We cannot even begin to grasp that it's been almost two weeks since we left Vermont. It is such another world here in India..it's sometimes hard to imagine our little home town. Last night I was feeling nostalgic and google mapped Dorset via satellite. Special little place! Then, I google mapped Dharamsala...which I suggest if you are curious about the topography...it's pretty spectacular! I got to thinking about their similarities and I realized maybe the reason why we were attracted to come here in the first place. It's like a bigger Indian version of Vermont and instead of the Green Mountains as the backdrop, it's the Himalayas. The community is closely knit and very family oriented..although contrary to our "Divorset"..the Indians do not believe in divorce..in fact, they do not even understand the word. Marriage is still arranged by the families and it is a commitment that is made for life.

I woke up this morning to the landscaping crew...aka..the little old lady on her knees with a sickle in her hand cutting the grass and putting the clippings in a bag. Can you imagine? No excuses for me anymore when I think I am too old for something! When it started to rain she did not stop even for a moment to look up at the sky. It was a lesson for me in mindfulness. These little tidbits are always presenting themselves here. The people are hardy and happy living extremely simple lives. I am sure there are struggles, but I have not felt anyone feeling like "poor me"...especially the kids at the daycare... they are tough as nails. If they fall down, they do not cry..they get up and keep playing. When I say "fall down"..it's usually after running in the cement yard..maybe even landing in a puddle of dirty water. Ughh. I think I might cry. I saw ladies carrying loads of cement on their heads today at a building site. Up and down the stairs they would climb to the street to get a new load, take it down, dump it and do it again. Um...do you even know anyone who would do this? Not me. I am inspired all the time and I am reminded how incredibly lucky we are to live in such a magnificent and CLEAN place. I would say the fly in the cereal for me is the trash everywhere. Despite it's beauty, India has no trash system and people litter everywhere..and everything. The water is polluted, the streets and alleyways are just piled with trash. Such a contradiction to the spiritual life the Indians live..but it's all they have ever known. There is a ban on all plastic bags in Himachal Pradesh (the state in which Dharamsala lies). All bags are either sewn fabric or paper. It will take decades for the trash epedemic to be rectified..if ever. My hope is that we can return here someday and see it litter free.

After lunch, we enjoyed traditional Indian dance lessons..and you know, I think I may have picked up a few moves to add to my repertoire, so watch out!! Lily was skeptical about the lessons, so she watched, we'll wait to see if she breaks out any moves later in life! Since today is Tuesday we meandered our way up to Kotwali Bazaar to collect our new threads at the tailor. The pix of Lily are in her new clothes...pretty cool stuff. Dinner was followed by warm bucket showers and now bedtime is upon us. We are starting to miss home a lot and can't wait to see everyone, go to the pool, eat..drink...ok, ok, that's enough fantasizing for one day. Sending our love.