games, for its students to utilize. He asked if I could pass on the message to our group that any books and games brought over would be greatly appreciated. (More specifically, children’s books with pictures are probably ideal! Any books with photos, simple English, or that would be interesting to children of the school and the people of the community would be greatly appreciated and definitely utilized!).

Continue reading "Erin: Siddhartha School" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:31 AM | Permalink

If you would like to send small packages or letters to India, the first address where we will be able to receive items is:

Root Institute for Wisdom Learning
Student's Name, Pacific Village Institute
Bodhgaya
Gaya District
Bihar, 824 231
INDIA

Mail can be delivered to us at this address from March 6 through March 10 or 11. Allow AT LEAST two weeks for your mail to get from the States to India. (Even if you mail it super-priority express, it still is likely to take two weeks! ) :) So, if you want to send something.... do so early. (Students love getting small packages from home, so please consider putting a few things together and sending them over... boxes with homemade cookies were a big hit last semester!)

Michelle

Posted by Global LAB at 12:33 PM | Permalink

Hi Everyone-

I have another reminder for you all... have you had a chance to put together
the picture/collage and make a couple color copies to bring along? I have
been working on mine and am excited to get to see what you all come up with
to introduce yourselves on paper visually and bring along images of home
that are important to you...

See you all soon!
Michelle

Posted by Global LAB at 02:08 PM | Permalink

Hi there,

I just wanted to let you guys know what books I am bringing. Maybe we can get a list going so that there aren't unnecessary duplicates.

Michele Bos-Lun told me she will be bringing the Lonely Planet India Guide, Stolen Harvest (by Vandana Shiva) as well as The Best Women's Travel Writing 2005.

She also said if people want recommendations of certain kinds of books she'd be happy to suggest titles if they'd like that... they just need to email her (michelle.boslun@mail.sit.edu) (or call 802 4601063).

Continue reading "Knight: Books I'm Bringing" »

Posted by Global LAB at 02:12 PM | Permalink

Please read through the below list of activities you will be able to choose from while in Dharamsala. There will be plenty of time to discuss these, and many other possibilities, in depth with your program leaders, but it would be good for you to start thinking about which of these options might be of most interest:

Dharmasala ISP Options

Learn various styles of cooking: North Indian, South Indian, and/or Tibetan

Study and practice a variety of therapeutic massage styles: Tibetan, Traditional, Ayurevedic

Continue reading "Alyssa: Independent Study Projects & Service Possibilities in Dharamsala" »

Posted by Global LAB at 02:58 PM | Permalink

Hi Everyone-

While some of us are thinking about a blizzard (which fortunately looks like it won't affect our departure on Sunday) I just wanted to let you know that a friend of mine just wrote from New Delhi and told me it was 86 degrees there yesterday! So, if you are in a cold place now just hang in there a couple more days and we'll be enjoying a whole new climate!

See you soon!
Michelle

Posted by Global LAB at 12:15 AM | Permalink

Hello Everybody-

Some of you may be aware that there is a blizzard warning for areas of the
East Coast including New York City for this weekend. After looking into this
situation our understanding is that the heavy snow fall will be finished
sometime Saturday night. There may be light snow on Sunday, but nothing
significant is expected. So, if you are driving to JFK you may want to allow
some extra time because the roads may still be slippery, but the conditions
on Sunday should not be such that they will impact our Air India departure
Sunday evening.

I look forward to meeting you all soon! Erin and I have been together the
past couple days and are eager to be joined by the rest of the group...

Safe travels... see you at 4pm at the Air India desk at JFK...

Michelle
PS- If there is a problem with your arrival and you will in anyway be
delayed the best way to get a message to us would be to contact John on his
cell phone: 347.217.5625

-----Original Message-----

Posted by Global LAB at 12:26 AM | Permalink

Ozzie says it is still snowing in Queens

PVI's NYC based experiential meteorologist reports that as of 9:05am the snowfall continues, with 8 delicious inches accumulated.

Human forecasters are saying snow will continue to fall steadily through 11am. Everyone please be very careful on the roads and keep us posted of your whereabouts as we get through this storm. I'll have my phone on and with me all day: 347.217.5625. If necessary, we will put everyone up tonight in NYC and re-book our departure for tomorrow, but we're optimistic the group will fly this evening.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 09:05 AM | Permalink

As of 9:50am, Air India has no plans to cancel or delay this evening's flight out of JFK. We'll post any updates here should this change.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 09:52 AM | Permalink

Hi Everyone,

We've just accepted two last second applicants to join the semester program. Meet Flat Stanley with brown hair and Flat Stanley with blond hair. They are representing two kindergarten classes at the Small Steps Nurturing Center in Houston. SSNC students will be following their Flat Stanley's during the semester and learning about life in Asia as the group shares photos and stories from India.

More about the Flat Stanley Project.

Posted by Global LAB at 11:55 AM | Permalink

As of 12:10pm, Air India does not plan to cancel this evening's flight out of JFK, however, they do anticipate it will be delayed by 1-2 hours.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 12:11 PM | Permalink

The NY Times says of today's blizzard, "The biggest winter storm in New York City history crippled transportation and commerce and knocked out power." But a little snow and wind didn't stop our intrepid young travelers and their families from getting to JFK and taking off for India, albeit a few hours later than scheduled.

Students, leaders, and the Flat Stanley twins just before heading through airport security--all hoping that Ashley's flight from Atlanta will arrive in time to join the group flight to Delhi.

With no time left before the boarding gate closed, Ashley arrived 2 terminals away and had to run through the snow because the AirTrain monorail was not running. Thanks to Rita Chopra, Air India agent extraordinaire who convinced the crew to hold the flight a few more minutes, she managed to get on the plane with everyone else.

Posted by Global LAB at 11:07 PM | Permalink

We sat inside the plane at JFK Airport for many hours before the blizzard conditions calmed down enough so we could take off and begin the first let of our journey, to London.

Hannah Gordon and the Flat Stanley twins met a Sikh gentleman.

Posted by Global LAB at 11:11 PM | Permalink

We arrived in Delhi this morning and got out of the airport by about 10:30 am. We are all here and well, but Ashley's bag took the scenic route and will hopefully be joining us soon.

The students are excited to be here and we are too...

Michelle and Erin

Posted by Global LAB at 08:11 AM | Permalink

I awake before three. I am not surprised by the time as I went to sleep at seven, after noticing that I was drifting off between words in my book. A spider walks gently across my forehead, lingering on my ear. I am not startled. I remember that the spider is nothing more than the canvas curtain bristling in the window above my bed. After a brief meditation I try to go back to sleep, but my efforts are not met with success and I step outside, book in hand. It is now around five and still dark. I search for a comfortable ledge and find one separating the grass courtyard behind the hotel from a stone courtyard adjacent to the kitchen. I place my Gita upon the ledge and scurry up after it.

Continue reading "Chris: Dawn Reading" »

Posted by Global LAB at 08:49 AM | Permalink

Katie and Lauren pose with a family in the Hindu queen's courtyard at the ancient city Fatehpur Sikri

Hi Everyone-

We are closing in on our first 24 hours in India and so far all is going well. The students enjoyed the ride from the airport ("so many cows/goats/colorful clothes," etc)....one student even told me it was worth the marathon travel from NYC just to experience that first taxi ride.

It turned out that while our airplane left the JFK gate at not long after 11pm we sat on the runway for hours and did not take off until 4:20 am! Thankfully they fed us on the ground and many people used this time to catch some zzz's.

Yesterday we checked into the YWCA, had some orientation talks on the grass outside and then went for tri-wheeled auto-rickshaw rides to Connaught place for a meal and some Delhi exploration on foot. The group is coming together well.

Continue reading "Delhi Days" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:39 PM | Permalink

Caitlin and Hannah Ginder at India Gate

Erin and Michelle emailed just prior to jumping on the train: the group's been busy, with morning discussions on Islam and Jainism before visiting Old Delhi, the Jama Masjid, a Jain temple, the National Gallery of Art, and attending a traditional Indian dance concert and performance.

"Delhi Belly" has been rumbling through a few tummies, but all seem to be on the mend and in high spirits as they head South to Agra and the Taj Mahal.

