The Monastery school was founded to teach cultural and communal education to disadvantaged children along the Mekong Valley. This is where our Head Monk lived and taught.

Another long hike…up a narrow, steep ridge…we were there…last stop on our trek. The monastery had built a new building just for guests which turned out to be us that night. Our room had many windows looking out on the prayer flags, fields, gardens, beautiful mountains around us….

our view

At night, I’d look out at the stars…. between nocturnal visits to use the “facilities”. There was never a need to get dressed since we slept in sweats, a wool hat, and hiking socks, topped off with three blankets. It’s cold, remember? Now, you grab a flashlight, go down the stairs, outside around the house, and around the corner to the outhouse. Then, back into the house, up stairs and bed.

ex-Marine recuperating

Ex-Marine insists I’m trying to kill him.

In the afternoon, Head Monk introduced us to his class of 15 students and, I did my world-famous rendition of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” I can also do a mean “Little Bunny Foo-Foo” (with gestures, of course). Since ex-Marine also knows these songs, we make a impressive duo. These songs are great for teaching children a few words in English, for common body parts…it’s something they can relate easily to.

Throughout the trip, our guides, couldn’t do enough for us. The Monk and trainee insisted on carrying our day packs the entire trip. We protested in the beginning, but soon realized that if we didn’t let them tote, there would be a need to carry us. They were always showing concern: Did we eat enough? Was the food ok? How did we feel? Were we too tired? Lobsang kept saying, “but why shouldn’t we take good care of you…you are my parents’ age.” As if we needed reminding……

Villagers would come to the Monastery, walk into our room, pull up a chair and sit…staring at us. Lobsang would translate any questions we had for them, or them, for us. I’m sure we looked like “Aliens from Another Planet.”

Even more, tomorrow…..