India

I'm in Kathmandu now getting settled, but I thought I'd post some pictures from India. I landed in Delhi and went to Majnu ka Tila, the Tibetan refugee area. Unfortunately, I arrived at just before midnight and all the hotels and guest houses were completely full. Lucky for me I met a Tibetan guy who let me stay in his room. It was a small, unheated place no bigger than 8' by 8' but 4 Tibetans were living there - but it beat staying out on the street!

I took the train to Varanasi from Delhi and the train arrived about 10 hours late and by the time we got to Varanasi it was a bit over 26 hours late. I was later told that the trains are late because the track switching is done manually and in the thick fog of winter, they cannot see the signals. When they can't see they have to stop the train to go check the signals.

I arrived just in time to crash the Tengyur Translation Conference in Sarnath and talk to some people about my research.  The conference was interesting and I got to meet a lot of people. I also managed to visit the site of the Buddha's first teaching and catch a glimpse of HHDL before I left!  Anyway, here are the photos:

Trying to sleep on the train. I didn't bring a blanket so I had to use my towel!

The hotel in Sarnath. Looked like a level from some zombie first-person shooter

On the train

Me and a guy from the train

Riding in a tuk-tuk

At a Hanuman shrine

Sarnath

I finally made it to Sarnath, India.  It's the place of the Buddha's first teachings.  My train from Delhi was a little over 26 hours late though.  It was about 10 hours late arriving and had to make frequent stops (they say because of the thick fog).  Anyway, I've surely missed my chance to meet with the professor I waned to meet here, but I'm taking the chance to visit the places.  I visited a Jain temple for the first time and learned about their intense practices (going naked, not eating, etc).  The monk at the temple had lots of photos to show me.

The train ride was really really cold.  I was used to the (comparable) luxury of Chinese trains, which do not have open windows and provide a blanket for sleeper cars.  Luckily, a Tibetan family lent me a blanket the second night.  Together with my towel and jacket, it made for a not too chilly night.

I leave for Kathmandu on the 11th and I hope I can settle into a nice routine there (and post some photos too!).

A man of means by no means ...

I made it to Delhi and I'm staying in Majnu ka Tila, which is the Tibetan area.  I didn't know that winter is high tourist season so when I arrived at midnight all of the hotels were full.  Lukcy for me I met a Tibetan guy who let me stay in his room.  It's a small room (maybe 10' x 10') with four Tibetan guys living in it.  Without them I'd be out on the street!

Tonight I take a train to Varanasi.  From there I'll make my way to Kathmandu.