John

Posted by Global LAB at 12:48 PM | Permalink

Namaste,

After spending one of my first days in India hugging a toilet or a bucket, it was great to join back up with the group and experiance Delhi outside of the hostel.

2/17/06
Today we went to a school for blind Indian children. It was amazing how much they can learn withough sight and such little recourses. They were all in great spirit too!

Continue reading "Caitlin: 'Delhi Belly' and Beyond" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:36 AM | Permalink

Hannah Ginder and Caitlin in a Delhi rickshaw

We had quite a while to wait before getting on the overnight train to Varanasi, so we set up a small camp with all of our large bags in the center and the 15 of us standing guard around them. We drew the biggest, most unselfconscious crowd of starers I have ever been stared at by in my life. To be stared at by over 100 people simply because of the color of your skin is one of the strangest, most awkward things I've ever felt. It was a very humbling experience.

A good number of them just wanted us to give them some money, but some were absolutely determined to sell us any number of bizarre things--so determined that phrases like "I actually don't have any money with me right now" wouldn't discourage them in the least.

Continue reading "From Hannah & Hannah" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:01 AM | Permalink

Fire.
The eldest son of the deceased lights the funeral pyre.
Earth.
The ashes from the cremating corpse fall to the ground.
Air.
Smoke circles up towards the heavens.
Water.

Whatever remains unburnt is resurrected from the pile of ashes at the end of the cremation and is cast into the River Ganges. The ashes are collected and also scattered across the sacred waters.

Thus does human flesh relinquished to death return to the four elements. Thus is, according to the hundreds of Hindus that flock to Varanasi daily for the funerals and cremations of their family members, the soul of the deceased guaranteed release from the cycle of rebirth.

Continue reading "Melissa: The Burning Ghats of Varanasi" »

Posted by Global LAB at 05:16 PM | Permalink

After going through security at the Taj Mahal we were told we could only bring in cameras and wallets. I brought my camera, wallet and the two Stanleys and was told they were not allowed and had to go to the security room. This is a picture of the "detention" space where they had to stay with no view of the Taj!

Everyone else got to see the gorgeous Taj Mahal

Hello Everyone-

We are now beginning our second week together in India, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on our first week together.

Our time in New and Old Delhi was busy but interesting. We visited a couple of marketplaces, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), the New Delhi Sikh Gurdwara, the Jain temple and bird hospital of Old Delhi, school for Blind Children in Gurgaon (a Delhi suburb), and in small groups a variety of other places as well.

Continue reading "Update from Michelle" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:48 AM | Permalink

~"Little People" and Children~

Is it not true that these "little people"
whose prescience precedes their inhibitions
might just be children too.

~the story behind the embarrassingly brief poem~

The age of innocence and fantasy has decreased to near nonexistence for many children. I recently formed an unexpected attachment to one such, "little person," and I am frustrated with the rational I used to justify my actions during the brief time we knew one another.

It began as it always does with these poor souls forced to forgo their childhoods, "please sir, some moneys."

Continue reading "Chris: 2/16/2006" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:28 PM | Permalink

~"Little People" and Children~

Is it not true that these "little people"
whose prescience precedes their inhibitions
might just be children too.

~the story behind the embarrassingly brief poem~

The age of innocence and fantasy has decreased to near nonexistence for many children. I recently formed an unexpected attachment to one such, "little person," and I am frustrated with the rational I used to justify my actions during the brief time we knew one another.

It began as it always does with these poor souls forced to forgo their childhoods, "please sir, some moneys."

Continue reading "Chris: 2/16/2006" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:28 PM | Permalink

Photo: Hannah Ginder

Posted by Global LAB at 10:46 PM | Permalink

After going through security at the Taj Mahalwe were told we could only bring in cameras and wallets. I brought my camera, wallet and the two Stanleys and was told they were not allowed and had to go to the security room. This is a picture of the "detention" space where they had to stay with no view of the Taj!

Posted by Global LAB at 11:46 PM | Permalink

Namaste!

It's not easy to get something done in India. Yesterday, both Hannahs, Melissa, Knight, Chris and I set out towards the market in the early afternoon to pick up some sweets for our homestay families. But as we were walking down the street we stopped to look at a painted elephant and began talking to an eleven year old girl standing nearby. After a minute or two the girl offered to show us a nearby temple. We followed her and she led us to two tiny temples with giant statues of Hindu gods that we never would have known existed otherwise.

Then she invited us to her house and we followed her to through a fabric curtain hanging over a low doorway into a tiny one room shanty that was only big enough for a bed and a narrow place to stand by the door. We all sat on the bed and they served us tea and food from their 'kitchen' outside. We talked to them for a long time and they told us that the father was a bicycle rickshaw driver and that it was very hard work. That year the mother had turned 30 and it was their 15 year anniversary. They had 3 children, one boy and two girls. The boy went to school but the girls did not. They also told us that the son had epilepsy and had been on medication for 5 years. They said it was very hard and that they often had to choose between food and medication. It was unbelievable that they were so poor but yet so welcoming and generous with what they had.

Continue reading "Katie: Errands in Varanasi" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:47 AM | Permalink

One of our assignments was to take half an hour or so by ourselves and observe someone or something during that time and either write or draw about them. I decided to go to one of the ghats along the Ganges and watched a man praying by the river. Often I was distracted by people staring at me or asking me questions or trying to read my journal entry. But anyways here is what I saw:

He rocks gently back and forth, his legs curled tightly beneath him. He slips his wrinkled palm in the pocket of his white linen shirt and pulls out a folded piece of newspaper. A skinny black dog stands next to him, waiting expectantly for a treat. He opens the square of paper and places something in his left palm. He rubs his right thumb methodically along the object, still slightly swaying. He watches a boat motor up stream and begins to tap his walking stick against the concrete.

Continue reading "Liz: Local Observations" »

Posted by Global LAB at 08:46 AM | Permalink

We are settling in well to life in Varanasi. Yesterday all students moved into homestays except for one. Katie was all set to move into her homestay this afternoon but due to the tummy bug catching up with her in an unpleasant
way last night she may delay her homestay move by another day.

All others appear to be really enjoying their families. While the arrangement
is for students to be fed supper and breakfast in the homes, a number returned for lunch as well as their families were eager to have them as much as possible. Homestay hosts range from doctors and pharmacists, to owners of phone-stands, to seamstresses and farming/landlords.

Every home has at least one English speaking family member although the levels of fluency vary a lot.

Last night Knight and Melissa had the opportunity to go to a local wedding
celebration with plenty of food, dancing and fun with their families.

Continue reading "Michelle: Group Update" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:03 AM | Permalink

Hello there!

It is Saturday afternoon here in Banaras and all is well! This past week has been filled with new sights, smells, words, emotions, friendships and experiences here in this amazing place we are for the moment calling 'home.'

Students are now settled into life with their host families, ISP's are underway and the learning curve for all of us here in this new and un-definable place has been enormous. -I am so proud of everyone. With what open-arms the group has embraced the experience thus far!

Prior to a morning discussion yesterday (facilitated by an inspirational Dalit activist here in Banaras), we compiled a list of "Thoughts thus far in regards to our homestay experiences." Here it is! Enjoy!

Erin

Comments after the first two days of our homestay (2/24):

" 'Think of this home as your home, my family as your family,' my host mom told me within minutes of first arriving. Initially, I took this to be probably one of those statements said to welcome a guest but not necessarily sincere. But, I was pleasantly suprised to see how in the course of my first day with this family- after following along as my host sister did her hour-long puja (which at one point involved some interestingly intimate rituals involving a Shiva lingam, a statue symbolizing Lord Shiva's masculinity), learning how to cook some tasty Indian dishes, being decked-out in a sari to accompany my family to a wild wedding party, and just sitting around talking in a meld of Hindi and English, -I was genuinely welcomed as one of them." - Melissa

Continue reading "Homestays" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:26 PM | Permalink

My host family had invited me for Siva Rudava Puja. I happily agreed to attend and I feel extremely grateful to be able to attend such an amazing ritual. I woke up at 4:00 am and had some chai with my host Father, Mother, and Sister. We headed upstairs from their house and met with my host Father's older brother, wife and two daughters. This is an annual ritual and is in honor of the marriage of Śiva and Parvati. This day also commemorates the 18th anniversary of the marriage of my host mother and father.

