The Ebb and Flow of life

An early return is now scheduled. I will be home Monday night.

Please pray for my family.

WOW! Now how about that India, huh? After a well deserved SIXTEEN hours of sleep last night I am finally mentally capable of giving a proper report.

Delhi was my/our first day.



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(Consider Erin to be included when I say “my” from now on.) The day was spent with Amit as he showed his new travel agency office. He and his brother Garav started a travel agency about a month ago that if I remember correctly will be taking tourists all over northern India, and to Goa also? www.namasteindiatoursandtravels.com




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All three of us met up with Namgail and his recently married wife for lunch in Connaught Place.



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A great afternoon ensued and at 5:30 it was time to get on the bus to Dharmsala.



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The bus ride was so unsatisfactory that when it is time to depart I will be chartering a private taxi back to Delhi. This will happen strictly to avoid the vomiting child behind us, drunk man at the wheel taking turns at speeds only Evel Knievel would attempt, and to maximize comfort. And because I can!

Once we arrived in Dharm it was to Ladies Venture Guest House only to find everthing locked up. No worries though, we went to the rooftop and enjoyed the sunrise.



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After we checked in and settled our bags in our rooms we went for some food in the town. A truck full of shouting monks shot past us waving Tibetian flags in honor of Losar.



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Tibetians all over the world are not celebrating this holiday due to the number of tibetians slaughtered by Chinese last year. This small demonstration was shadowed by the 250 person strong procession that walked through the streets the next day, screaming, “Shame on China!” and, “Wake up World!” I’m sure that on the 10th of March I will be even more surprised. Some lunch was eaten and then I fell asleep!

A glorious 16 hours later I woke up a new man. With new energy in my body I woke up at 7:00 and headed to the roof to read The Reason For God by Timothy Keller, and take in the sunrise. Frank Prewitt gave me this book before I left and it is amazing. Full of inspiring information and motivating ideas, I can’t wait to finish it. Breakfast with Erin, sunburning, and philosophizing was how I spent the rest of the morning. Later in the day I went to an internet café to access the nets and ran into Tracy Joosten, a former teacher of mine when I was India in fall 2007. We spoke briefly and decided that we will meet up tomorrow for lunch and a proper reunion.
Essentially we are to NOW, at this exact moment in time. I hope no one has forgotten about me! I certainly keep you all in my thoughts here abroad. I’m totally open to any emails from everyone as it reminds me that home still exists and will be waiting for me when I get there. : ) Much love everyone!

Ole



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"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress." -Bruce Barton

Where is my mind?

I've sat looking at the blank screen for about five minutes. Last night was a 13 hour bus ride from Delhi to Dharm provided by the WORST bus driver on the planet. I had toast and much chai with Erin this morning, fell asleep on the roof in the sunshine, woke up shouting about work, and have since concluded that I need a full nights rest before I become human again! Ahh, India. : ) I have quite a few pictures to post soon. Incoheriency to the fullest extent.

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." -Mark Twain

Karol Bagh

We made it! After a collective 24 hours of flight and 40 hours of total travel time we are safe and sound in India. Amit picked us up in the faithful Gypsy and we blasted our way to Karol Bagh. My brain is off and I am having a hard time thinking of something to say, but tomorrow Erin and I will both be ready to make witty remarks for your reading pleasure. (with pictures!)

We're safe, no sweat.

Ole

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My Mom and Pops first Skype event.

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First morning in India.

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"Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think."
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

(New Jersey speak)

Erin and I made it to New Jersey safe and sound and are waiting to check our bags in so we can have a care free day in New York. I think we're both pretty tired so there won't be any witty remarks, but here is what we do have to say:

Ole - East coasters are quite different.

Erin - On my way to a bagel sandwich!
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Erin and me in a cafe in queens before we meet up with Frank.
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Ole, Frank, and Erin. Well, at least half of her! On the way to the subway then bus then plane then India. : )

Our flight leaves soon, people are lining up. Peace out friends!
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Peep it

Take a look at a few or all of these links.

http://tibetanuprising.org/

http://www.fireunderthesnow.com/

http://www.wisdompubs.org/Pages/display.lasso?-KeyValue=9&-Token.Action=&image=1

http://www.dalailama.com/

"Love love is gonna lead you by the hand
into a white and soundless place
Now we see things
as in a mirror dimly
then we shall see each other
face to face "
-John Darnielle

How many year VISA?

TEN (!)

As I sit in my stain glass class, more than half empty due to the awful February valley roads, I am becoming increasingly anxious about what is soon coming in the next few weeks. Paying of debts, buying last minute necessities, PACKING, repacking, finalizing my ideas and goals, re-repacking, getting in touch with some very important people..

India.
AHHHHH!!!!!!

I am feeling like a diver on his way to the bottom of the Mariana trench. While this is not my maiden dive I still have to be careful to ensure that I have all my tanks pressurized, valves checked, and that no poisonous water creatures detect what I had for lunch. Let's all hope that I ascend more slowly than last time? : )
(Comparison from Frank J. Prewit) (More or less))

After receiving my 10 year Indian Visa the only condition preventing me from leaving is the number of hours in 19 days.

"It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence." -W.K. Clifford

Twenty-eight days and counting

Camera - check
Water purifier - check
Intercontinental ticket - check
Passport - check
A plan - check?

In less than a month now, twenty eight days to be exact Erin and I will be on our way across the world to Dharmsala, India. For research, photos, learning, EXPERIENCE, and a different state of living.

Some examples of my work from the first adventure to India:



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Many many many MANY more to come.