5:00 to 7:30 AM Day is begun. Wake to the clamor of Kathmandu…
8:00 to 8:30 AM: Team gathers in Nirvana Gardens for morning meditation session. Brass bells open and close the session.
8:30 to 10:00 AM: Buffet breakfast, video editing, writing, emailing…
10:00 AM: Depart for Pharping meditation caves.
10:00 to 11:00 AM: Lush green. Winding congested road to Pharping. Dense humid air. Eight bodies leaning this way and that, taking long deep draughts of the new landscape and colors.
11:00 to 11:30 AM: First Guru Rinpoche Cave- Murky fish ponds. Blurry blend of Buddhist and Hindu temples. Dark space, heavy air, butter lamps for sale.
11:30 to 12:30 PM: Momo’s and a green wall.
12:30 to 3:30 PM: Second Guru Rinpoche Cave- Chanting child monks. Steps to the cave. Less dark space, less heavy air, nothing for sale. Chanting Tibetan nuns. Interview with gregarious monk. Flags and prayers strung up high.
3:30 to 4:00 PM: Winding congested road to Swayambunath.
4:00 to 5:30 PM: Steps upon steps. Salesmen upon salesmen. Monkeys upon monkeys. Setting sun, sprawling city, flags and prayers strung up high.
5:30 to 6:00 PM: Winding congested road to Nirvana Garden hotel.
6:00 to 7:00 PM: Review footage, download and backup files, gather notes, jot down impressions, shower.
7:00 to 7:30 PM: Team meeting.
7:30 to 9:00 PM: Dinner in the garden. Drinking in the garden.
10:00 PM: Day is done. To bed with the clamor of Kathmandu.
(Photos by Jon Schechner)