Retreat in the Heart of Darjeeling

I learned something from the little man on the way-markers.

Notice how he leans forward a bit with his knapsack and his walking stick. This may not be the greatest for your back, but I learned the hard way that it adjusts your center of balance. You see, every day I’ve had a little slip when going downhill until I finally realized that the weight of my knapsack was working against me to make me slip backwards. Backsliding!

Anyway, I think the little man demonstrates what could be a model for striving on a spiritual path. “Lean into your karma!”  In other words, go forward. Keep on keeping on. Get through it. And, never give up.

Just look at the glorious weather! Today’s hike was spectacular. It included ancient ruins where I might have lived once. (You never know.)

Then there were the cliffs above the sea with a rope handrail on the trail.

This was a great spot to start a Surrender Rosary.  If that’s something new to you, you can buy a little booklet to read beautiful prayers of surrender to the will of God through the heart of the Divine Mother Mary at http://www.thesummitlighthouse.org.

Finally, after about four hours of hiking, I made it to the lighthouse!

For those of you who may have been worried about my safety, look! There’s a helicopter pad right above the lighthouse.

If you are familiar with surveying,  check out this trig point. If you’re not, you’ll still enjoy the view.

Meet the owner of this Bridgeview B&B in Kilcrohane, Ann  and her daughter, Rita. When I got lost on the mountain yesterday, Rita was the one I called before I encountered a trail guide in the form of a person named Tony who helped me find a way down. It added some extra miles to my trek, but  was a great adventure. Lean in!

They are extremely hospitable and also make the best food for breakfast and dinner! Yesterday I was in the dining room waiting for dinner, and I noticed four ladies at the table near me. They looked chilly and it was a little cool in the dining room, but not too bad. Suddenly Ann’s son burst into the room and said, “If you’re too hot feel free to open the windows! It’s really hot today!” And then he left. The ladies were a bit speechless. And when they looked at me I said, “I don’t think he’s used to warm weather.” That explains why my Irish-American friend, Kate, likes to be cool!

Here’s a little souvenir I’m taking home. It may be the closest I get to an Irish sweater.

Well, that’s probably enough for one night. But I’ll leave you to contemplate the marriage stone. I guess the man would reach his hand through one way and the bride-to-be would reach through the other side!

May we all lean in!