I met Tibetans...in SF

It was semi-emotional leaving my parents at the airport. I tried really hard NOT to cry, cause I have been majorly emo the past couple weeks and the day I left. Happy, sad, excited, nervous, family drama all mixed in. So...I'm there, about to walk through security and I hug my dad. I know my dad isn't going to cry so we hug, when I pull back there are tears in his eyes, and he's doing that weird thing with his mouth that babies do when they're about to wail. GREAT! So he's about to cry and now I'm going to cry, my mom sees me about to cry, and she starts to cry. Dammit! You know what happens.

I am now in San Francisco staying with my brother Brian for one night. Recently, Brian has started pro-bono work for a Tibetan Temple located in SF, there is a nun named Taoroung there who is my Grandmothers God Daughter. My grandmother is a nun in South China, she has her own temple. My brother told them that I was traveling in Nepal, Tibet, and India, also finding volunteer work. They said I can come visit them while I'm in SF, and they can tell me what I need to know about those countries. When I got there Taoroung was waiting on the porch, with her robe, and shaved head. I walk into their home and take off my shoes. She lifts a door curtain and inside is a tea room with a low table, sitting pillows, and 2 Tibetans internet surfing. We introduce ourselves and they recognize that I am the little sister that wants to volunteer in Asia. I am fed strawberries and Indian Tea. One of the Tibetans, Rinchen (a real Lama), tells me that this is probably my first Indian Tea at the beginning of my journey, and that we should toast.



On and on they tell me where to go, who to talk to, how to be safe, Tibetan phrases (they gave me an old phrasebook). They changed my whole entire outlook in Nepal. One of the Tibetans told me that they have an orphanage in Kathmandu, poor kids, no parents, and no volunteers. Just like the film "Slumdog Millionare." Now I feel that I should visit their orphanage and compare to the program that I already joined. But, it's best if I go there and see how it is. Get use to my surroundings. Understand what's going on and make a rational decision to switch.

I am so grateful that I met these wonderful people. They helped me so much and gave me A LOT of information that is overwhelming for me to take notes. Gondo, the main monk, asked what is my motivation to volunteer. I just froze, my mind went blank for a second, everything that I had told my friends/family prior to this trip on why I want to do this couldn't come out. Instead I said "this is my calling, I don't know why it is, but it is, and I have to do it." Gondo said my motivation is beautiful. This makes me humble. On my way out, I take a quick group photo, and bow to Buddha. There is no word to say 'goodbye' in Tibetan, so I say 'thugje che' (tu-gia-chay) which means Thank You, and a bow.




I am leaving tomorrow at 12:30 pm to Hong Kong. Can't wait.