Shamar Rinpoche at Losar  

My teachers and heads of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. (left) 14th Shamarpa (right) 17th Karmapa 

Karma Kagyu refuge tree 

ok. you wanted a picture of me. So here it is. 

If there's a will there's a way

So I finally was able to post some pictures. I just had to copy the software off of my computer on to a disc and put the pics I wanted on disc. Then I had to walk miles into town and go to the internet cafe and use the computers here. I hope you all enjoy these. I will now be able to update more often. Take care. I will post again soon.

Love
Derek

Karmapa giving a blessing to one of the monks 

Hundreds of people lined up to receive blessings from His EminenceShamar Rinpoche and His Holiness Karmapa 

Puja (prayer) for Losar. Karmapa (on the left) Shamarpa (on the right) 

("monk"eying around ) Some of the monks posing for the camera. 

His Holiness Karmapa's House. Next door to where I live. 

Another view from Kalimpong. The other side of the mountain 

Hindu Temple just up the hill from where I stay.(ganesha)  

Hanuman Statue at the Hindu temple just above where I live. 

View from the building I live in at the shedra 

Children at play 

Children who live near the Shedra in Kalimpong 

view of the Kathmandu Valley from the Swayambhu monastery 

Swayambhu Stupa 

over 1000 year old carving at Sawyambhu, Nepal 

monkeys playing at Swayambhu monastery 

The Fool on the Hill

Tashi Delek Friends,
I guess it is about time for another post. I would like to thank my friends who recently posted comments( Wescase , Aaroncase, Candcase, and Stacecase). I had a good laugh reading your comments. I wish I could be there with you guys but I am also very happy here. I had my second day of classes today and it went very well. The monks apparently like learning so much that they requested that I teach more than just 3 days a week and teach the full 5 day schedule. I was flattered but I told them I was American and that we don't like to work as much as you guys. Just kidding. I was happy to oblige. This is very funny to me because you would never catch American students asking for more classes and more homework. I guess things really are backwards over here. The students are very eager and it truly is a pleasure teaching. I finally have gotten bored with soupy stuff over rice and have been taking my meals in town once a day. I have found some places that serve what they think is American food and it is a nice change. Some places here try to have a western appeal but just seem to miss the mark sometimes. Like so many beauty shops calling themselves "Saloons" , Ketchup (called "continental sauce") that tastes like tomato fruit paste, pancakes with no syrup and so on. But hey, at least they try. I am a big fan of momos and there are plenty of those to be had. For those who don't know what momos are they are a himalyan favorite very much like Chinese dumplings in American Chinese restaurants. I think of all of my friends and family everyday. As different as things are here there are still things that remind me of each of you at different moments. There are some very beautiful women here. You can be walking down the street and your eyes catch a glance from an incredibly elegant lady dressed in a sari with deep dark eyes, creamy caramel skin, and a gate that is both humble and proud. And as she comes closer you think "my god she is amazing!". And at that moment she looks you in the eyes, sticks out her neck and "kkkrkkrup! Thuew!" she spits out the nastiest loogy any older brother or middle school boy has ever seen. Of course not all women here are like that but it is quite funny and not that rare of a site. There are plenty of beautiful people here and thankfully some find the spitting as vulgar as I do. The life expectancy here is not that long for himilayan people so here I am an old man. Everyone always wants to know why I am not married. I tell them because women are selfish pigs and all they want is your money and to leave you heartbroken and penniless. Again, just kidding. It is common here to marry at 13 and start having kids soon after. And boy do they have kids. I love it. There are so many children here. The streets are safe so parents feel fine letting them play out in the open. There has to be 5 kids to every adult here. At least it seems this way. The children love westerners and when I walk to the market everyday they shout from the roof tops or come running up to you laughing and say "Hello sir" and eagerly reach to shake your hand. It is hard not keep a smile on your face when there are so many happy children around.

Losar

Hello friends,
I have really been enjoying myself these past few days. I am sorry I have not been able to e mail everyone yet but the internet situation is a bit frustrating at times. For example, right now I can post on my blog but I cannot access Hotmail for some reason. I heard rumors that Kalimpong has just upgraded to broadband but I will believe it when I see it. We have been celebrating Losar for the past few days and it has been great fun. Losar is the Tibetan new year. It is the tradition to celebrate for several days, sometimes up to fifteen. I have taken many pictures but I will have to wait until they get the new connection at His Holiness' house to upload them on the site. Maybe they will get the rumored broadband I have been hearing about. For those waiting for me to Skype them pease forgive me. Losar is like Christmas here so it is a pretty big deal. This means that things are a bit more complicated at the moment. I am sure I can get regular access to the internet in the coming future and I will set up times when we can Skype. For those who are wondering " what the @#$* is Skype?", Skype is a *free* program you can download for *free* and speak over the internet with your friends and family for *free*.Oh yeah, did I mention it is* free*? It works pretty well and I encourage anyone interested to download it(www.skype.com). There have been hundreds of people from all over the world here celebrating Losar. The monks have been staying up late lighting fireworks and enjoying the company of so many visitors. I too have been enjoying the celebrations but I have to admit I am ready for it to be over so I can get to work. I will be teaching english to the monks as soon as the celebrations are over and I am very excited about this. I also will give private teachings to HIs Holiness Trinley Thaye Dorjee XVII Karmapa but I have a feeling I will be the one receiving the teachings. When his english is up to speed he will be giving regular teachings and answering Q & A for the website www.Karmapa.org. I have met many special people here and I cannot wait to share more of my experiences with you. I have to thank my friend Wes once again for setting this blog up for me. I really feel connected with my friends and family thanks to this and I hope you all feel the same. Take care of yourselves and I will be in touch soon. Please feel free to post questions in the comment section of the blog. This will give me something to write about in the future posts.
Love you all,
Derek