I’m a dog lover, but I shy away from petting street dogs. They could have fleas, mange, or snappy attitudes. Today was different though. A neighborhood mutt, a handsome chow mix, limped over to a group of us looking for help. He held his front paw up just high enough to get a look at it. We didn’t see anything too serious, but he definitely had a sore pad or toes.

Being a helping, healing bunch, we touched him – massaged his leg, scratched behind the ears. Actually, one of us had some arnica (I know, very Boulder), so we rubbed some of that around, too. As I sat next to him, he started to relax, and then gave me his paw. I’d massage his leg a bit, stop, and then the paw would float right back up. Then he started moving in for a hug, a snuggle. My little pampered dachshund, Quita, would have been very jealous. Was this dog trying to tell me something? I mean, I’m the only one on the trip who is not a massage therapist. But should I be? Could I be?

While working at BCMT over the last 7 years, I’ve taken a few continuing education classes, but I’ve never seriously considered studying massage. “Not this life time”, I tell people who suggest it. Hey, I’m already writing and dancing on the side. I think I’ve changed my mind. I would love, love to help dogs here – or anywhere – feel better.

You know, maybe this lifetime I should just do as much as I can. Life is precious, right? We’ve got to live it to the fullest. I wonder when the next BCMT canine certification program starts? – Carol B.

I speak English very well after 45 years of practice, and about 15 years as an ESL teacher.  I’m happy to report that  it’s coming in handy in Dharamsala. While the rest of the crew is teaching massage or introducing monks to their first massage, I’m talking – and listening. Turns out I listen pretty good.

Today a Buddhist nun, Sonam, made my day.  She was beaming just a few minutes into our chat when she realized I could understand what she was saying.”My English no good. Many teacher no understand.”  I didn’t realize I had any special skill, but I guess my ear has been trained by the hundreds of Asian, European, African and Latin America students I’ve taught over the years.

Tibetans like Sonam understand a lot, too. The teachers she’s referring to are volunteers – people from all over the world – who come to English conversation class at Gu Chu Sum (and several other locations throughout Dsala). The volunteers speak Australian, American, the Queen’s English, and some hybrid-English versions, too.

Sonam asked if I was coming back next year. “My English very good in one year,” she said. “I write to you. You come visit my nunnery.” That settles it. Massage for Peace, Dsala 2010 here we come. — Carol B.

One day in Dharamsala feels like a lifetime  – a sweet lifetime. Today Becky and I enjoyed the company of Tibetans at work: at the tiny Shop no 5, the Tibetan Artesans Coop, and the local Tibetan Children’s Village. Shopping for towels to solve a training challenge – a shortage of sheets and expensive laundry services – we sorted through the towel selection at Shop no 5. Actually, we cleaned the place out. We needed 22 towels – thin and quick to dry – and that’s exactly how many we found. It was a big purchase for the tiny establishment, and the shop owner, Tenzin, treated us to milk tea. We took photos (we’ll upload them when we get back to Boulder and quicker computers), and chatted with her and her mother and their smiling, dollfaced niece/granddaughter.

Our shopping spree was preceded by a huge morning – a visit to the local Tibetan Children’s Village. Our tour guide, Nyima, patiently answered our questions about its history and development. We were touched by her story and that of other Tibetan children who “lost” their parents when they set out for India via the Himalayan mountains and Nepal. Their parents loved them so much that they sent them away – to India – to seek out education and opportunities denied to them in their home country. A huge sacrifice for them and a huge gift for their children.

Back from our jaunt to TCV, we stopped by the Tibetan Artesans Coop to pay for the rugs we’d picked out the day before. The sales manager, Tsering, took note of our interest in the artistry that goes into creating the handwoven rugs, and offered to show us more of the workshop. We headed to the basement, and we were greeted by a roomful of spinners and weavers working on custom orders -all with Christmas deadlines. We hope we were a pleasant distraction for them rather than an annoyance.

