Dharamsala!

Blog 3

ELAND BRONSTEIN - Volunteer Relations Coordinator / Tour Guide

April 26, 2013

ARRIVING - Home Sweet Home.

Dharamsala is starting to feel like a home away from home. Last year I spent three weeks in Dharamsala but I never experienced the same view as I did this time. As our local bus rocked up the weaving bumpy roads to this mountain village the sun was setting. Music was blasting in my headphones as we sprawled over a few seats to maximize comfort. Then we got our first look at the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. The first site of these mountains are always so breathtaking and humbling. The three of us looked at each other and could only come up with the words, "is this real life?"

That moment in the bus later lead into a conversation about how traveling makes these "is this real life" moments so amazing. We decided that the challenges we face while traveling makes those moments of simplicity and natural beauty that much better. For me, traveling is about seeing beautiful temples, people and landscapes but it is also about embracing the challenges that arise everyday. Our ego is constantly being tested while traveling as we break out of our comfort zone. At home it is easier to stay in our "safe place" where we are comfortable. As I push my "comfort zone" more and more, everywhere becomes my safe place, my home.
These challenges of uncomfortable buses, less personal space, different climates and language differences are also what make us really appreciate the amazing moments. The bus ride with the extra space, great music, the right people, the sunset, the trees around us and the snow covered mountains in the distance somehow was one of those perfect moments when you realize, I am exactly where I am supposed to be right now.

TEACHING!

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with many other Tibetans were exiled from Tibet and welcomed to settle in Dharamsala. In my experience the Tibetan people are very lovely, which makes for a very peaceful environment. The community is strong and puts a lot of energy to supporting Tibetan's in many different ways. One way is by providing free English classes for Tibetan monks and refugees from all over the world.

English conversation class in the sun.

We got the opportunity to do volunteer teaching in an English conversation class . All the teachers are volunteers from abroad. These classes are so important for the students both practically and for their confidence. It is very empowering for them in the process of regaining their independence. It is also an amazing way for volunteers to learn about another culture through first hand interactions. It was so inspiring to see each person stand up (whether they had been learning English for one day or ten years) and speak to the entire group. Michael, the exuberant Mongolian man I was working with was soaking in as much English as he could in a month before starting university. I couldn't help but feel a little proud as he stood up in front of the whole group to say his piece and made them laugh.

New Creations!

ACTIVITY TIME!

It was time to get our creative juices flowing with some silversmith classes. For me it's pretty amazing when I went into the class thinking, "I can barely draw stick figures, how the hell am I going to make silver jewelry?"
Then when your done you still can't draw stick figures and your thinking, "how the hell did I just make that?"
It is inspiring to see our own creative potential if we just focus our energy for a few hours.

After creative time, it was time to do some outdoor adventuring. We hiked a steep mountain (with a rewarding Chai shop called Magic View). The view is stunning as the Chai shops name implies. I always forget how great a simple hike can be...

To get a slightly different perspective we thought we would try running off the side of the mountain (don't worry we had parachutes). It was my first time paragliding, what an amazing rush! As I ran off the side of a mountain and my feet rose into the air, I was thinking "man, I hope this guy knows what he's doing!"
Then we just floated over the forest and the city with the perfect wind. After about 5-10 of pure glory we landed with a bump. However, the little bump couldn't erase the stupid grin I had on my face for the next few hours. If your planning on joining me on one of our trips you better pray for good weather so you can try this!

Namaste for now,

- Eland