i’m sitting here quietly on my deck. It’s early morning and the wind is making our chimes sing softly. I just read your piece and I’m thinking that it’s amazing that there is a world so far away that is not bothered by the drama and tragedy that’s going on in the world in which we live every day. It’s a confusing paradigm or perhaps a dichotomy is a better descriptor. But once again you have given me the ability to transport to someplace so totally different from where I spend my days and it allows me to spend just a few moments imagining something quite different.
Robin, I can just picture you sitting out there listening to your wind chimes. Thank you for sharing that peaceful interlude with me.
Both of those words feel like accurate descriptions; it's such a difficult world right now. It means so much to me that, for a few moments, you were able to step into another experience. Thank you.
I love the way the ever-distractable part of your brain was calmed before you were permitted to enter the complex. With your cameras and devices behind you, you were prepared to absorb the magic of the parallel universe of Tigers' Nest — and you did so beautifully, eyes wide open. Your writing is increasingly atmospheric, painting an evermore vivid portrait of the compelling new worlds you explore. Your fascination,, compassion and curiosity shine through in every paragraph.., never with judgment, always with reverence and admiration. Thanks for sharing these singular experiences, their value is universal.
Jeff, thank you so much; your comments mean a great deal to me. It's been quite a journey, as a traveler and a writer - although it still feels a little odd to refer to myself as such :) I'm incredibly grateful for your encouragement and that you've been there along the way!
Amazing! You painted a marvelous picture with your words, using all of the senses brilliantly. You are so good at this! You seem to have a very quiet mind that is soaking up all of the stimuli. My noisy brain could never capture all of these details. Thanks for taking us inside with you.
Hi Carl! Thank you for such a kind, thoughtful comment! Honestly, I go in and out of the quiet mind -- I've sometimes felt like there's this other part that chatters incessantly, and I need to pat it on the head and ask it to please quietly sit down. :) Thank you so much for reading.
And here is it, your experience inside Tiger’s Nest! Thank you so very much, Laurel, for sharing it in your wonderful words, that transported me in a place I could see, hear and smell while reading! I could sense your desire to linger a little longer and not let you be torn away from this magic, and I could feel your regret at having to begin the descent. May you be blessed!
Hello Susanna! Your comment makes me so happy, I'm really glad that you enjoyed it. Sending blessings to you, and thank you so much for venturing inside with me!
Beautiful how you took me there! Being made to hand over the camera is its own kind of gift. And you record it the only way that truly lasts: with your whole body; you'll still hear those dungchens. I know that trade from my own time in the Himalaya. The unphotographed moments are the ones that stay.
Hello Pamela! Thank you; that's a wonderful observation: 'unphotographed moments are the ones that stay'. It was a little hard to hand over my camera, but in the end, it did feel like a gift.
A beautifully evocative description of Tiger's Nest Monastery, Laurel. Such a privilege to have visited - and to have witnessed what sounds like a puja for Guru Rinpoche! You are so right that this is much more than merely a place. Thank you for sharing the shift in awareness it nudged in you - very special!
Hi Laurel, What a wonderful tale of your visit to the Tigers Nest. You certainly captured the moment beautifully and I was right there with you.
The things that amazed me most are the smells and aromas. The smell of Yak dung burning, the old wood on the stairs polished shiny after thousands of feet crossing it on a daily basis. Even the wood permeates a beautiful smell.
Oh how I wish I could go back there. Did you try their Momos and Chile Cheese.
It is just such a special place. On a Sunday watching them practice their archery in town was special too.
Hello, dear Peter! I'm so glad you were there with me; that makes my heart happy! You also just reminded me how different the smells were as well, another unique experience.
I only got to see a tiny bit of the archery, and not an actual game, but even that was special. And I loved the Chile Cheese and the Momos; the flavors were fantastic.
I could talk about Bhutan all day. It was so special. I am glad you enjoyed it. Did you notice the marijuana growing wild on the sides of the roads even in town? I didn’t until a couple of American ladies on our tour gave me some to share my apple brandy I purchased. It was only then, that I started noticing it. I am sure the people there smoke it quite a bit.
I hope you have many flights booked to new places. I can’t wait to read your words and look
Thank you my Dear, I think I would like to know more about places like Thailand, India closer to the Andes. Tibet of course.. Patagonia, Ireland, IceLand and Seattle. I love what I see on British Colombia. My sister had a friend in Seattle who used to send her a magazine on British Columbia which I would get to read third hand.
Hi Peter! Those are all places that are at the top of my list, the only one I’ve been to so far is Thailand (and Seattle/BC), and I did want to write about that as well.
I used to fly from Seattle to BC pretty regularly, but I never had enough time on the ground to explore, that makes me want to go back. It’s beautiful up there.
i’m sitting here quietly on my deck. It’s early morning and the wind is making our chimes sing softly. I just read your piece and I’m thinking that it’s amazing that there is a world so far away that is not bothered by the drama and tragedy that’s going on in the world in which we live every day. It’s a confusing paradigm or perhaps a dichotomy is a better descriptor. But once again you have given me the ability to transport to someplace so totally different from where I spend my days and it allows me to spend just a few moments imagining something quite different.
Robin, I can just picture you sitting out there listening to your wind chimes. Thank you for sharing that peaceful interlude with me.