We finished up our “work day” with an English conversation class at Lha. There were at least 40 Tibetans and volunteers packed into a 12 x 12 room. I was waved over by a couple of Buddhist monks. They were not what I expected. They were so easy to talk to although one asked me pointblank, “What does Buddhism mean to you?” I kept my answer short and sweet. A smile and a nod seemed to indicate I did alright.

If I had to use one word to describe a typical day for us in Dharamsala, it would be: abundant. Tomorrow’s another day and we are already counting our blessings. – Carol B.

This is the question that I’ve been asking myself about how I will fully describe our experience at the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV).   For me, it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life; one that I hope will change me forever.  Not fully understanding the flight of the Tibetans before coming here I feel that today has given me an inside look into the lives of those affected by this tragedy.  It also gave me a real experience in love, compassion and understanding.  These children are well cared for, happy and learning to be students of the world. Teachers would be a better way to describe them, teachers  that I feel we could all learn so very much from.

Despite their separation from family and treacherous journey through the Himalayas to freedom TCV is educating each and every child to be a servant of the world.  There is no entitlement here; what we find here is simply a chance to live a life of freedom and opportunity. To give back through their education, to give thanks for their blessings and understand that there is good in all, even the injustices of the world.  The level of acceptance that I witnessed today was overwhelming.  With over 1,000 children living at the TCV location we visited; financial support is a must from the outside world.

We were given a personal tour by Niyma who is one of the people in charge of sponsorship.  She was quite gracious in answering our questions and providing much insight into the once devastating but now beautiful lives of these children.  TCV was breathtaking;  situated on the side of a mountain it is pristine in its cleanliness and surrounded by inspirational messages and vibrant gardens.  We visited the homes of the children, saw their toothbrushes, face clothes and shoes.  Read letters to their parents posted on the walls, parents whom they will most likely never see again.  We visited the ‘baby home’ and held back tears of joy as we entered the nursery of cobalt cribs each comforted with a stuffed animal and pink blankets.  One of the cribs revealed a sleeping baby whose breath I will never forget the sound of.  There were a few of the younger children in the courtyards with their house mothers.

We stood high upon one of the verandas and watched the older kids play in the school yard; soccer, badminton, table tennis; laughing and playing like all children should.  Among them were their canine comrades sinking up the joy and living off the message of hope.

A message that I’m not sure I will ever fully process and an experience that I can only hope will change me forever.

Where to begin? Where to end?  I have no answer to these questions, but what I know for sure is that today, I learned about beauty.

Woke up early to the daily call of the wild from the locals;  King Fishers, dogs, cows, and Buddhist monks praying in the streets.  I think after only two days we all look forward to our morning call, just as much as the espressos and ginger lemon tea that Tsering is making us each day.  I’m thinking I may start calling back, just can’t decide on if it will be a howl, caw, moo or chant.  Like with everything here, we’ll just have to see what is meant to be.

Today is the first day of teaching at Lha – we met the advanced students who greeted us with big smailes and grateful blessings.  I’m heading over for the afternoon teaching shift and feel so blessed to be able to join in on the instructions.  The morning class are the  advanced students who have already been through Maria’s training.  The afternoon students are the beginners whose hearts and hands will begin to mold their new skill this week.  I know that I speak for the entire team when I say we look forward to seeing each and every student evolve through the teachings.  I feel that we have all learned so much from our local friends already and now it is simply our turn to give back to them.  I’m sure that we will walk away from this experience will even more than we already have.

Namaste from Dsala day 3.

Today was a the day to see monkeys — baby ones, baboon lookalikes, and some standard issue swinging from branches ones. We oohed, aahed, and picked up our monkey sticks having been forewarned they may not be friendly. The cows, however, are a docile bunch; the goats cruise the countryside and congested alleyways; the dogs doze, beg, and bark with abandon; and goldeny white birds soar above it all.  The locals don’t blink an eye while we snap photos incessantly. It’s sweet to see the coexistence of so many creatures.

