The first section of the Camino Frances (French Way). From Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona.
Camino Frances 2017: From SJPP – Pamplona
Camino Frances 2017: Preparations
What are the advantages of the Camino Frances over other Caminos? And why can it be beneficial to walk the Camino solo? Is it good to prepare for the Camino? These are some of the questions I explored a little in this blog post.
Camino Frances 2017: 1. History and modern times
We live in a time where globalisation, automatisation, acceleration dictate the markets, where people are under enormous pressure to perform, where human relationships are often rather superficial and fleeting, where there are happiness pills to make people more efficient and at the same time make them feel happy, regardless of whether body, spirit and soul... Continue Reading →
Kopan Monastery- November Course: Part 4. The top 10 things I learnt at Kopan monastery
We all know these days people like it easy and quick, especially when it comes to information. Sometimes easy and quick might be great, but sometimes it might also be beneficial to dig a bit deeper - to understand the underlying dynamics, to look at the bigger picture. But obviously in a time when we... Continue Reading →
Kopan Monastery – November course: part 3. Religious rituals and a bit of magic
One of the most fascinating things about living in a Tibetan monastery for one month certainly is to witness and attend different religious rituals and festivities. Now let me take you on a little magical journey... 1. Arrival of Lama Zopa Rinpoche The arrival of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, one of the founders of Kopan Monastery,... Continue Reading →
Kopan Monastery – November course: part 2. The course and life in a monastery
1,5 years have passed since I did the one month November course at Kopan monastery. For a little while I was wondering whether I would and/or even should finish this blog post - but going through my photos, my notes and even more important my memories I decided it would be a shame not to work through everything I... Continue Reading →
One month in a monastery – the good, the bad and the understanding there is no such thing – 1. Where it began
And then I finally did it. I had been thinking about this idea for quite a while. The November course at Kopan monastery. One month in a monastery in Nepal. Sounds exciting? boring? crazy? weird? Well, I came across all sorts of facial expression when I talked to people about my plan - including my... Continue Reading →
A Tibetan story – Interview in Dharamsala, December 2015
Interview with Phuntsok Tsering, approximately 78 years old (many Tibetans do not know their exact DOB). I came to India before 1959 - the year the Dalai Lama left Tibet and fled to India. In Tibet, I lived in Lhasa, the main city of Tibet. When I was there I was only a boy, but that time there were... Continue Reading →
The Karakoram Highway – stunning scenery, warm-hearted people and massive construction projects
Before coming to Kashgar I had never heard about the Karakoram Highway. This changed when one night in the hostel I met a lovely elderly British couple. They told me about their travels and mentioned that their recent trip to the Pakistan border along the Karakoram Highway was one of the most amazing things they have ever done... Continue Reading →
