I woke up with my left foot hurting even worse. Fortunately, I’ve experienced this before. I took Aleve and Advil. And after standing and walking for a few minutes, it got better. There is still rain in the forecast but there will be clear skies throughout. I decided to go to Dharamkot. Pole, pole — I remember the admonition as we climbed Kilimanjaro. It didn’t take too long to get to Dharamkot even with my condition. Found a place to eat — Trek and Dine. Cool vibe. Good coffee and food. I walked around Dharamkot. It was drizzling. Very laidback town. And it’s low season so not too many people. I came across an Indian wedding. Views are fantastic. I keep thinking of Baguio — as it probably was in the 60s.

I went to the pottery studio. It looks promising and I agreed to do a class tomorrow.
I ended up back at Trek and Dine and continued reading The Manual of Insight. And the rain started again and lasted sometime. Perfect chill time. The chapter I read describes the stages of insight. Quite procedural and structured. It makes me hopeful. But it definitely is not simple. I have to read it again.

I read Remnick’s profile of Leonard Cohen. Beautiful piece about an extraordinary life. I really get Cohen. I’m fascinated by him. I love the way he uses words and his thoughts. His humility, inner life and melancholy speak deeply to me. The episode with Marianne when they were young and as she was dying just pulled on heartstrings. With the song So Long, Marianne in the background, it is heartbreaking.

It made me wistful of people I love and will not see again. It made me think of a dear friend’s farewell letter and read it again. My heart breaks. Love love the writing and the message.

I went back down to McLlo through the longer route. It wasn’t as hard as I expected given my foot condition.

I finally ate Tingmo (Tibetan steam bread — like siopao but with nothing inside).
I should start practicing the noting method all through the day.

I went to Amrit’s shop and finally got the Wheel of Life thangka painting. Craving!