Hey all,

I apologise for being so slack at posting blogs! Quite a lot has happened since my last post, it's hard to keep track of it all!

Anyway, today marks day 36 in India. Since last time things have been, as usual, a bit random and fun at Tashijong. A few weeks ago we were joined by a third vollunteer - Caroline, who is awesome! It's nice having another person around to have some fun with and help out with teaching. I haven't taught in a little while, which is kinda annoying because I've been loving it! The lamas just seem to make me very happy and continue to brighten my day - both the young and old ones. So yes, right now at Tashijong there is a special religious festival happening, called Lama Dance - a puja with prayer and dance and meditation. It's been pretty cool, but at times maybe a little tedious! haha. The dances last for up to 5 hours! They are quite slow and drawn out, but quite beautiful, as the lamas wear elaborate costume and mask which I think is pretty cool.

As well as this, we'd befriended a man in the local Indian villiage who has been showing us some pretty cool things. We even had dinner - Indian style, where we sat on his kitchen floor and ate roti and vegetarian foods with our hands. I'm telling you, this was the best Indian food I'd ever had! And I got to see it made from scratch with my own eyes. Another day we went on a drive and to a nearby river for a swim. It was pretty funny, and Caz and I were the only westerners there, sorrounded by about 20 Indian boys swimming in their undies and scrubbing their bodies with soap. They all seemed to take an interest in us and asked me my name. The afternoon was then spent being followed by these boys screaming "Annnnnnnnnnnnna" and asking me to play cricket with them or come into their homes for a cup of chai. haha. I found it pretty funny.

I've also met another couple of great friends here at Tashi Jong. One being a Buddhist Nun, born in the states, but living in India, who is really lovely! Her name's Ani Kalden but we like to call her Ani La. Caz and I have been spending afternoons with her watching educational videos about Buddhism and religion, which has been really interesting.

We've also got a man from Taiwan, Vincent, staying at Tashi Jong, doing some meditation for the next few months who we've become friends with aswell. He's really cool and most of our evenings are spend together having a chat over some chai.

It's really great being here, even though at times India can feel quite exhausting. I've been a bit sick the last week or so, but everyone is really helpful and I've had all sorts of natural medicines and my first trip to an Indian hospital to see a doctor...haha.

At the moment Caz and I are visiting other vollunteers, in Manali and Bhuntar. This weekend we're spending with all the vollunteers together, at another Monastery in Himachal Pradesh. I'm really looking forward to it, but I'm also missing Tashi Jong. I guess that's a good thing?

Oh, also, last night I had a live to air radio interview all the way from Australia, talking about my gap year here! It was pretty cool.

Bye for now

Love Anna