Reflections From The Field

Journal Entry 1 - Eco Village to Bondilla

I've been in a desert environment since mid-February so it was strange to be in a rainforest with no transition or middle ground. The road from Eco Village to the Assam border progressively then suddenly gets worse and is more like a rocky path through treacherous mountains.

We pass many memorials and basic headstones of those unfortunate to wander off path and careen over cliffs edge, hundreds and even thousand feet to crush below. Our driver is a masochist and beats us up through one curve after another. Gas, brake, shift, tug at the wheel as if he was a child pretend driving, or every drivers ed instructor's nightmare. Becky dozes off and like a doll is tossed from side to side in the back of the jeep. We arrive, alive but some sickened and all tired from the journey to the monastery in Bondilla.

Bondilla quickly becomes everyone's favorite word. Said with an accent giving one the appearance of experience, of belonging somehow to a land, culture and time unfamiliar to us in the West.

Love,

Michael

Please donate to our efforts to provide healthcare and wellness education to families in need around the world.