Continue reading "Frank: Marriage Rituals" »

Posted by Global LAB at 08:06 AM | Permalink

During our first tabla lesson a few days ago, or "yesterday," as one would say in Indian time, I asked our instructor if I should remove my watch, since I noticed it would probably interfere with the placement of my wrist on the drum. Being Indian, he politely requested in a jocular manner that I "take it off and throw it outside!" Being gullible, this is precisely what I did. Right away, this gesture earned me a deep respect from our instructor; I had symbolically embraced the concept of Indian time. It's always nice when people mistake my stupidity for wisedom.

I had until then grown accustomed enough to wearing a watch that it was strange at first for my brain no longer to have the capability of assigning a number to every moment, and I must say, this took an indeterminate amount of time to get used to. But I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. Time just doesn't have the same meaning over here that it does back in the states, in any way, shape, or form.

Continue reading "Hannah Gordon: Indian Time" »

Posted by Global LAB at 08:49 AM | Permalink

Perhaps everybody's families had the idea that their sons or daughters were going to go to India and come back fit and thin with all the exercise we got lugging around our backpacks, trekking, etc. Well, I would just like you all to know that thus far, this is not looking very likely. Besides the fact that there are exotic smells and novel tastes to catch our curiosity throughout the day, we have all agreed that our homestay families are trying to perpetuate the idea that Americans are overweight! For example, the other night my homestay mother loaded my plate with rice, curried vegetables, and an assortment of other Indian delights...before I even finished anything that she had served to me, she was insisting that I have more. When I tried to tell her, "No, thank you. I'm full" she looked at me with this quizzical expression, stated that I don't eat enough, and proceeded to give me another large serving of something delicious. Everybody else that I've talked to has had the same problem. Ahh, poor us...as we say in my family, it's a hard life but somebody has got to live it!

Posted by Global LAB at 09:44 AM | Permalink

We have just returned from a wonderful month spent in Zanskar, the most beautiful and interesting place we have been this year! The Zanskar valley is located to the southeast of Leh and is isolated for seven months of each year. The road that provides access to Zanskar in the summer is blocked by heavy snowfall on the high mountain passes in winter, leaving a six day journey on the frozen Zanskar river as the only alternative entry during half of January and February. We were drawn to the Zanskar valley because unlike the rest of Ladakh, we heard it receives ample snow for one of our favorite pastimes – skiing! The river trek was fantastic, but our toes are still thawing out from the occasional wade through that icy water!

Continue reading "Sarah & Cam: Jullay from Ladakh!" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:23 AM | Permalink

Lauren blows out birthday candles on her 20th birthday while taking a boat on the Ganga

Lauren blows out candles on her second birthday cake at her homestay family's house

Lauren dances to Bollywood tunes with her homestay sister Usha

Erin takes over control of a tipsy-turvy rowboat and takes us down the river (for 300 rupees)

PVI sees the sunrise over the Ganga

Posted by Global LAB at 05:36 PM | Permalink

February 28, 2006
An Assertive India Girds for Negotiations With Bush
By SOMINI SENGUPTA

NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 — When President Bush lands in India early Wednesday, he will encounter an ever ambivalent American ally with one important difference from the past: this India has new power to assert its views, some of which align with Mr. Bush's agenda and some of which do not.

Much has changed, in fact, since the last visit here by an American president, in 2000, when President Clinton's address to the Indian Parliament was received so enthusiastically that lawmakers climbed over benches to shake his hand.

Facing prospects of protests, President Bush is not expected to address Parliament at all. But that is not to say that India has morphed into an anti-American redoubt. There is still in most quarters enthusiasm for relations.

Continue reading "From the New York Times:" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:07 AM | Permalink

Where to start, where to start.....

WOW. I am in India. To some of you, this may be suprising as I have not spoken to you for some time, although,... you all know me and the nomadic life I seem to live.

I really haven't had time to sit down and write in the past few weeks. Actually, let me re-word that- 'I haven't MADE time to write.' I have been spending long hours working, getting to know my students and co-directors, remembering what it's like to be in India, being sleeplessly reminded of how much goes into facilitating a program for a group of students... while at the same time having my world rocked on a daily--and hourly--basis. It's been positively rewarding and amazing thus far. It's also been a time of adjusting to 'Indian time,' and intentionally making the choice to stray away from western conveniences that categorize us here as either 'travelers' or 'tourists.' One can spend hours per day in comfortable western-style cafes and internet joints (like I am doing at this particular moment),.... or choose to BE in India....rather than back at 'home,' wherever that is for me these days.....

SO, I guess I am just going to start writing and see what comes out of this message. -It is the Eastern style to go in circles, which is a quite natural style for me to follow, so that's what I will do...... Enjoy!...

Continue reading "Group Email from Erin" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:48 AM | Permalink

So, our stay at Varanasi is almost over and I'm not really sure where to begin describing the awesome, intense, sometimes grueling, and other times, uplifting experiences we've all had.

I guess I should start by voicing my appreciation for everybody being really sweet on my birthday. I woke up in the morning to my "sisters" locking hands and dancing around me and, upon greeting the group, was also sung "happy birthday" and given a lovely card. Later in the day, we took a nice boat ride down the Ganges and I was suprised by a delicious cake. Nothing chiller than birthday cake on the Ganges. The night ended with my host family throwing me a party where we danced the night away to Bollywood music and enjoyed many more delicious Indian sweets.

Continue reading "Lauren: Varanasi Reflections" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:55 AM | Permalink

As our short stay in Varanasi begins to wind down, so too does the temperature. When we arrived here we sweated under the weight of synthetic fibers and freshly bought kurtas, but for the last two days overcast skies have brought us some much needed relief. There is truly something magical about this city that I never seemed to notice the last time I came here almost eight years ago. Last time I was here I thought all there was to see were cremation grounds, silk shops and a seemingly limitless supply of touts and curiously clad westerners seeking enlightenment. That's all still here, but unlike other places in India, Varanasi has been able to cling onto the past unlike any other city I have been in India.

Continue reading "Scott: Varanasi" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:00 AM | Permalink

Liz on the banks of the Ganges

Ashley, Chris, Liz, and Hannah Ginder being offered treats in Deer Park, where the Buddha delivered his first teachings on the Four Noble Truths

Liz's host mother applies henna to her hands

Posted by Global LAB at 09:37 AM | Permalink

Having spent four of the past six months in northern India, I knew what to expect during the wait for my train at the station in Varanasi. Hundreds of people standing, sitting, and sleeping on every surface; peddlers with round trays piled on their heads jumbled high with bunches of finger-sized bananas, mountains of spicy chickpeas, and piles of hand-carved, painted wooden toys all stacked precariously and yet seldom leaving their display spot until a purchase was made. Begging children, widows and disfigured men were making the rounds among waiting passengers, asking and hoping for, but seldom getting handouts. I had been to this station three times before during recent visits to Varanasi with two different PVI student groups, but this was my first time here alone.

Continue reading "Michelle: An Afternoon at Varanasi Train Station" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:27 PM | Permalink

We have arrived safely in Bodh Gaya. Our guesthouse is in the middle of beautiful rice paddies and everyone is in good spirits.

Scott and Erin

Posted by Global LAB at 06:06 AM | Permalink

Hello Everyone-

I am writing to you from the middle computer (the most reliable as I recall) at the YWCA internet booth. It is strange to be here alone.. no Liz and Katie excitedly giving first phone calls home in the booths by the window, no students typing (and losing) messages on the unreliable computers on either side of me...just me and the internet guy here today... it is relatively quiet by Delhi standards, but lonely without any of you here!

If all went as planned you should be disembarking from the train about now and making your way into Bodh Gaya... I hope very much that you enjoy the days in the town there as well as the retreat. My thoughts will be with you all often in the days, weeks and months to come.

Continue reading "Michelle, from Delhi" »

Posted by Global LAB at 02:10 PM | Permalink

In the land where it all began. Buddhism. Now one of the major religions of the world. Beneath the very tree where, over 2500 years ago, the Buddha attained enlightenment. To my left, chanting rises from a sea of white-robed Sri Lankan monks and nuns. On the path beside me, Tibetan monks pass by reciting mantras while monks of many origins can be seen in the midst of completing 1000's of prostrations. Outside the walls of the Mahabodhi Temple complex, temples in the tradition of Thai and Tibetan, Vietnamese and Japanese, Chinese and Sri Lankan, Burmese and Bhutanese Buddhism dot the city. The city is swarming with devoted Buddhists and monks and nuns from all of these traditions and others in their various colored robes, in addition to many spiritual seekers from across the Western world. Bodh Gaya: a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world.