We had a full to the brim day. A few of us sought meditation and quiet, taking in the chanting of  the monks at the Dalai Lama’s complex. Others let loose with the rupees snapping up bargains from the tiny, chockful-of-colorful- wares roadside stands. We feel at home but stick out like sore thumbs. An Indian woman asked if we would pose for a photo with her. Apparently, our backpacks, cameras, water bottles and REI wear are as exotic to Indians as saris, henna, and bindis are to us.

Tomorrow is our first day of training. We are a bit nervous not knowing much about our students or the training facility. One thing we know for sure: the people we meet will be lovely, gracious, and full of gratitude. — Carol B.

We’re getting spoiled already by the savory local cuisine (Ashoka’s is scrumptious and shockingly inexpensive) and the warm, friendly people.  Upon arrival in Dharamsala, we were treated to a tour by our gracious host, Tsering.  We now have a pretty good idea of the layout of this bustling yet peaceful village at the top of the world.

It’s truly surreal here. Astonishing height and dropoffs, fog, lush landscape, and monks chanting in the distance at the main temple at the Dalai Lama’s complex. We hear he’s leaving town tomorrow and our amazingly attentive host promises to let us know where/when we should hang out to see him pass by.

Serene. Dsala is serene even though mopeds and taxis beep incessantly as they careen through the foot traffic, beautiful cows, and spaced out tourists.  The pace is slow and quick at the same time. Duality in concrete terms.

We are  settling in for the night – or the day. We’re still a bit turned around by the 11.5 hour time difference. With full bellies, and gratitude in our hearts, we’ll chat and read, and ready ourselves for a full day in this special place. Carol B

The Massage for Peace (MFP) crew arrived safely last night in Delhi, India.  After a 14 hour flight, some sleep, good food and a few laps around the plane we were ready to take on a new country.  An adventurous cab ride brought us to the Hotel Green Clarke around 9:30pm local time.

The experience at the airport was nothing less than what we expected.  Many, many people trying to get different places all at the same time.  It is illegal to take photos from inside the airport but we got a few from the curb.  Internet connection is a bit slow but hopefully we’ll be uploading photos soon.

Feeling rested this morning, we enjoyed instant coffee and local cuisine at the hotel.  Heading to Dharamsala this afternoon will take in the beautiful sites of the grounds this morning before taking a deep breath and getting back in the cab for another colorful ride.

What does Massage for Peace mean to you?
It means a chance for a lighter world, hope for future community and the possibility of compassion from all, for all.

What do you hope to take away from your experience in India?
My life has been filled with many blessings, so many that I would never be able to quantify the beautiful existence I’ve been given.  This trip is an opportunity for me to share those blessings and give back to those less fortunate than I.  Although as I go into this journey I know that I will receive many intangibles from the spirituality of the Tibetan culture.   So my biggest hope is to exchange loving thoughts with those I come in contact with, help to make a difference in at least one person’s life and return to my life in America with a higher level of compassion that will stay with me forever.

What’s the furthest you’ve traveled before?
I was the lucky girl whose college roommate lived in Jamaica and was invited to visit.

What does Massage for Peace mean to you?
Massage has ancient roots as a sacred healing art. It’s a vocation, and the people who choose it as their profession deeply care about helping others. Massage – in the service of peace – is the highest practice of this healing art. While I’m not a massage therapist, this intention really resonates for me. I guess that’s why I took on the role of Massage for Peace Coordinator – to support the BCMT community in expanding the reach of its helping hands.

What do you hope to take away from your experience in India?
I’m always up for experiences that can shift my consciousness, open my heart, and expand my world view. I guess you could say I have huge expectations for this trip! I’m also hoping to do lots of English tutoring. One of my career incarnations was ESL instruction and program development.

What’s the furthest you’ve traveled before?
My husband and I lived in Spain for nearly 3 years, and travelled all over Europe as well as Gibraltar and Morocco. Our latest trips have taken us south to Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil.