River Picnic

Lama Alert on Aisle 6

We picked up Lama Kempo from Durango today and on the way back we had to stop at Wal-Mart for supplies. I don't know what disturbed me more, seeing Lama Kempo in a Wal-Mart or that I've been in a Wal-Mart twice this month.

Santa Fe Sunday

Adobe!

Rock star assistants to the Lama - Lis is Ass 1 and I'm Ass 2.

Kept waiting for the Road Runner to appear.

Tonkai and Trinlay

Tonkai and Trinlay checking out the construction tools during a break from Tsog.

Trinlay is Lama Gyurme's 3-year-old son who likes to get into everything and you can hear him yelling Papa! Papa! all through the temple. He's the cutest damn thing ever and Tonkai is the kindest, most genuine guy you'll ever meet. He's a resident who is one the few who can keep Trinlay in check.

Two very cool dudes.

Tsog Shoppin'

My computer has recovered after swallowing a glass of milk. In that time, we've gone shopping for a Tsog celebration and had the celebration. Lis, Jess and I hit the Pagosa Springs City Market one late nite.

Would you like a cowboy with those eggs?

Morning Pee

This is where I pee. It's a wee bit cold in the mornin'.

This is my view while I pee. It makes up for the wee.

Paint Day

Sketchin'

Hole punchin'

Chalkin'

Pipein'

Looks friggin' good.

Ekajati Peak

Stupa Ceremony

This morning there was a ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Stupa. The definition of a Stupa is a mound-like structure that contains Buddhist relics. The one here was the first thing built on the land and is created from stones found on the property.

Two cool things I read it has is seeds from the Bodhi tree and earth from all the continents.

Morning ceremony with chanting and meditation was accompanied by burning juniper leaves which smelled awesome. People walk around the structure to activate and move the positive energy out into the world. Very beautiful.

The Spaceship has Landed

Mornin' over a yurt.

Go Lama Power! HOOOOO!

Lama Gyurme is here! He is one cool funny dude.

He started right off the bat getting the altar designs going. We're creating stencils of his drawings complete with hole punching the resin paper he draws upon. Once it's done, chalk will be used to mark the space. In one day, I feel like I learned a ton watching him. We spent the afternoon mixing mineral paints and painting the doors.

Mineral paints are made from the earth and have amazing vibrancy. Things he does just make so much sense. Complex designs but simple tools. Compass, charcoal, marker, push pin, resin paper. Amazing.

Oompa Loompa Goompa

Staff council meeting in the goompa. Cookies were involved.

Pancake Update

Sourdough pancake with cinnamon complete with maple syrup out of a bell jar = YUM. I also found out all the men here work in the kitchen while the women work everywhere else. Nice.

No Sun = BRRRRRRrrrr

Rain is here. Got to bust out my new winter hat and fleece this mornin. Also really diggin' the fluffy scarf I bought in Barcelona last year. I have this really strange feeling I'm gonna get to see some snow before I leave.

Movin' into a cabin later today. A new yoga retreat starts tomorrow and the cooks are back doing what they do best. He is making some pancakes and just asked Lis and I if we can eat butter. Oh yeah, I friggin' love me some butter.

Pancakes then Rabbit Skin glue primin'.

Hot Springs

A trip to the Pagosa hot springs which included checking out different temps in each pool. I was able to get into all the really hot ones very easily thanks to my delicate Key West temperment. In between the hot, I got to try to force my body into the cold river water which actually felt nice once you committed to getting in. I miss being in water so much it wasn't that hard - there was a lot of screaming for the restaurant porch guests sitting at "Tequila's" across the river though.

The whole staff seemed to be enjoying a day off in town and that included chowing down on burgers and beers. The lama's nephew just got picked up in Durango and he joined us at the restaurant. As some of the girls were chatting about their upcoming tattoos tomorrow, the nephew simply said, "Let me get this straight. On your days off, you drink beer, eat burgers and get tattoos?"