Still Water Runs Deep

While teaching one of the Shedra monks, one of the two quiet ones, I was struck by his silent, warm smile that spread across his entire face when I would make a small joke. Although I have barely heard him speak, his concentration is palatable. For some reason, “still water runs deep” came to my mind and I decided to christen Nawang Dakpa with an new name. Only two or three of the 22 boys have nicknames, I thought one more would be accepted. I have been living and working with them for over a month.

First wanting to check for understanding, I shared the idea with the class and we discussed the phrase “still water runs deep.” I asked them to add to their other assignment and write a response to our discussion.

Still Water Runs Deep

by Kunga Sangpo

In our culture our father, mother, and master frequently advised us to be as “still water (that) runs deep.” Some people misunderstand the proverb and believe that it is nonsense. Actually in Buddhism, we are always trained to be like this; in this way we lessen our desire for our own purpose and so not show too much aversion to others. This behavior also aligns closely with our Bodhisattvas. To embrace “still water runs deep” can ably benefit both ourselves and others.

I Wish You

by

Ngwang Tsultrim

To be a high thinking person, to do any kind of work very carefully, as “still water runs deep”,

To be a very good person as the proverb “still water runs deep”,

To be an understanding person as the proverb “still water runs deep”,

To be the person who has a good understanding of the of the proverb, “still water runs deep”,

I wish you to be an understanding man as the proverb, “still water runs deep.”

Lord, they do warm my soul.

Flashlight Learning & More

I thought I heard something. I thought I heard it again. Finally I went to the door and standing all alone in the dark was Kunga Sonam from the UKG class. He had walked all alone in the dark up to my room; obviously he wanted some quality time. Unfortunately the power was off, but not wanting to turn him away I set out some books and beamed up a flashlight.

He immediately set to work. He was writing his alphabet and numbers on a wipe-able page, singing the letter names while he wrote. He went through all the various colored dry erase markers. After a while I said I thought it was time to go. I motioned teeth brushing which is the activity before bedtime.

He kept shaking his head no, no. I kept relenting. Finally I knew he must return and as I was leaving to walk him down an older student came and said that they were looking all over for him. Well, for a while he had one to one time. Now, in the evening, every time I hear a scratching noise I’ll be opening my door, expecting my flashlight learner.

  

On the other side of the equation, my Shedra class meets on my Patio, every day for an hour, usually from 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Here they are partnered up and cramming for a test. 

Jampa Dhakpa, Ngawang Rigzin and Ngawang Phuntsok

Every Third Day

Actually it's not too bad, showering every third day. Truly there is no body odor for me in this climate. NONE. My oil glands must be on a hiatus. My lovely feet which are used to a weekly foot bath and manicure are circling in a waiting pattern. This may continue till the Kennedy set down. Baby wipes which I purchased in Lakeside (touristville, remember) facilitate a quick and easy sponge bath. There are fewer times when I have less/no clothes on and my entire psyche appreciates this, not to mention the reduction of the shivering factor.

I have had quite a bit of trouble with my Internet connection and today the techs (I use the term VERY loosely) are coming again. They were here yesterday, but the power was cut. The monk who brought them to my room went to the head lama to request the generator be turned on and it was turned on for 15 minutes; not enough time.

But today, TODAY, as I sit here and type at 6:40 AM, I am warmed by a cup of instant coffee with Cremora – my only available dairy product at the monastery. Robert, baby you're the best. A package arrived yesterday after around 3 weeks with 4 boxes of instant coffee packets and Cremora in a large zip lock bag. I nearly put it under my pillow last night. I imbibed in TWO cups of Hazelnut flavored Nescafe Taster's Choice with Cremora. I taught a math lesson with the kids figuring out how many cups I could drink a day with the number of packets and the number of remaining days; 2.29 cups per day. This might be a problem. Robert send more. Remember there are other volunteers here and I MIGHT need to share.