Continue reading "Melissa, from Bodh Gaya" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:30 AM | Permalink

Jullay everyone!

Cam and I have come up with an exciting itinerary for our time together in Ladakh! Here's a brief overview:

April 2-3 Arrival and orientation in Leh city, introductions, history and culture of Ladakh covered at the Ladakhi Women's Alliance

April 4-10 Homestays in Phey village (10 km northwest of Leh). Daily Ladakhi language class, lectures, day trips to gompas, and participation in village life

Continue reading "Ladakh Update from Sarah and Cam" »

Posted by Global LAB at 12:20 PM | Permalink

Erin called us here in NYC on the evening of March 7 (India time) and said that other than a couple of rumbling tummies, all's well as the Root Institute retreat gets under way. We don't anticipate too much in the way of communications before the course concludes on March 11.

Brad and John

Posted by Global LAB at 01:22 PM | Permalink

Before the meditation retreat we had a chance to visit the Mahabodhi temple and sit under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in the very spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment thousands of years ago.

The outside of the temple is definitely a tourist trap. There are vendors hassling you to buy leaves from the tree and all sorts of cheap Buddhist souvenirs. Someone even said its like the Buddhist Disneyland. Some of the group were disturbed by the whole materialistic nature of the place but I actually liked it. I thought it kept the place grounded and put the place in perspective. It helps me remember that no, no religion, not even Tibetan Buddhism, is perfect. The inside of the temple grounds is beautiful and the tree, which is actually a descendent of the one the Buddha obtained enlightenment under is massive and probably the most ancient thing I have ever seen.

Continue reading "Meditations on Impermanence and Nonattachment Under the Bodhi Tree" »

Posted by Global LAB at 01:20 AM | Permalink

PVI's NYC offices spoke with Scott and Erin this morning. The group completed a wonderful course at the Root Institute and are now in transit from Bodh Gaya to Dharamsala. Unfortunately, there have been some train delays and they may have to make alternate plans to travel to Dharamsala via Delhi, but we will continue to be in touch with them and post further updates as we hear more.

Brad

Posted by Global LAB at 07:56 AM | Permalink

Yesterday the group took to the streets to celebrate Holi and danced on the roof of Amit's house.

Caitlin

Caroline

Scott and Erin

The PVI group

Posted by Global LAB at 01:25 AM | Permalink

If you've never questioned why America doesn't have a holiday in which it is not only acceptable but highly probable that you will throw paint on everyone you pass as you walk down the street, perhaps you should re-examine your life. Several days ago in Delhi, this question was forcibly brought to our minds. When we woke up on this memorable day, we were told to wear clothes that we didn't care about- for instance, clothes that we wouldn't mind being covered with paint. The first thing that happened when we stepped out of our guesthouse in the morning was our bus driver and his friend came over and started throwing pink and orange powders all over our heads. Naturally, we all retaliated, and not one of us got onto the bus without looking a little like an alien, or at least another species.

Continue reading "Holi Hannah!" »

Posted by Global LAB at 01:55 AM | Permalink

Contrary to initial plans (which consisted of trying to avoid Delhi like the dreaded Varanasi stomach parasite for the 13th and 14th celebration craziness), we happened to be in Delhi for what many people seemed to say is the most crazy, the most important--and certainly the most colorful--Indian holiday of the year. Holi. My new favorite holiday.

The day before the big event, I asked some of the group leaders, "So, what is the significance of Holi?" Two told me, "I'm not really sure," and a third gave
me the assignment of asking 5 or more Indians what they think to be the meaning of the holiday. This I did. No one really knew. But it seemed like there was
some consensus: several people said it's just a time to be happy and have some fun. That is for sure what the group needed. And that is for sure what we did.

Continue reading "Melissa: Happy Holi!" »

Posted by Global LAB at 01:58 AM | Permalink

We recently heard from PVI program directors Sarah and Cam who are now with the group that they will take the students to Amritsar by overnight train on Saturday. Amritsar is the site of the Golden Temple, the holiest site in the world for people of the Sikh tradition. The group plans to stay in Amritsar for a few days and then continue on to Dharamsala on Tuesday or Wednesday. The program directors have had many discussions with the students and they are very excited to continue with the original program, though they may choose to delay their flight from Delhi to Ladakh by a few days to have more time in Dharamsala. As soon as their itinerary is finalized, we will provide additional updates. Of course, if you have any questions about this revised itinerary, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Brad

Posted by Global LAB at 02:04 AM | Permalink

Left Delhi last night on the night train. The process was surprisingly smooth, which gives me hope that we are getting that much closer to being 'seasoned travellers'. As the comfortably grimy train rocked us to sleep, we traveled to Amritsar. After, what I hear was 11 hours - I was alseep most of the time - we arrived and settled in to the Sikh Golden Temple. We will stay here for free in exchange for help in the kitchen, which promises to be quite an experience. I am excited to learn how to make chapati and other traditional Indian foods. The temple is beautiful to say the least, and the people are very kind and friendly. Seeing the men walking around with intricately decorated swords or daggers is another small adjustment, as it is part of the Sikh tradition. While Sikhism is generally a very peaceful religion, from my understanding the daggers are symbolic reminders of Sikhs' religious and moral responsibility to defend themselves and others. I'm sure we will have much more to say after exploring Amritsar a bit more. Until then, hope all is well back in the States.

Namaste,
Caitlin

Posted by Global LAB at 02:07 AM | Permalink

Since mail can often take two or three weeks to arrive in India, at this point, the best mailing address for the students is the following one:

Student's name
c/o Rinchen Namgial
PO Box 187
Leh, Ladakh 194101
INDIA

Posted by Global LAB at 02:20 AM | Permalink

I received information about how to access the teachings given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala from now through March 29th (on-line) that I thought you might be interested in.

Michelle

The HHDL's ongoing Dharamsala teaching can be heard on the web.

Click "webcast" on the homepage and then click any of the following options depending on which language you want to hear it in: Morning session: 1) Video English 2) Audio Tibetan, 3) Audio

Posted by Global LAB at 02:30 AM | Permalink

We arrived on Tues night after a wonderful two days at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Here in Dharamsala, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is currently giving his annual spring teachings which will continue through the 29th. As the students begin to explore the city, listen to the teachings, and meet the Tibetan exile community, they are coming up with some great research project and Independent Study Project ideas.

Today at 1pm we have an introductory lunch with the homestay families at Lhasa Restaurant and the students will spend their first night in their new homes.

We will write soon with more news for you!

Sarah

Posted by Global LAB at 12:46 PM | Permalink

So, now we are in Dharamsala, which is in the foothills of the Himalayas and is the home of the Tibetan government in exile and many Tibetan refugees. We saw the Dalai Lama teach this morning, which was amazing. I listened for a while to a translator over a little radio but I also found it beneficial to just take the radio off and listen to him speak in Tibetan because the translator is so monotone but the Dalai Lama laughs and puts emphasis on certain words and he, and there is also chanting at the beginning and end of every teaching.

Continue reading "Katie: Welcome to Dharamsala" »

Posted by Global LAB at 05:08 PM | Permalink

Dharamsala is, by far, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been; the himalayan peaks and bright green tree-spotted hills are awe-inspiring. The most beautiful thing, however, is the people; they are just so full of loving-kindness. Everyone smiles at you and not in a fake, come-on-buy-my merchandise way, but in a genuine, happy, and completely open way.

I've learned how to say "Tashita-lay!" which means hello and all day i address monks walking and rejoice in their joyous responses. As a friend at the meditation retreat said, they just "glow". The teachings by the Dalai Lama have also been great. Yesterday, the entire convention recited 2 chapters of prayers for the well-being of others in whatever language they spoke; english, tibetan, german, whatever. In spite of these differences, everyone was in complete unison and stopped at the exact same time.

