Jewel of Himalaya

I was going through a stressful time preparing for interviews, so I decided to take a day off of work and calm my mind. It's been a while since I really traveled anywhere at all, let alone by myself. Not that this is really traveling like I used to, but it was wonderful. 

I rented a car. The sales associate asked me what I wanted to do about insurance, and I said, "Nothing. I don't need it." 

He looked so appalled! He said, "Um...I would...not...recommend that..."

Do I look like such a bad driver? Anyhow, I was under so much stress that I decided just to get the insurance so I wouldn't have another thing to worry about. My plan was to drive upstate, to the Buddhist Temple that I have been going to for years. I've mentioned it before. It was a peaceful drive that allowed me to clear my mind. Sometimes I think driving is like meditation for me. I almost wanted to just do nothing but drive for four hours, but I had an interview in the afternoon so I was limited on time.

I had never been to the Temple on a weekday, and it was a different experience. I arrived early, like 10 am, and I was the only one there. It was silent. I heard bugs and birds in the forest, and it smelled like pine. I went into the Temple and sat in the silence, and felt comforted. There is a room where there is a plaque for my grandmother, who passed away. I thought about all of my troubles and worries, and when I looked up, I saw that there was a vase full of pink lilies. Those are my favorite flowers because we grew them in my house in Boston, where I lived most of my life. Somehow, I felt like everything really would be okay. 

Normally they serve lunch on the weekend, but not on the weekdays. I hadn't been planning to go to the gift shop, but I was waiting for the incense to finish, so I went to check it out. I've been wanting to get an incense burner for some time, but hadn't found any that really appealed to me. I guess since I wasn't looking, I saw the perfect one. It was a lily pad with a small rabbit on it, which would hold the incense. I bought that, and left for lunch.

I went to a Nepalese Restaurant called "Jewel of Himalaya", which was pretty good, before driving home.

It was a day of much needed rest.  

Food at Jewel of Himalaya

A Temple to Myself