AT THE EDGE OF SILENCE

 Arrival at Dhamma Shringar

The road here was nothing like I expected.

Nepal roads don’t follow rules the way I’m used to.

No traffic lights.

No neat order.

Just drivers reading the flow, taking chances, trusting instinct.

At times it felt chaotic, even scary.

The driver would fasten his seatbelt… then release it… then fasten it again.

I found myself watching the road closely, half amused, half alert, reminding myself to breathe. 😂

In the taxi with me was a couple from the USA. We exchanged a simple hello, where-we’re-from and then drifted into quiet. My attention returned to the road, because here, the road demands presence.

And then, before reaching the centre, I saw it.

The stupa.

Simple. Still. Grounded.

Like a Buddhist temple rising calmly out of everything unpredictable around it.

My heart softened instantly.

Something in me knew: this is where I’m meant to be.

Registration was smooth. There are many participants, more than I imagined; all gathered here with their own stories, their own reasons, their own quiet hopes. 

I haven’t yet deposited my valuables; I stepped away briefly to the office to get their wifi to send this final message while I still can. 

The next ten days will be lived without words, screens or outward connection.

Just me.

My breath.

And whatever reveals itself in the silence.

The day has eventually come, not with drama, but with quiet certainty.

I feel ready.

Not fearless but willing.

If the road here taught me anything, it’s this:

You don’t control the journey.

You meet it, moment by moment, with awareness.

Now, I step into stillness. 🙏🏻✨🙏🏻

POSTSCRIPT - A WARM GOODBYE

Just before leaving, Stacy returned.

No words rehearsed, no awkward pause, just open arms and a smile.

“I want to give you a hug,” she said.

And we did. A proper, wholehearted hug; the kind that warms you from the inside out, especially in this cold. 

We wished each other well, laughed about journeys and timing and then she was off to her class.

It was brief, simple and perfect.

In a place where everything feels unfamiliar, that hug felt deeply human. 

A reminder that sometimes, before entering silence, life offers you one last moment of connection - soft, warm, and exactly what you need.

(Also… in Nepal winter, hugs might officially count as essential gear. 🥶😂)

See you soon! ❤️🤗❤️

THE DAY BEFORE SILENCE

14 December 2025

Cold Nights, Warm Hearts & Quiet Alignment 

Last night taught me one very important thing:

Nepal winter is not joking. 😂

The room was so cold it caught me completely off guard. I switched off the air-conditioning, but the chill lingered anyway; deep, sharp and unapologetic. 

I layered up, slipped into warm socks, fixed heating plasters onto my aching back and knees and crawled under the thick white comforter that smelled surprisingly lovely. (Still wondering what they use as it felt like a hug). 

Midway through the night, I reached for my gloves… and Cinto’s shawl : now officially promoted to ear warmer. Bless her kind soul for that gift was divinely timed. 😊

“How am I going to survive this cold during Vipassana?” 

That thought crossed my mind more than once.

But maybe this is part of it, to learn, to sit with discomfort instead of fighting it.

I fell asleep with Spotify playing softly and woke up around 4am, after about four hours of sleep. It was even colder than before.

Hot coffee helped. So did another round of reorganizing my bags, slowly separating what I’ll take to the centre and what I’ll leave behind at Hotel Lakhey.

This place continues to surprise me with its generosity. They’ve kindly offered to store my extra bag at no charge until I return on 25/12!! and yes, I’ll be staying here again. Their hospitality has made this transition feel safe and supported.

After sending messages to friends, students and my cousins, I took a hot shower, got dressed and headed down for breakfast. 

Sitting in the lounge this morning, I realised something quietly profound:

I feel calm.

Grounded.

At ease.

There’s a softness in how I’m seeing people here; strangers included. I feel affection without reason. Familiarity without history.

Maybe I was Nepalese in a past life? 😄

Even the two big stray dogs I crossed paths with yesterday kept their distance; unlike back home where dogs seem much more curious. Confirmation accepted. 😂

While having breakfast, Arbin from the front desk came over to introduce himself and suggest some tours I could do after Vipassana. As we spoke, yoga naturally came up and that’s when another moment of synchronicity unfolded.