Continue reading "Lauren: Dharamsala" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:35 PM | Permalink

Another update from the busy streets of Dharamsala. Everyone on the group is doing well. We had an excellent lecture on the evening of March 28th by a local activist that was recently mentioned on the front page of the NY Times. Yesterday morning (the 29th), His Holiness concluded his teachings by giving a Long Life puja (ceremony) that many of the students enjoyed thoroughly. In the afternoon, about half of the group walked up to Bagsu Falls to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and watch the monks as they bathed and purified themselves in the ice-cold waters, before returning to wherever they might live in India or abroad. The other half of our group was in a Tibetan massage class that is two hours a day for an entire week (Chris, Liz, Katie, and Lauren are doing this as part of their ISP). Most of the students and leaders met up at the Japanese restaurant for some dinner/snacks before they headed to their homestays for the evening.

Continue reading "Cam: D'sala Update" »

Posted by Global LAB at 03:25 PM | Permalink

Birthday Cake....

Pool & presents

Posted by Global LAB at 03:20 AM | Permalink

Today was a great "group day." We met at about 9:30am at the bus stand in McCleod and took a couple of taxis down to Norbulingka, the cultural arts center here in Dharamsala. Everyone wandered around observing the various thanka painters, seamstresses, wood carvers, and other artists at work for about an hour. The compound is gorgeous and we were fortunate to have chosen one of the most beautiful spring days to visit. We ate (a rather slow but delicious) lunch in the gardens.

We made the 50 minute walk to Gyuto Ramoche, the temporary home of the Head of the Kagyu tradition, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee. For those of you who do not know a great deal about the Karmapa, here is the official website of His Holiness, which has some good information. We were fortunate to participate in a public audience where about 200 guests received blessings and offered kataks to His Holiness.

Continue reading "Sarah: D'sala News" »

Posted by Global LAB at 03:04 PM | Permalink

Last night after a light offering for Ashley, a small group of us attended a Tibetan Rock & Roll show at the Yongling school. It was a great time had by all. They tore through a mixture of original Tibetan rock songs, Hindi songs, and even a couple of American classics. The light show was very impressive (I think they brought the rig in from a town 5 hours from here) and I got to tape a song or two. When the music ended, they played some electronic beats for about thirty minutes, causing an all out dance party. Erin, Justin and I were shaking our booties on the dance floor while Knight, Melissa and Lauren were pulling some moves up on the balcony. It was great to hear some Rock & Roll as well as mingle with the local Indian and Tibetan youth.

-Frank

Posted by Global LAB at 12:03 PM | Permalink

Cam, Alyssa, Caitlin, Erin, Scott, Sarah, Knight, and Katie bidding Scott farewell at the bus stand before his Delhi departure

Posted by Global LAB at 05:08 PM | Permalink

Tashi Delek once again from beautiful Dharamsala!

Things are starting to come to an end here as Scott has bid farewell to the group and all the students are trying to gain the most from their ISPs in the remaining days. The streets have become far less crowded after the conclusion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings last week and the weather gets warmer and more pleasant with each day!

Continue reading "Some final days in Dharamsala" »

Posted by Global LAB at 03:09 PM | Permalink

Hello there!

It is early afternoon here in Dharamsala on a beautiful Friday! The group is busy stealing hugs from new friends, homestay families and running last minute arrands during our final hours in this beautiful place we have been calling home!

Continue reading "Dharamsala Farewells" »

Posted by Global LAB at 09:21 PM | Permalink

The group just left on the bus to begin their journey down to Delhi. We had a great last day in Dharamsala. Students presented some of their ISP topics, finished things up, we had a last lecture, and then a goodbye to all! It was an amazing time here and students loved their homestays. All the families came to a little goodbye send off we had and then escorted everyone to the bus! Lots and lots of address exchanging with katahs (traditional Tibetan prayer scarf ). They are set for the long bus ride but are filled with amazing memories!

Alyssa

Posted by Global LAB at 09:24 PM | Permalink

Sarah and Cam called over the weekend after their safe arrival in Leh-- “The flight over the Himalayas went well, though it was a bit cloudy and we did not get the views of the mountains that we had hoped for. We will keep our fingers crossed that it is more clear on the return flight. Things have started very well in Ladakh. It is great to be up on the Tibetan Plateau and in the clean air. Tonight we have a cultural performance sponsored in conjunction with PVI’s Westridge Program who is in Ladakh until tomorrow. We will e-mail again in the next few days and encourage students to write Village Voices entries as well. Everyone is excited to be here and in good health. We will be taking it easy over the next few days so that students can acclimatize to Leh’s elevation and then things will begin in full speed as we take advantage of the last month on the program.”

Posted by Global LAB at 06:30 PM | Permalink

Good Morning and Jullay!!!

I'm writing from my third floor room at the Dorjee guest house, surrounded by floor to ceiling windows which look out over the Stok range. We pulled Cam's computer out of storage yesterday and have it with us in Leh to write some village voices. I think its only 7am, for any of you who have been at altitude before (Leh is about 12500ft), you may know that it can be difficult to sleep. And for those of you who love the snow as much as I do, you may ALSO know that rolling over in you bed and looking out the window to see a white blanket covering the entire village and Himalayas makes it that much more difficult to sleep!!

Continue reading "Update from Sarah" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:25 PM | Permalink

Jullay jullay from Ladags, the "Land of High Passes."

We are having a wonderful time up here so far and the students have a new 'energy' that seems to be highly contagious! They are out on a cultural tour of Old Leh and the Tsemo Castle overlooking Leh at the moment, and are intent upon Goncha shopping this afternoon (a Goncha is the traditional dress made of a heavy woolen fabric and somewhat resembles a bathrobe!).

It is such a privilege for Sarah and I to be back in our 'territory' and to have such an eager audience to share this amazing cultural experience with. The students have already incorporated the Ladakhi words that we have taught them into their vocabulary and they are greatly interested in the history and external influences that have helped create this unique culture.

Continue reading "Greetings from Cam" »

Posted by Global LAB at 06:41 PM | Permalink

I'm thrashing in my sleeping bag trying to warm myself up here in my little room in Ladakh. Liz is a great roommate and we just lie around in bed eating chunks of peanut butter with raisins on top. Our room reminds me of a Swiss chalet except the temperature inside is about 10 degrees warmer than outside…and the view is 1000 times better. We dread going to the bathroom cause its too damn cold to go outside and use the compost toilet. In all seriousness, the compost toilet is a great invention and really is MUCH better than the squatter toilets India is infested with. A little fresh breeze… and no waste. Anyway, I came on this trip having no idea what Ladakh was or why I would want to go there, but I predict it will be the ultimate. Sitting here in the goofiest mood makes it hard to be serious but the truth is, I've been filled with a new joy since arriving here in Leh, and every time I greet somebody with a sing-song in my voice "ju-le" I feel like running. And I don't even know what to think anymore…capitalist or communist…industrialization, modernization, corporation. What do they mean? Its too simple to just dismiss them as evil but something in your heart breaks when you seen a Ladakhi in cheap aviator sunglasses lighting a cigarette: things with no place in this culture and only in ours. Is it modernization and inevitable, or is it westernization and our fault? Gotta go join Liz for some pre-bedtime jumping jacks.

-Caroline

Posted by Global LAB at 06:43 PM | Permalink

Leaving my host family in Dharamsala was really hard. My host father and I laughed about the fact that he and his wife were too young to be my actual parents. My host father was 29, which is 10 years older than me, and 10 years younger than my real brother at home. That said, they still really felt like a family. My host brother (age 5) and my host sister (age 2 ½) would scream "Hacha-la, Hacha-la!" – meaning 'big sister' - in the morning when I woke up in the morning and in the afternoon when I came home. My host mother didn't speak English so she communicated in a series of kind-hearted noises and hand squeezes and pats. The four of them lived in a room and a half. To give you an idea of the space, the larger, main room, was about 10 by 12 feet. It's amazing to me how they can live comfortably in such a small space. I don't think it would even occur to them to be bothered by it either. If you were to put an American family of four in a space like that, they would go crazy within the course of 12 hours. I think the close quarters makes the family a lot more tight-knit. When I was growing up I could play in my own room, the play room, or the family room while my parents were in the kitchen. In this Dharamsala house the family was together the entire time they were home. It was so great to be a part of this sweet family that lives such a different life style than I live. I will miss my Tibetan family.