I've got the computer lab up and running, but only 3 computers are operational. With all the power cuts they need to be run through another piece of hardware; not be directly plugged into the power. We now have a schedule for the Shedra, college monks, to practice keyboarding and class 7 to begin typing their essays on the word processor. Yesterday with class 7 there were many explanations about how to use the mouse - right click, left click, and also click and drag. Their time in the lab is limited to 45 minutes a day. Actually it took me two weeks to get the keys to the lab, permission for the time slots, and then the creation of a schedule. Heretofore some of the Shedra monks had been using the lab to view movies on the DVD players. Ergo the padlock.

I am looking forward to today's math lesson on estimation with class 2. They are a rather rambunctious group with a wide range of abilities. The classes here may contain an age range of 4 or more years. You do not move to the next class until you pass your exams for the year. So from my western educational point of view, there may be some kids with learning problems and they remain, in the same class, with the same problems. However I must say that somehow this system is working, everyone moves on - I guess repetition has some effect. (Remember, retention was also a method in our system)

(Murmur to self: you will not have another cup of coffee, YOU WILL WAIT.

And now for the mail:

Denis and Anne, the cards were great and the dishcloth was better. It was used immediately, washed and hung for another day. Thanks, from the heart of an American housewife. (OK, I chose not to say clean freak)

Terry, the photo of you all was super and I shall use the card in a lesson.

Jon, trad music fills the air in rhythm with the clicking keyboard. Your One Year Out CD is a beautiful outcome of your year in Ireland and I teared at the Sheba dedication.

Meghan, the poem truly hit home. Tanks

Peggy, the rubies, er pink tissues arrived and are in use. I refer to them as rubies because they are not an available product in Nepal. (except in touristville) The cards will also be used for teaching.

Renee, of course I have the Forest Animals book and as of yesterday I have received cards 1-5. The lesson will commence. I know the kids will love the visuals; we will definitely draw, color and write an English sentence about the animals.

I could talk here now about the card Robert sent me with a beloved cat on front saying "Oh, there you are…", but my mascara will start to run and my foundation streak and I've run out of makeup remover. So…'nuff said.

(If you think for one minute my face is covered with anything more than multiple scarves, hand knit woolen head bands and shawls, you lose.)

Well I enjoyed our chat; I will post this, post the tech visit which should occur sometime between 10 and 12 today.

Ciao

P.S.

Harry and Ellen sorry I missed you on Skype; the software has yet to arrive. I am a little worried that it looked appealing to someone in Dubai, or Mumbai, or Kathmandu.

Connie, nothing yet, but I think your care package will arrive for the Desperate Housewife.

Robeless Monks

Wash Day – Everyday - even if the sun "don’t shine"

OK, check it out my blue wash bucket and a 2 liter empty water bottle for a plunger, and a packet of washing soap.

Side of My Bathroom Scene

Drawing water from the faucet is the only easy part. All the rest is back breaking. Add washing soap, stir with plunger, make sure your sleeves are pulled up and you’ve taken off your gloves. Needless to say, bare feet and cuffs rolled up is de reigeur.
Continue to fill with water, ice cold usually, then add 3 medium items, or 5 small, or one large. Let soak overnight, don’t forget to plunge occasionally. Pray for sun tomorrow. Next morning, or next day or whenever time allows, rinse, rinse, rinse. This means tilting the bucket towards the floor and in the direction of the drain. I have devised a system where I use my water bottle plunger to rest the bucket not having to hold the bucket as it drains and break my bleepin back.
Now for the really fun part: wring, wring, wring. Finally shake and hang over something - anything where the sun will shine. Don't forget to turn during the day, and bring in before sundown.

I was able to purchase washing soap in very small packets; like the size of a zip lock bag. It helps because wearing clothes for several days, WHICH I DO, necessitates a good washing.

No one has washing machines; not even the early types our mothers were familiar with. I have never seen a washboard, just clothes, buckets, rocks and drying space.The entire country often appears as one big clothes line.

 Side of the Road Scene

Side of the River Scene

Side of a House Scene

Monastery Rooftop Scene

( young monk just returned from the river with heavy, wet, clean robes))


In Nepal there is a modest amount of electricity in the home and more often no running water thus the public tap. Washing is done in plain view and the river is a second to the street faucet. I have seen women and men washing in the river at the height of the afternoon sun, removing clothes from under and over creating a modicum of privacy while cleaning their bodies.

