All of these entries are dedicated to Adam Zilinskas. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful friend. A gentle soul and a compassionate being. I am honoured to have been able to meet him–if only for 18 days.

He died before reaching home. I sat next to him at dinner on Saturday. I never got to say goodbye.

“Oh Child of Buddha Nature, the time has now come for you to seek a path. Pure inner radiance, reality itself, is now arising before you. Recognize it! O, Child of Buddha Nature, this radiant essence that is now your concious awareness is a brilliant emptiness.”

Day Two–Delhi, Red Fort, Chandi Chowk Spice Market

It doesn’t feel like I’m here yet at all. Woke up at 9am and had a quick and cold wash with a bucket and jug (have to conserve water wherever we can) and then ate breakfast. Met all of the rest of the group; Claire from NY, Ju Lee from Malaysia, Adam from Seattle, Maggie from B.C. and Janalee from CA (I think) and Anne from Chicago.

After breakfast we took rickshaws to Red Fort (Lal Qil’ah), an old Mughal era fort. Built by Shah Jahan in the 1700’s. It’s beautiful. but also very hot. We were greeted by intense security–scanners, pat-downs, and soldiers with guns around every corner… it did make me wonder why?

After a while I did get used to them even though it was disconcerting at first!

There are huge Bodhi trees everywhere filled with parrots and chipmunks and miner birds. Clusters of people huddle gratefully in the shade before tumbling back out into the vapid heat.

but also many people asking for money, or trying to sell some nicknack or other. At first it was interesting, but it soon became very annoying. After the fort we resumed the rickshaw ride and visited a Sikh temple in the center of Delhi.