Caption for picture that I will post later: This is the beauty that is Ladakh. This is the splendor that we get to wake up to.

- Caitlin

Posted by Global LAB at 06:46 PM | Permalink

Sun- and cold- and snow-scorched red cheeks of recent refugee children.

Withered, weathered, wrinkled faces with contours like the Himalayan peaks those faces last looked upon long ago.

Wrapped in maroon and saffron robes, crowned with a shaved head, the faces of Buddhist monks and nuns. Some who fled their homes and families in Tibet to escape religious persecution. Others who donned those same robes in order to survive.

Detachedly impassioned faces that glance at you from beneath baseball caps and above sweatshirts sporting the logos of Western pop bands and designer brands: the faces of youth who have never looked upon their homeland but who would be willing to die to secure its freedom.

Continue reading "Melissa--Dharamsala" »

Posted by Global LAB at 12:50 PM | Permalink

Greetings everyone!

I write you on a chilly but absolutely gorgeous afternoon here in Leh! We have had an incredible past few days of exploration and acclimatisation here in the Himalayas! Our past few days have included attending informative lectures, discussing development issues facing the region, sporting new local attire, drinking lots of water, learning about the 'crazy quirks' that our prevalent within our group and just enjoying being in the mountains! You wouldn't believe the smiles that are present on the faces of all-- we are truly loving life and so happy to be here! I am continually amazed with this absolutely inspiring group! -I am so proud of everyone for the openness and energy that they have continued to carry with them now two months into the program!

Continue reading "Hello from Erin" »

Posted by Global LAB at 12:56 PM | Permalink

Julay! (Ladakhi: Greetings) I wanted to let you know that every body is doing well in Phey village. The students are enjoying being there very much and want to take advantage of every moment there. They went to the SECMOL school yesterday and today in the evening Dr. Lobzang Tsewan is giving a lecture on emptiness. Tomorrow they will be visiting Thinksay Monastery, Shey Monastery and CIBS school.

With warm wishes,

Namgial

Posted by Global LAB at 02:32 PM | Permalink

Hi there all!

We have a quick 'power hour' in Leh on our way back to homestays. Thought I'd write a quick note and let all of you curious folks know that we are happy and smiling! Things are going well! We went to the Oracle today.... wow. I'll let somebody else write in more detail to fill you in on our experience!

We had an amazing day yesterday in Phey with a great lecure and discussion in the afternoon- plus a fabulous seder (spelling?) by our very own Hannah (Momo!) We all learned so much!

We are eating dinner (momos) followed by a recital and dance party with students from SECMOL tomorrow evening! The school is in an absolutely beautiful location about a thirty minute walk from Phey, and is the perfect place to play some tunes and get our legs moving! There is also talk of a possible Easter egg hunt with kids in Phey tomorrow morning....

Take care, more to come soon!

Cam, Sarah and Erin

Posted by Global LAB at 02:40 PM | Permalink

When I came to India, I came knowing I was basically going to have to give up being Jewish for 3 months. I knew this was going to be hard during the holidays I would be missing, particularly during Passover, one of my favorite holidays, but I also knew that my experience in India would be well worth it. I wouldn't call myself particularly religious (I pretty much only keep Kosher when it is convenient to, and my time in India would obviously not qualify as convenient), but Judaism is still a major part of my identity. Nevertheless, I was prepared to not celebrate Passover for the first time in my life.

So when my thoughtful mother emailed me with some research she'd done trying to find synagogues I could go to during Passover that would maybe allow me to participate in a seder, my initial reaction was, as cool as that would be, I didn't want to have to inconvenience the group for something I was prepared to live without anyway. At the very least, I decided to simply mention this to the group leaders. When it became apparent that, quite apart from inconveniencing the group, everyone would actually be really excited to see a seder, I started doing some more serious research myself about where we could go. And by more serious research, I mean asking random Israelis I met on the street if they knew of any synagogues in Ladakh and having them respond in the negative. When the suggestion was finally made that I simply lead a seder myself, using whatever we could find in our remote Ladakh village, I pretty much just laughed at the thought of this; not only had I never led a seder in my life, but I didn't have a Haggadah, the prayer book needed to lead a seder that even the most experienced seder leaders have to use. And I had a hard time imagining my Ladakhi family would just happen to have matza lying around.

Continue reading "Hannah's Passover Extravaganza" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:59 PM | Permalink

Jullay!

Our time in the Phey homestays has been wonderful, we can barely believe that we're leaving tomorrow! We've had some great lectures. A member of the Tata Institute for Social Sciences met us at SECMOL last night to discuss development issues in Ladakh. The SECMOL students joined us as well as a few other staff members and friends. It was a lively and informative discussion—certainly got us thinking. We made momos with the SECMOL students and Caroline and Frank cooked up some delicious chocolate momos that they learned how to make in Dharamsala. Knight, Melissa, and Momo (aka Hannah) put on a concert for everyone in the kitchen and we all walked back to Phey at about 10:30pm.

Here's a brief (and somewhat tentative) schedule for the next few weeks. As we solidify our plans for the second longer trek we will share the details....

Continue reading "Update from Sarah" »

Posted by Global LAB at 08:11 PM | Permalink

[Hannah's message below was to have been posted last week--apologies for the delay]

I was kindly told by Cam that if I did not write at least one post about Dharamsala before we left that I would not be allowed on the leaving bus. The fact that we're leaving today and that I still have not written a village voices post has no relation to the fact that I am writing one now, for the experience which I will describe in the following paragraphs could simply not have not been written about, namely by me.

We had heard rumors that this Tibetan debate team practices in the evenings in the main temple here, and that if you ask nicely, you can sit and watch them debate. So during our last evening here in Dharamsala, Melissa, Knight, and I decided to go see if this was really true. Now, this wouldn't be India if we had gotten there and the debate practice had actually started when we thought it would, so we left for several hours and then came back at the more correct time.

Continue reading "Debating, Tibetan Style" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:31 AM | Permalink

Hi,

Where has everyone gone? I'm still seeing PVI shadows and look-a-likes all round town. Justin and I somehow manage to get out of bed in the mornings, drag ourselves through the day, still grieving the farewell of our new friends. But there is hope. Last night we got to see Ice Age 2!

Thank you for such a great appreciation session for myself, Justin and Alyssa. Very touching, and certainly well received.

Hope all is well in PVI land. I flipped through a book on Ladakh the other day, can't wait to get there!!!!

Please pass my email onto anyone else who wants it. Happy to hear from one and all.

Justin and I are going to do a 3 day course called Living and Dying. The only practical part in the course is the Living bit, no requirement for the other part! It's run up at Tushita (spelling?) and being co-led by Rita and Greg (who we have met wandering the streets). Greg is based in Santa Cruz at a Buddhist centre. Should be interesting.

Have found a yoga teacher to walk me through the gentle art of yoga for people who can't, at the moment, tie their own shoe laces and so persevere wearing sandals regardless of how cold it is.

Life is goodly and muchly fun.

Take care and watch out for cranky Yaks.

Paul

Posted by Global LAB at 01:46 PM | Permalink

these dogs are mad

the kid in the red cap is scared of the yellow dog

Posted by Global LAB at 04:53 PM | Permalink

For Knight's 20th birthday we went out to a nice restaurant and ate lots of good food. One of the waiter's let him borrow his crazy hat for a few minutes then abruptly asked for it back.

One afternoon we went to the Tibetan Children's Village set up by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. When Frank started video taping, children crowded around him and watched, a couple even stood directly in front of the camera, waving and sporting the world-famous peace sign.

On the second day of living with my Tibetan home stay family, they took me to a Tibetan wedding. I saw the scarf ceremony where all of the friends and family of the bride and groom lined up with kataks and placed them around the couple's necks. One woman told me that on a traditional Tibetan wedding day the bride and groom would be woken up very early in the morning by someone who was sent to sing them a song and then they would be married at home with their family and a puja would take place. Then in the morning the scarf ceremony would take place and the afternoon would be for dancing, eating and celebrating.

