Blessed Caves & Monkey Business

Another beautiful day in Tso Pema...Karma and I have pretty much decided to stay here and not head north to Manali. It will surely be overrun with Indian tourists and the guesthouses will be overpriced for tourist season...plus we're both content doing meditation practice and being around other pilgrims, which Tso Pema attracts, so Manali wouldn't have the same atmosphere.

A few days ago we hiked up the mountain to see the caves where Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche [precious one]) and Mandarava meditated. It took us almost 2 hours going straight up hill (on stone steps). It was overcast, so it was a perfect day to walk. My calves are still feeling it. :)

The main caves were so amazing. We spent a lot of time inside meditating and chanting mantra. There were a lot of Tibetans coming and going as we sat. It was a really amazing experience and I felt so grounded inside of there. Apparently a western woman paid to have the inside fixed up with granite, so it looks really beautiful. After we sat in there, we went up to the top of the mountain by the cave and hung new prayer flags, then walked to see where Guru Rinpoche had left a footprint in a rock. We walked back down the mountain and walked around the new(ish), HUGE, statue of Guru Rinpoche that sits up on the hill between the lake and the top of the mountain. It's beautiful. I'm hoping to upload some photos soon.

There are A LOT of monkeys with little babies hanging out around the lake and the town. They are SO cute!!! I really enjoy looking at them when we walk around the lake doing kora (circumembulations).

On the visa front we're waiting for them to schedule an interview with Karma, so there's not a whole lot we can do until he receives that letter. The US embassy said it could be another 1-3 weeks until he hears from them. I don't know if he will interview with them while I'm here, we'll see.

Until then, I'm on holiday time....xoxo