A woman from China gently spoke up, apologizing for eavesdropping. 

Her name is Stacy. She heard me mention Vipassana and yoga and suddenly we were exchanging stories like old friends. 

She’s here learning sound healing, has done a non-silent Vipassana before and wants to do the silent one next time. She even recommended a yoga studio nearby ‘YogConnection’, which I’ll visit after the retreat. Yayy!! 🧘🏻‍♀️

Stacy and I connected instantly.

Another reminder: when you’re aligned, the right people find you.

In a few hours, I’ll leave Hotel Lakhey and head to the city council, where Vipassana transport will take us to Dhamma Shringar, Muhan Pokhari.

From there, the silence begins.

For now, I’m sitting with gratitude.

For warmth found in unexpected places.

For kindness offered freely.

For the quiet knowing that I’m exactly where I need to be.

MOUNTAINS, MISSED TURNS AND WARM CHAI

13 DECEMBER 2025 

Nepal, At Last ! 

I made it.

After a long night of zero sleep and a morning that began far too early, I finally landed in Nepal.

The flight itself was… entertaining 😅

To my right, a man snored with full confidence. Behind me, a child rhythmically kicked my seat like it was his personal drum. Sleep? Maybe 5–10 minutes, that is if I’m being generous.

Breakfast helped. I chose eggs, sausages

and yoghurt (with great enthusiasm 😂) and because I was still hungry, I finished the remaining bagel and cheese I’d wisely saved. Travel rule: always keep snacks.

As we descended, everything changed.

Mountains. Valleys. And far, far in the distance, snow-capped peaks. They were breathtaking. The kind of view that makes you stop complaining about sore backs and lack of sleep and just stare.

A quiet reminder: you are somewhere special now.

I was glad i was in my Muji long overcoat over a sleeveless inner and baggy jeans that kept me warm (I could feel the cool air) as I stepped out of the plane! 

So, after landing, an airport bus took us to the terminal. Immigration was smooth; tourist visa, no fuss, no queues. Baggage claim took a while (apparently checking in first means your luggage arrives last 🤣😂) but soon enough, I was reunited with my bags.

One lift ride down, and there he was! the the hotel driver, holding a card ‘ Hotel Lakhey’! Such a kind man. We shared stories, origins and smiles during the ride. USD20 well spent and a warm welcome already underway.

Chai, Kind Faces & Feeling At Home

At the hotel, the two girls at the front desk greeted me with so much excitement that it instantly melted my travel fatigue. Got my room card and before I went up to my room, they served me chai! I drank it so fast I had to ask for another! 😂It was too good!! 😋

While sipping my second cup, I met a traveller from China. His name - Barren! We exchanged stories, destinations and reasons for being here. Every time I mentioned Vipassana, people looked at me with a mix of surprise and curiosity — like, “You came all this way… to be silent?” 😄

Then came another unexpected gift:

a room upgrade, at no extra cost.

The room’s beautifully designed, cosy, clever and feels like a safe little nest before the silence begins.

Thamel Adventures & Getting Lost

After freshening up, I decided to walk to Thamel; about 10–15 minutes from the hotel.

The streets were alive. I picked some gifts. Mission accomplished early and that felt so good. No last-minute rushing later!

On the way back… I got lost. 😅

Properly lost.

I asked a few people for directions. One guy on a bike even offered to take me, I politely declined (thank you instincts 😂).

After a few extra loops and more asking around, I finally found my way back to the hotel.

Total steps for the day: 9,709 😂🤣

Clearly, Nepal wanted to make sure I earned my dinner.

Spice, Beer & Cold Air

Dinner was at the hotel:

Super spicy ! …with vegetables, a small bowl of rice, and my first local beer, 

Gorkha Strong. Delicious. Warming. Exactly what I needed.

I’m sitting outside now in a small garden-like space. It’s cold — brrr — but the heat from the meal is keeping me comfortable. The air feels sharp, clean, and alive.

Tonight, I’ll head up to my room, reorganise my things for the 10 days ahead and finally sleep.

Tomorrow is gentle; waking up late and heading to the city council for pickup Dhamma Shringar.

The silence is getting closer.

And for the first time today… I feel truly settled.

Goodnight from Nepal ❤️