Posted by Global LAB at 04:56 PM | Permalink

Me and Caroline flying

Caitlin and me

Posted by Global LAB at 05:58 PM | Permalink

"Julay! It is Cam and the rest of the group calling from our trek in Ladakh on the PVI Satellite phone. We have reached the point between Yang-tung and the Hemis Ukatang pass. On route, we have been having a wonderful couple of nights in home stays and seeing a lot of beautiful scenery on the Tibetan Plateau. The temperature has been warm at times (in the sun) and cool at times (at night). We plan to hike down toward Hemis and then over to Ang tomorrow. There, we hope to provide students with a choice of service projects: whitewashing stupas (religious monuments), cleaning the area of trash, or perhaps helping with some agricultural projects such as helping to plow or fertilize the fields for the village.

Everyone is healthy and enjoying their time on the trek. We have been separating into 3 houses in the villages at night so that we are in groups of 4-5 in each location. PVI's on-site coordinator, Namgial Rinchen, is with us and has been a wonderful translator of Ladakhi language and interpreter of the culture and its history.

That is all for now. We will be in touch again soon."

Posted by Global LAB at 10:31 PM | Permalink

I've arrived a day earlier than the group from our "baby trek." It was an incredible 5 days! The scenery was beautiful, and the village homestays were a blast. We hiked for an average of 3 hours each day and spent an extra day painting stupas in Ang and another in Temisgom where we planted trees at the local school. Each night we were matched up randomly by the leader of the day and sent off to stay with different Ladakhi families who fed us an endless supply of tsampa, sku, and thukpa. The first night we stayed in Likir where the boys are now. Cam, Knight, Frank, and Chris are all sleeping at the Likir gompa with the monks. The girls and Erin are at Temisgom nunnery for the night which was the last village we stayed in during the trek. I'm going to keep this one short as there is a lot to do in prep for our next 10 day trek (in two days!!).

One last thing...
The group left for the trek with 13 members and will be returning as 14...I'll let Liz and Caroline explain that one!

Hope all is well back home. I can hardly believe it, but we'll be seeing you all in less than 20 days!

Jullay,
Sarah

Posted by Global LAB at 04:23 PM | Permalink

After a few hours of uphill trekking, our group had conquered the highest pass we would encounter on the "Baby Trek". Standing slightly over 14,000 ft. above sea level, this was the tallest monster I have ever defeated, and I am sure it is the same for much of the group. This picture is one I took from the top of the pass, showing the prayer flags framing the towering peaks that are adjacent to the pass we stood upon. We called PVI via satellite phone to let our families and friends know we were alive and well. In Ladakhi tradition, you yell "Kyi-kyi-so-so-lhargyalo!" when you reach a high pass. This translates to "May the gods be victorious!". Being on top of this pass was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my life.

-Frank

Posted by Global LAB at 12:24 AM | Permalink

In my Ladakhi family in Phey I had four sisters, a niece, mother, father, grandmother and grandfather. The oldest sister, who is 25, did all of the cooking. We usually ate rice, dal and vegetables for dinner instead of a more traditional dish like skyu, which is made up of cooked small chunks of dough, potatoes and seasoning. During the evenings we all sat in the kitchen cross-legged on cushions on the floor at low tables. Since I was the guest, I was offered a seat by the stove. My meme-le (grandfather) always sat under a thick wool blanket right next to the stove and against the wall lined with gold, copper and silver pots and pitchers, drinking chang (barley beer) and spinning a prayer wheel.

Continue reading "Liz's Homestay in Phey" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:16 PM | Permalink

Snaking around, switchbacking up and down the Himalayas of Ladakh are trails that have been worn away into the harsh Himalayan rock.

By the designer hiking boots of Western tourists-like us-with fancy backpacks strapped to their backs.

By the often not designer boots of Ladakhi people (the old school form of footwear around these parts consists of pointy-toed elf-like shoes fashioned of colorful?mostly purplish?felt, lined with sheepskin, soled with thick leather, and delightfully decorated with traditional designs):

Nomads who meander the mountainsides with their flocks in search of patches of green in the midst of the predominantly non-plant-life-supporting surface of this high altitude desert;

Townspeople who hike long distances to neighboring villages unconnected by the sparse system of roads to visit friends, find provisions, or seek some service unavailable in their relatively more rural town;

Continue reading "Melissa: The Baby Trek" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:41 PM | Permalink

So the Monklings, what can I say about them other than, "wow I thought my little brother was wild." We recently stayed at a monastery at the end of our "baby trek" and it had everything a Buddhist monastery should have--prayer wheels, art, architecture, a giant Buddha. It had everything save for monks. For the day and a half we were there we saw little else but a herd of 5-15 year old monklings while the full fledged monks were off doing pujas in other villages. The monklings walked, talked, cooked and debated just like their larger counterparts, the only difference was that most of them were no taller than my waist.

chris

Posted by Global LAB at 11:43 PM | Permalink

The scenery is stark and absolutely incredible, almost ridiculous. Indescribable. As are the villages that are perched on hills or hidden in valleys surrounded by terraced fields as best to use the glacial melt that they use as irrigation water. The village we entered today sort of resembles a medieval village---a maze of stonewalls with endless small wooden or tin doors leading to the enormous white villas that every Ladkhi villages consists of.

We spend the majority of time in the kitchen, the warmest room in the house cause I'm endlessly cold all the time (I've made the stove a constant companion). I'm currently sitting on a rug ("stan" in Ladkhi) next to the window looking over the village square and write this on a low red wooden table covered with cups of cha (ladkhi chai) of which I drink at least 15 cups a day and biscuit from my family in Phey. There is nothing I will miss more than the tea drinking habit.

Continue reading "Caroline: Life in Phey" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:52 PM | Permalink

Ju-Jullay!

We are back in Leh for a brief moment after our fabulous trek in the Sham side of Ladakh. This region is actually located north of Leh, but as it is several thousand feet lower than the rest of Ladakh, it is commonly referred to as "lower Ladakh". Our group was able to see firsthand how a small difference in altitude can completely alter the growing season and lifestyles of the local peoples! At points we visited villages above 12,000 feet and they had not even started to fertilize their fields yet, while at other times we passed through villages below 10,000 feet and the fields had already been plowed, planted, and were starting to turn a shade of bright green.

This mini-trek allowed the group to focus on Ladakhi homestays, rural agricultural life, and development in remote areas – all issues that we will touch on in the larger trek, but we felt that experiencing them first hand was much more beneficial. Hiking from village to village as a Ladakhi, living, eating, and cooking as a Ladakhi, and viewing the landscape as both a visitor and a Ladakhi gave us great insight as to why this place is so special.

Continue reading "A Time of Gaining and Giving" »

Posted by Global LAB at 11:54 PM | Permalink

View of Markha Valley

"Jullay! I hope this message finds everyone well. This is Cam and the group calling from the Markha Valley. We are having an excellent trek so far. We started at Chillin and went past several other small villages on the route. Then we had a long day getting to Markha. Yesterday we had a shorter day walking up to Hang-ka. We are carefully looking at the snow conditions as we go and evaluating the route. For now, it looks like we will head up the Marka Valley and possibily do a day hike up the Zanur-Karpo then head east and go out over the pass not far from Hemis Monastery. The conditions here are good and we are having an excellent time. We will call you in another three days."

To the group: "Does anyone have anything that they would like to say?" People say "hello".

"We are just packing up now and getting ready to head off. We have had great weather thus far with lots of sun, but today is a bit overcast so it is a little colder. Everyone is doing fine with the elevation. The cooks, guides and horses are all great. Everyone is healthy. We'll call you again in a couple of days. Bye for now."

Posted by Global LAB at 09:06 AM | Permalink

Greetings from the Marka Valley. Erin here on the last few days of the trek. We completed our final high pass today and walked through a variety of weather ranging from sun, rain, hail, snow and fog. Everyone rose to the challenge and did really well. We are now tired but happily settled in camp. We loved the trek and it provided lots of opportunity to take in the beautiful landscape and have great conversations along the way.

Tomorrow, we head out to Hemis Monastery and will spend the day there exploring this site (the largest monastery in Ladakh). Tomorrow night we will take a bus to Leh and then over the next few days will be in touch. I imagine that it will be a real shock to fly back to Delhi soon after being in this environment. But everyone really enjoyed the trek and spirits are high.

One special request: Please post a Happy Birthday to Melissa’s brother for her. (Happy birthday!) We will be in touch again soon.

