New eyes in Thailand!

I didn't realize how familiar Nepal had become until I arrived in Thailand. Sure, I don't speak much Nepali, but I can speak enough to have a little bit of small talk, ask for directions, or buy things at the market (and I can understand some of the responses too!). Of course, I can ask people at length about their medical problems, but that doesn't help much outside of clinic. I can get around by public transport, and know the difference between the local price, tourist price, and rip-off price on just about anything (I don't mind paying the tourist price). I can guess whether or not I want to risk using a bathroom in an establishment after a quick glance around at the workers and setting. I know the culture, and am known at my favorite restaurants, guest houses, and cafes.

While Thailand is more set up for tourists, and the facilities are more familiar (clean bathrooms with TP and 24 hour hot water!!!), it's a totally unfamiliar place to me. The language is so unfamiliar that I can't make heads or tails out of what anyone is saying to me, even with the aid of my phrasebook. I have no idea what things should cost, and have to look in detail at the bills to figure out how much I am handing over. Of course, a day or two is all it really takes to get to know the basics, but it really is a shock to your system to realize that where you are is truly foreign.

It's a great opportunity to look at everything with new eyes, and exercise the ability to do so even in familiar places. It's a muscle that rarely gets exercised as we acclimatize to our surroundings so quickly. When we forget how to use our 'new eyes', it's easy to start to take the good things for granted, or miss out on the little joys in life--and often it's the little joys that create the big joys.

Using our 'new eyes' is what allows us to follow our personal path, "the road less traveled by" instead of the prescribed path. You can see the signs left especially for you rather than following the herd.

I realize that more and more of my posts keep coming back to the same idea; following your path. It seems that nothing else is more important than that. In theory it is such a simple concept, but in practice it is difficult, confusing, and often lonely. For me, the only way to continue resolutely along my path is to continue to find new tools to do so. A daily practice, exercising my 'new eyes', finding a sangha, discussing dharma, all of these help the path be a little clearer and a little less lonely.

Thank you everyone for following me on my journey! I return back to the states very soon, and am so VERY EXCITED for my next chapter.
Love and light,
Ece

Teaching is learning too

Sarita and Saru giving me one last hug in Bhotechaur!

My last days at both the Bhotechaur clinic and Chanauti were truly lovely. At both clinics I was honored in the Nepali tradition, with katas (traditional silk scarves), flower malas, red rice tikkas, and some gifts. I will miss everyone very much! I'm so thankful for modern technology and the ability to at least stay in touch a little bit.

The staff in Chanauti...Nepali people rarely smile.
The pup in front is Kali Bunti, she's teething!
Bonnie, the other volunteer in the picture might be bringing her to the US

I've been spending the last few days in Boudha, Kathmandu with my mom who has come to join me! We have only a few more days here--Monday afternoon we'll be heading over to Thailand for warmer weather before heading back to the US.

Hawk that flies daily over the Bhotechaur clinic...I miss it all already!

Having my mom here has got me thinking more about how exactly it is I travel. I don't just want to show her my favorite places, I want to show her how I travel since so much of why I travel is about Being rather than seeing. It's not exactly 'teaching' but it does have that same effect of causing me to reflect on how, what, and why I do. It feels great to reflect in this way as I will be heading home soon and want to incorporate how I am away with how I am in that thing we call 'daily life' (of course, isn't it all daily life?).

Hanging out with the king and queen (statues)
 in Bhaktapur, the old city

So, how do I travel? I wake up naturally, usually early, and take stock of the day. I sometimes meditate or do tai ji, then find breakfast. This relaxed pace of the morning helps me feel both fed and allows me to part sub-consciously, part consciously decide my direction for the day. I allow the weather and the climactic influences of the day take part in that decision in a natural way, without having to look at the astrological calendar or any number of interpretations. When I start my day this way, everything typically goes smoothly and at the end of the day I feel satisfied and happy.

Some cool graffiti in Thamel, Kathmandu

When I start my day the 'western' way; thinking of all the number of things I 'must' accomplish, skipping my tai ji because "I just don't have time right now", my day ends up being hectic, there are barriers to the things I want to accomplish, and at the end of the day I don't always feel satisfied or happy.

Some ladies in their full Tibetan style clothing
waiting for someone important to arrive!
The kata/scarves are to honor him or her and also to receive blessing.

Of course, back home I don't have the luxury of having every day be totally free; having a job and a career means that there is a certain pace at which things must be accomplished. It's easy to forget, though, that most things don't need to be done on a particular day. Having a system of organization with tasks and their deadlines (thank you Eric Grey!) makes a lot of sense. It allows you to get in tune with the day and pick the tasks that are most suited to your energy and the energy of that day. It also comes back to the importance of having a daily practice in order to become in tune with yourself and allow those decisions to come more naturally, allowing the subconscious to play a role instead of using that crazy monkey mind. Not all decisions can be made rationally!

Boudha stupa
I have way too many photos of this amazing, sacred stupa

I'm happy to say that I've already been on the path to leading my life this way. Reflecting in this way helps me to strengthen my resolve on the path that I've chosen; to have a daily practice, to organize my life in terms of tasks, and to find meaning in everything I do. The exact details are still coming together (I have a feeling that they will for the rest of my life), but it feels good to have more and more direction.