Buddhism to Bollywood

It has been quite some time since I posted, I have been non-stop since my arrival. However, quite a lot has happened since then. I have been teaching English at LHA, a non-profit organization that was established to assist the exiled Tibetans in this community to further their studies. My students range from 18-35 years old, definitely not the plan I originally had, but I absolutely love it! Would have never guessed that teaching would be so rewarding and a job I am completely fulfilled by. I start meeting students at 9am for private tutoring and finish around 6pm, often times I will carry on til 10, meeting them for dinner.

As previously mentioned, McLeod Ganj is home to thousands of exiled Tibetans and home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As I this town is becoming home, these people are becoming my friends, I am starting to take an intense desire to learn about the Tibetan issues as well as the culture. Making an attempt to learn the language, a little difficult when I am too busy, or just plain lazy. There have been two peaceful protests that I have attended, which my next post will be on the situation in Tibet, and stories behind the protests.
Last month, after a few months of traveling, the Dalai Lama returned to McLeod Ganj. Word had got out that his plane landed and he was on his way up the hill. The locals began to clean the streets by throwing buckets of water in the street. All along the road, pine branches and incense were burning, which made the road smokey, interesting tradition. After one hour of everyone scurrying to prepare for his passing, the caravan finally arrived. Tibetans held out white prayer scarfs, some kneeling down and others reciting Buddhist mantras. So I was looking at the wrong car, and the caravan was passing through too fast, so I missed the sight. Great pictures of the smoke and people, but no Dalai Lama.
The following day the teachings began. He gave them in Tibetan and we had an English translator, who you could hear eating during the time he was not translating and often times didnt complete his sentences. Honestly, I found Buddhism to be very confusing, but I am finding a real interest in the philosophy of this religion. Its the only that I found that focuses on compassion, the essence of human nature. It was also such at privilege to see the Dalai Lama, he has such an angelic face, not to mention a beautiful smile and contagious laugh.
The following week, a friend asked if a few of us would be interested in an all expense paid weekend to Chamba Valley. Yes, yes we would. The catch is we had to be extras in a Hindi movie. Oh a dream come true for me, maybe I can be a back up dancer. The producer came to pick us up and take us five hours to the movie set. Of course, I am in the one Hindi movie that does not have dancing. I forgot what it was called, but it starts in Pakistan where most drugs are made, and it follows the route all the way to California. SCENE: we are westerners in a hostel and the actors enter the room. My friend Harry was playing the gutair. Adam was rifling through his bag, and I had an intense game of go-fish with Lisa. Yup, that's my 2 minutes of fame. Hopefully I can put this on my resume and finally fulfill my dream to dance in a real Bollywood film.
Some time next week, I will finish my Tibetan issues post as well as stories from my visit to Nepal. Oh and as requested, I will get pictures of my students.