I never thought I would be in such a beatuful and peaceful place, but then again I keep telling myself about many of the places we've visited so far in India. We arrived in Bir, in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday. We are attending a youth jam called Sharing Our Gifts and Priveleges for Social Change at the Deer Park Institute, in the foothills of the Himalayas. We are staying at a former buddhist monastery that is now a retreat and learning center. The local villages are intermixed with monasteries and many Tibetans also inhabit the towns. Prayer flags fly over every building. It is so majestic to walk outside every morning to see the sun warming the face of the himalayas.

there are about 30 people attending the youth jam from all over india, and one woman from france...and it isnt exactly a youth jam as the ages span from 19 to 50 or 60. everyone has been so welcoming and open in sharing with us...i wish we could take them with us through the rest of our travels. so far we have been reflecting and discussing a lot about what privelege and generosity actually is, what it means to different people and how it affects people.

all of the attendees are doing such great work around the country either with children, the environment, the arts, education....and the list goes on. so we are getting some great ideas about how to spend the rest of our time in india.

so we'll be spending thanksgiving and my birthday here in such a beautiful place surrounded by amazing people. enjoy the thanksgiving holiday!

peace and love,
kasey