An elderly woman approached me in the alley way on the side of the hotel where I stay. She had graying hair neatly combed with a red vail covering her head. The vail was shredded in places and golden sequins hung loosely, many had already fallen off probably years ago. The wrinkles on her face showed age and a life spent in the rice and potato fields. Wisdom emanated. She was a bit hunched and as she came close straighten the years out of her spine. She extended her hand and grabbed mine looking at me through hazy eyes, the beginnings of cataracts.
She somehow had heard I was going to Mt Kailash. I wondered how in this city of 1 million people she had found me. The urgency in her gaze tore through me, I could feel she was about to share something very important. She squeezed my hand and in broken english "You go Kailash?" A slow smile spreading across her face. Yes I answered excitedly. "Please.......Please put at Dolma La" The Dolma La is the 18,000 foot pass where every devout Hindu and Buddhist hope to cross in their life time. Offerings of money, clothing, pieces of hair, and photos are left here. It is believed that stepping through the pass enables one to have a good journey in the next life.
She put a wrinkled 5 rupee (the equivalent of 5 cents) note in my hand and squeezed. Holding on to my hand with both of hers now she repeated "Please............... Please" The pause between please are long. She gently began to squeeze harder and shake my hand up and down in a gesture of great peace and thankfulness, slowly lowers my hand, turns and walks into the fray.
She somehow had heard I was going to Mt Kailash. I wondered how in this city of 1 million people she had found me. The urgency in her gaze tore through me, I could feel she was about to share something very important. She squeezed my hand and in broken english "You go Kailash?" A slow smile spreading across her face. Yes I answered excitedly. "Please.......Please put at Dolma La" The Dolma La is the 18,000 foot pass where every devout Hindu and Buddhist hope to cross in their life time. Offerings of money, clothing, pieces of hair, and photos are left here. It is believed that stepping through the pass enables one to have a good journey in the next life.
She put a wrinkled 5 rupee (the equivalent of 5 cents) note in my hand and squeezed. Holding on to my hand with both of hers now she repeated "Please............... Please" The pause between please are long. She gently began to squeeze harder and shake my hand up and down in a gesture of great peace and thankfulness, slowly lowers my hand, turns and walks into the fray.
You lead a fascinating life, my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful little story. Blessings to you on your journey.
ReplyDelete~ Love, Caron