Erin.

Posted by Global LAB at 03:04 PM | Permalink

Sarah and Cam

We're back after a wonderful 8 days in the mountains! All semester Frank has been talking about taking a zip line over a roaring river... this is how our trek began. We loaded any combination of four people or backpacks into a rickety old wooden box approx. 4ft x 4ft, and 3ft tall, and sent the box zipping over the Indus to the opposite bank where we met Dorjee and Dorjee and our horses.

We were quite the entourage--10 students, 3 leaders, Namgial our local coordinator, Pemba the Nepali cook, the two Dorjees our horsemen, and "the boys" Norboo, Samten, and Stanzin. Our days varied from strolling through villages in the Markka Valley to route finding up alternative passes where we battled both heat exhaustion and whiteout blizzard conditions within the span of 10 minutes. "Take the snow out of your hats and put your down jackets on everybody!" shouted Erin as we neared the halfway point of the Kangmarula pass.

Continue reading "Sarah: Back from the Trek! & Itinerary Update" »

Posted by Global LAB at 10:13 AM | Permalink

So our stay in Ladakh has almost come to a close. It's hard to imagine that we've only been here for a month. I feel that I've learned so much and grown in so many directions. My family in Phey really redefined for me what it means to be part of a family. The care and responsibility each member of the family felt toward each other and, even me, really blew my mind. It's really a shame that that kind of nurture has nearly dissapeared in the west. Exposure to such awesome and stunning natural formations really effected me here in Ladakh. The trek was an opportunity for me to really connect to myself and nature. The memories of gurgling streams, joyous mountains, and bowing trees carry with them a feeling of peace.

If I were to compare my body to the infinite empty space,
It is an existence as small as a particle of dust
My heart feels the empty space in its entirety and embraces it.
With each and every breath
I become one with the empty space.
Just as there is an empty space that exists outside my body
There is one that exists inside my body.
Since both empty spaces are connected
We are tightly embracing the empty space from inside and out.
All living things have their noses buried deep into this empty space
Receiving life from its greatness.
If the great empty space outside falls ill
It only follows that the small empty space inside falls ill.

One of the most important things that I've come to understand better from being in Ladakh is how important my own actions are and how they effect the world around me. Realizing, on some level, my interdependence with the rest of the universe really stimulates in me a desire to positively affect the world.

Lauren

Posted by Global LAB at 10:52 AM | Permalink

Posted by Global LAB at 02:52 PM | Permalink

Jullay and Namaste, both in the same day!

We have really entered the final stage of our semester as we have left Ladakh and are now in the sweltering state of Rajasthan!

As we expected, the Markha valley trek proved to be an unparalleled experience for the group. The extra bonding time, the wonderful food, the opportunities to reflect during the days, passing through remote villages, the terrain testing our stamina, the stars, the altitude, the laughter. In all aspects the trek was meaningful, demanding, and truly a culminating experience for our time in Ladakh! Everyone performed exceptionally and eventually we all learned the basics of backcountry travel - risk management in a group setting, packing a daypack to be prepared for all weather conditions, Leave No Trace philosophy, high altitude travel and health, and the importance of communication while hiking with a party of 14 people!

After our tremendous day crossing the Kongmarula pass in a snowstorm, everyone's spirits had peaked and there was an enormous sense of accomplishment in each student's smile. It was a wonderful blue sky day when we returned to Leh. We stopped by Hemis Monastery on our way back, soaking up our last glimpses of this deeply rooted Buddhist culture in the northwestern Himalaya. This monastery is one of the largest and richest in Ladakh, with many prayer rooms and gathering halls for the monks to complete their daily rituals. It was a wonderful way to re-enter civilization and Ladakhi culture, to really remember that we are still in this mystical landscape and culture of Ladakh (when you are surrounded by only mountains for so long, you sometimes forget!). Namgial presented the history of both the monastery and the Drugpa Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. This gompa visit really allowed us to summarize our time spent exploring this school of thought over the last two months and helped us realize how much we have all learned!

Continue reading "Cam: Greetings from Rajasthan" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:03 PM | Permalink

As our time in India comes to a close, we are forced to acknowledge that this will probably be the last time (at least for a while) that we experience many of the things we've been experiencing the past couple of days. While things like eating my last thali may have felt bitter sweet, my last completely unnecessary, hour-long detour felt less bitter sweet and more like a pain in the ass that made me feel slightly less sad about leaving India. For my last village voice from India, I will recount the story of this ridiculous detour to you all.

After an afternoon of some random, last minute shopping, Knight, Katie, Caitlin and I had arranged to meet at 6:45 to take a rikshaw to our hotel so we could be back by 7, the time the leaders had arranged for the group to meet and then go out to dinner. Seeing as how the 4 of us had somehow neglected to establish a meeting place, I was quite lucky to happen to find Knight in one of the shops at this time; neither of us had any idea where Katie and/or Caitlin were. When it became 6:50, we decided that Katie and Caitlin could get back by themselves, so we stopped looking for them and started worrying more about getting ourselves back.

Continue reading "Hannah: Detour" »

Posted by Global LAB at 02:34 PM | Permalink

Hi all,

We are busy as all running around and trying to make this end GREAT...... Our hands are covered in Henna, we are about to meet for a closing ceremony, then.... a surprise Bollywood dancing lesson with a professional instructor, dinner, dancing, and the airport. Things are going GREAT. Really. We are having a fabulous time and I cannot believe it is the 11th!

Erin

Posted by Global LAB at 02:56 PM | Permalink

I was disappointed to leave Ladakh. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the Himalayas, the homey little villages, or the Ladakhis that we met along the way. The ladakhi culture is so unique and beautiful. Being in the mountains on the trek has been my favorite part of the trip so far. This said, I was excited to be on the move again.

We've been doing a lot of traveling in the past week. We came out of the mountains in Marka Valley into Leh. From Leh we flew to Delhi and that same day we caught a train to Jaipur, Rajastan. We stayed there for two nights and then trained it on back to Delhi where we have been doing some serious shopping, packing for the plane home tomorrow in the early morning.

Both Delhi and Rajastan have left me perspiring more than I thought humanly possible, especially without even exerting myself. On the train to and from Rajastan I fell asleep on the leather train seats and woke up drenched in my own sweat. Conveniently, it means visiting the toilet less, because I just sweat out all the fluids I take in.

Continue reading "Caitlin: Leaving India" »

Posted by Global LAB at 04:09 PM | Permalink

One last goodbye with the group and we will be on a plane in 12 hours! We have had an amazing last few days with many of our finest cultural experiences occurring at the tail end of our trip! The time in Rajasthan was a great conclusion to our semester and the train ride back to Delhi was a real 'test' for the students who thought they might want to really come back to India in the future......each berth having more than three times the number of people than allowed and unbearable heat for over 6 hours! Fortunately, the students all thrived in the atmosphere and we went out for a great dinner afterwards.

We are leaving for the airport in about 7 hours. This evening we have a final dinner planned and then we thought we might end the night with a little Bollywood dance party! We have had many great discussions about returning home and what to expect, about what we have gained from our time here, and about how we will continue to learn about ourselves and the world when we get back to the states. This has been an unforgettable semester and we cannot wait to share it with all of you in just 48 hrs!

See you soon, Cam

Posted by Global LAB at 08:07 PM | Permalink

It was a sweet homecoming reunion at JFK this afternoon, followed immediately by....

pizza at L&B's, the legendary Brooklyn pizzeria that Frank had been talking about for weeks

Posted by Global LAB at 02:40 AM | Permalink

I'm so sorry we didn't have a chance to say goodbye at the airport! I suppose it was a good thing that Cam and I got in line for security when we did because it took us 3 hours to make it to our gate. I saw Erin on the other side of the customs area, but without my boarding pass I couldn't get to her. I hope she understood my sign language and passed on big hugs and kisses to all of you.

My family and Cam's family met us in the airport (with American flag sweaters and red, white, and blue streamers). We had those delicious cheese burgers we've been dreaming about for the past year, but somehow they just didn't taste as good as the thought of them does from Ladakh.

Continue reading "I CAN'T BELIEVE WE MISSED YOU GUYS!!!" »

Posted by Global LAB at 07:37 PM | Permalink