Both of those words feel like accurate descriptions; it's such a difficult world right now. It means so much to me that, for a few moments, you were able to step into another experience. Thank you.
How can this little planet hold all these immense worlds? Thank you for taking us on this most fantastic journey.
Paul, what a lovely image! It's truly amazing how many different worlds and experiences there are. Thank you for journeying with me.
A lovely and vivid description of your visit to the Tiger’s Nest, quite an experience.🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, Helen!
Laurel it is as if I were there with you!
Wow wow wow thank you for sharing this amazing day with me. I could feel the quiet and hear the sounds!
Hi Ginny, I'm so glad to hear that, thank you!
I love the way the ever-distractable part of your brain was calmed before you were permitted to enter the complex. With your cameras and devices behind you, you were prepared to absorb the magic of the parallel universe of Tigers' Nest — and you did so beautifully, eyes wide open. Your writing is increasingly atmospheric, painting an evermore vivid portrait of the compelling new worlds you explore. Your fascination,, compassion and curiosity shine through in every paragraph.., never with judgment, always with reverence and admiration. Thanks for sharing these singular experiences, their value is universal.
Jeff, thank you so much; your comments mean a great deal to me. It's been quite a journey, as a traveler and a writer - although it still feels a little odd to refer to myself as such :) I'm incredibly grateful for your encouragement and that you've been there along the way!
Amazing! You painted a marvelous picture with your words, using all of the senses brilliantly. You are so good at this! You seem to have a very quiet mind that is soaking up all of the stimuli. My noisy brain could never capture all of these details. Thanks for taking us inside with you.
Hi Carl! Thank you for such a kind, thoughtful comment! Honestly, I go in and out of the quiet mind -- I've sometimes felt like there's this other part that chatters incessantly, and I need to pat it on the head and ask it to please quietly sit down. :) Thank you so much for reading.
Laurel, thank you for sharing 🌺
Hi Dötte! Thank you!
And here is it, your experience inside Tiger’s Nest! Thank you so very much, Laurel, for sharing it in your wonderful words, that transported me in a place I could see, hear and smell while reading! I could sense your desire to linger a little longer and not let you be torn away from this magic, and I could feel your regret at having to begin the descent. May you be blessed!
Hello Susanna! Your comment makes me so happy, I'm really glad that you enjoyed it. Sending blessings to you, and thank you so much for venturing inside with me!
Beautiful how you took me there! Being made to hand over the camera is its own kind of gift. And you record it the only way that truly lasts: with your whole body; you'll still hear those dungchens. I know that trade from my own time in the Himalaya. The unphotographed moments are the ones that stay.
Hello Pamela! Thank you; that's a wonderful observation: 'unphotographed moments are the ones that stay'. It was a little hard to hand over my camera, but in the end, it did feel like a gift.
A beautifully evocative description of Tiger's Nest Monastery, Laurel. Such a privilege to have visited - and to have witnessed what sounds like a puja for Guru Rinpoche! You are so right that this is much more than merely a place. Thank you for sharing the shift in awareness it nudged in you - very special!
Dearest David! Thank you; it truly was a privilege and will stay with me. Thank you for reminding me to be open to seeing such precious moments.
Hi Laurel, What a wonderful tale of your visit to the Tigers Nest. You certainly captured the moment beautifully and I was right there with you.
The things that amazed me most are the smells and aromas. The smell of Yak dung burning, the old wood on the stairs polished shiny after thousands of feet crossing it on a daily basis. Even the wood permeates a beautiful smell.
Oh how I wish I could go back there. Did you try their Momos and Chile Cheese.
It is just such a special place. On a Sunday watching them practice their archery in town was special too.
Thank you 😊
Hello, dear Peter! I'm so glad you were there with me; that makes my heart happy! You also just reminded me how different the smells were as well, another unique experience.
I only got to see a tiny bit of the archery, and not an actual game, but even that was special. And I loved the Chile Cheese and the Momos; the flavors were fantastic.
Thank you so much for sharing your memories!
I could talk about Bhutan all day. It was so special. I am glad you enjoyed it. Did you notice the marijuana growing wild on the sides of the roads even in town? I didn’t until a couple of American ladies on our tour gave me some to share my apple brandy I purchased. It was only then, that I started noticing it. I am sure the people there smoke it quite a bit.
I hope you have many flights booked to new places. I can’t wait to read your words and look
At your pictures. Take care
I didn’t realize that! There was one place, it was pointed out to us growing wild, but I don’t recall seeing it again after that. Interesting!
Thank you much, it’s inspiring to be able to share the experiences of these places. If you could request a place to read about, what would it be?
Thank you my Dear, I think I would like to know more about places like Thailand, India closer to the Andes. Tibet of course.. Patagonia, Ireland, IceLand and Seattle. I love what I see on British Colombia. My sister had a friend in Seattle who used to send her a magazine on British Columbia which I would get to read third hand.
Whst ever plus you flying tales.
Hi Peter! Those are all places that are at the top of my list, the only one I’ve been to so far is Thailand (and Seattle/BC), and I did want to write about that as well.
I used to fly from Seattle to BC pretty regularly, but I never had enough time on the ground to explore, that makes me want to go back. It’s beautiful up there.
Thank you so much for your input!
I am sure you will get to them some day. More on India would be great.
Did you fly Dril Airways into Parow? Quite something close to those mountains on the final turn to land.
Stay safe, fly right!