Daily Life Scene

Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out

OK OK that's a bit melodramatic, but jeeze this is my second cold in one month and it's two too many. Thank god a package came today with cold medicine in it from home. I had used up the first pack for the first cold. Maybe the no heat, no hot water, being around many kids with runny noses etc. has helped to contribute to the present situation. But tonight after another rotten day, except when teaching and the adrenalin kicks in, I took out the big guns - CIPRO. My doctor was great when I asked her for some meds to take traveling with me. She was born in a third world country, so no explanation was necessary for her.

On top of the cold business, the sun did not shine today and there was fog all morning. However my Shedra class had their first test from me and the results were pleasing. I didn't calculate the average, (too dependent on gradebook software), but the approximate average was 94; only one failure and I will have to talk to him to see what's up.

I also asked them to answer one essay on what they would like future volunteer teachers to teach them. I got some terrific responses. They are interested in everything: vocabulary, writing, speaking, speech giving, poetry writing, psychology, translating, computers, and also a "deeper relationship" with a volunteer teacher.

They're one heck of a group of fine young men.

Ages in the Shedra class range from 19-23. They are all from the district of Mustang; a Himalayan Kingdom close to the Tibetan border. Traveling home for them involves an arduous trek. Occasionally a parent going through to spend the winter in Kathmandu or nearby stops in to see them.

But they are not alone, they are with their family of brothers. These boys relate across all ages far more compassionately than many of us could imagine. Yes, there is fooling and teasing - but it never goes too far. Yes, there is smacking and smacking back - but it never seems to end in tears.
Life moves on at a comfortable pace and there is always someone with whom to play or to talk. Smiles are a constant.

A Perfect 10, Except for the Crash Scene

Sarangkot offers a view of the Himalayan range that is "almost a religious experience", thus saith Lonely Planet Nepal. What you get is the panoramic glory of the Himalayan peaks, starting with Dhaulagiri (8167m), to Machhapuchhare (6997m), ending with Annapurna II (7937m).

 

Lucca and I started out fixing to get a bus to the bus park, take a second bus up Sarangkot and then walk from the parking lot to the top. We started a little late; no buses going by.  We hailed a taxi rather then walk all the way into Harichowk. We sidled in next to a mother with babe.
The driver agreed to take us to the bus park for a fixed sum.  At the bus park some shop ladies informed him of something and he told us that the bus was no longer running. We negotiated for a taxi ride, which we later renegotiated into an hour's wait and return fare; 2500 NR about $35.00.

The road up the mountain is a 20 minute continuous wind with blind corners; no problem. Actually this one only has a short white structure in the way; why that's an entirely clear view!

View from Inside the Taxi

 
The Nepali method of driving lets everyone know that something is coming around the corner as the moving vehicles continue to honk their horns, not slow down and certainly not worry about the driver coming from the other direction. It's the ultimate 'CHICKEN DRIVE'.

(Note: all the pictures of the roadway are on the way down; this is to give the Valium a chance to kick in)
 

The road changes from a 'roadway' to a "rockway" about halfway up. At one point our driver pulled over, got out and looked down the ravine. I thought, "Gee, he must have lost a hub cap." He then beckoned us out of the car to look down the mountain to view the crash scene. Last month a bus went over the side and since then "no more buses." Not a Kodak moment, but a small prayerful one for those 15 who perished in the accident.

Discharged from the taxi a 10 minute walk brings you to this:

Returning and re-ascending, the second path is strewn with shops, eateries and sleeping places.

Time for some food and a restful view.

I sat right at that round table to the left. The drop behind the tables was stunning and included lemon trees. While waiting for my order to be taken I noticed the dishwasher woman.

I ordered scrambled eggs. It was then that the girl who took my order brought a frying pan out to the dishwasher.

Yep, cold water, maybe some soap and a pair of strong utilitarian hands.

A few neighbors walked through the kitchen.

I decided to live dangerously and eat the eggs; they were good. Returning down the walkway everyday life continued, including the vendors hoping for a sale.

On the return trip down the mountain we passed the ledge from which the paragliders took off. Quite a view.

Quite a day.