Saturday, May 12, Darjeeling

Tibetan Refugee Camp

Carding wool

Prayer wheels

Weaving

Himalayan Bear

Red Panda

There was an interesting guest at North Point who stopped by our breakfast table: the brother of Fr. Kinley, making him a prince of the royal family of Bhutan. He invited us to apply for jobs as teachers in Bhutan and gave us a book, Gross NationalHappiness of Bhutan.

The North Point group came to Loreto Convent to say goodbye to Sister Banisha and Lily who were returning to Panigata. Mr. Aloke had arranged for a jeep to take us to the Tibetan Refugee Camp. Many of the older residents were part of the 1959 exodus after the Chinese occupation. We walked around the workshops where the artisans were spinning, dying, weaving, and woodworking. We saw rows of large prayer wheels, large drums that you spin clockwise. They have the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra inscribed on it and in it. The idea of the prayer wheel is that turning the wheel is an act of prayer that is sent out into the world, making it more holy. That is also the idea of the many coloured prayer flags that also have the mantra written on it. The winds take the prayers to make the world more blessed. There is also a photo exhibit which tells the tragic and fascinating story of the Tibetan refugees.

We were then taken to the Himalayan Mountain Institute (HMI) which lies within the zoo. We saw many of the local animal species including leopard, yak, Himalayan wolf, Himalayan bear and red panda. The main exhibit at HMI was overseen by Tenzing Norgay until his death in 1986. It celebrates and chronicles the conquest of Everest in 1953 by Hilary and Norgay. It also displays climbing gear and mementos from various climbing exhibitions.

On returning to Loreto, Jan and Les received terrible news from Jane. Sr. Elizabeth, principal of St. Teresa’s School had died late this morning. She had died from heart failure due to complications from diabetes. Her  body was brought to the community room at the Convent. She was a well loved and a well respected leader. At 52 years old, she had left a considerable legacy. Fr. Santy announced her death at lunch at North Point.

Vistitors prayed, sang hymns, and laid khadahs  (Nepalese scarves)on her body. Her funeral will be held on Monday May 14, the same date as Les’ grandmother and Sarah’s great-grandmother.

The afternoon was free. Some of us walked different parts of the town, sightseeing and shopping. We are settling into the routine of being back at our respective residences by 6 to 7pm and having dinner. At North Point, the bedtime routine with the young ones continues. On this evening, the Loreto group prayed around Sr. Elizabeth’s coffin with the sisters and the students from St. Teresa who stay at a hostel.

Michelle wasn’t feeling well. She was throwing up and feeling quite upset. We eventually persuaded her to go to the local hospital to get checked out. Along with Fr. Santy, Sr. Sabrina and the nurses from North Point and Loreto, Michelle was taken to the hospital. She was discharged at 2am. Quite a day.