Join me on a Mystical Adventure Pilgrimage, Journeying into the Spiritual Heart of India
Oct 19 - Nov 6th
(Ellie Drew in Dharamsala, India '07)
We journey to Sikkim* - literally translated as "Heaven!" and its people called "the dearest people of Mother Earth." And to Dharamsala, India current home of the Dalai Lama and Tibetans in exile to bring Laptop Computers as part of our service to the Tibetans.
(see www.tibetangeeks.com/needs/ellie_group/ for how our laptop computer project has spread out into the comminity!)
We will journey from Los Angeles to Delhi, India to be greeted by my Indian friends Avnish and Ushi Puri and brought to their guesthouse. Avnish will introduce us to the Hindu culture through a Hidden Delhi Tour on bicycle rickshaws, including touring the Lakshmi Temple. From Delhi we travel by plane to Sikkim and take a 30 minute helicopter ride (hopefully!) or a 4 hour scenic drive, into Sikkim's capital city of Gangtok. We will travel in and around this rare treat for the next 4 days visiting monasteries, meditating with the monks, cultivating our own spiritual practices, doing Qigong and other practices out in nature, including the Sacred Forgiveness Ceremony. We will attempt to take a scenic helicopter tour into the remote areas of Sikkim.
From Sikkim we travel by car, train and plane to Dharamsala, home of the Tibetans in exile, to stay for two nights at the Norbulingka Institute** (at the Norling Guesthouse***). The beautiful Norbulingka Institute was created to preserve the Tibetan arts and culture while in exile. We will tour this facility, which is also within walking distance to a Tibetan Nunnery, and the Karmapa's Monastery. Norbulingka has a wonderful meditation suite for quiet study, prayer or teachings. Last year people wanted to stay in this quiet oasis so we will be staying for two nights.
From Lower Dharamsala we transfer to Upper Dharamsala (~40 minutes), also called McLeod Ganj, to the famous and beautifully hand-painted rooms of the Chonor House - only a five minute walk to the Dalai Lama's Temple! For the next 4-5 days we will explore and get to know the Tibetans in this small community walking nearly everywhere. We will deliver our laptop computers to the Tibetan Multi-Media Project (known locally as "Lobsang's Office."); walk the Kora (beautiful clockwise walk around the Dalai Lama's Temple); go to the Tibetan Children's Village, the Tibetan Center for Human Rights & Democracy; and much more. Local Tibetan teachers will come to Chonor House to teach and meditate with us. We will eat on the rooftop of "Nicks Cafe" overlooking the snow-encrusted Himalayan Mountains, and have plenty of free time to meditate, explore, get Tibetan massages, shop the local markets, eat international food, visit the local nunnery, or take a taxi to explore the mountain roads.
Space is limited to only 12 people, (including Gary and I) so call me ASAP to reserve your space on this mystical journey! I've included more information below about the trip details, and about the areas we will be touring. A final itinerary will forthcoming at some point. Details are still being worked out to find the best-of-the-best magic for this journey.
Detailed Conclusion:
1) I am targeting to LEAVE the US from LAX (Los Angeles) on Cathay Pacific Sunday Oct 19, returning Nov 6th.
2) Space limited to 10 people (+ Gary and I)
3) I can promise you a magical trip to India, including the magic and mystery of the Tibetans in Dharamsala, but I cannot guarantee an itinerary - it's India!
4) You MUST be a light traveler. (With gas prices rising luggage weight limits are lowering.)
5) You MUST be willing to participate in your own community to raise funds to bring over one new laptop computer (I can help give you guidelines on this exciting, tax deductible project.)
6) I am currently targeting the trip to cost around $4600.00. (Lots of in-country flights/travel + dropping US dollar since last year's trip is strengthening other currencies. also all around the world people are upping their prices to anyone coming in from the "Americas" thinking we are all "wealthy rich." - another reason to travel to these countries sooner rather than later as the world becomes more global. Last, high fuel surcharges are being added to all flights. If it is beyond what I've padded the cost for you'll have to cover it. One of those things in the Terms & Conditions Form-hopefully we are covered.)
7) Travel Insurance is Required. (You'll understand once you get to India and be glad for it!) A separate e-mail will be sent regarding the details on this.8) TIME FOR DEPOSITS: Please send a $1500 USD deposit (need to purchase airline tickets asap) made out to the Institute for Conscious Change (ICC). Payment schedules are included on the Registration Form. If you Canadians want to send your full price while the exchange rate is excellent you may do so. Send to:
Institute for Conscious Change (ICC)
c/o Ellie Drew
481 W. Greys Road
Tucson, Az 857379) Once you confirm, I will be sending two e-mail attachments. The first is a "Registration" Form. You may not be able to fill in some of the info like India Visa number, but please fill in what you can and I'll add to it as you get the information. The second is the "Terms & Conditions" Form. These BOTH must be signed and returned with your deposit. The "Terms" form is more of a formality to protect the ICC. Pretty basic legal stuff.
Please contact me on my personal cell phone number (not to be shared!) if you have any Q's about anything! (520-444-1560)
Blessings, Ellie
_____________________________________________* SIKKIM, INDIA: (good Web link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikkim
"Sikkim's original inhabitants are the Lepchas (literally "the dearest people of Mother Earth"), who call their land Ney Mayal Lyan, translated as "heaven." And how! Crammed in between Tibet ("China" on the map), Nepal, Bhutan, and West Bengal, this tiny mountainous state is as pristine a pocket of India as you are likely to encounter, with some 4,000 varieties of wildflowers (including 600 varieties of orchids), snow-fed lakes, high-altitude mountain forests, and hidden Buddhist monasteries. Sikkim's capital of Gangtok sits at 5,800 Ft, with a population of only 30,000, straddling a high ridge where houses and concrete blocks spill down the hillside; below is the Ranipul River. The town's most significant drawing card is the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which houses a collection of Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Lepcha manuscripts, as well as statues, Buddhist icons, masks, scrolls, musical instruments, jewelry, ornaments, incense burners, and beautiful thangkas (painted or embroidered tapestry wall hangings). Rumteck Monastery is the region's top attractions about 15 miles from Gangtok. It is regarded as the richest Buddhist monastic center in India and houses some of the wold's rarest and most unique religious artifacts. It is said to replicate that of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet.
** DHARAMSALA, INDIA: NORBULINGKA INSTITUTE - (current Web links are broken)
Norbulingka Institute provides training, employment and basic care for many qualified Tibetan refugees. Here, concerned individuals find a suitable environment and necessary resources to preserve and develop the Tibetan arts and literary tradition. We are a vibrant community living and working to protect our endangered culture under the watchful eyes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It was founded in 1988 by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in an effort to promote and preserve Tibetan culture in exile. The Norbulingka Institute comprises the Centre for Arts, the Academy of Tibetan Culture, the Literary and Cultural Research Centre, the Library and Publications.
***The Norling Guest House ensures the visitor's comfort with Western-style accommodation incorporating Tibetan designs. An atrium and surrounding gardens create a peaceful environment in which guests can relax and enjoy the beauty of the environment. The eight double rooms and two suites are equipped with 24-hour hot water, wall to wall carpeting, polished teakwood furniture and modern amenities.
Chonor House in Upper Dharamsala, or McLeod Ganj - (current Web links are broken)
