Schedules US State Dept. The town rambles up steep hills in a hodgepodge, fairy tale fashion, against a backdrop of peaks of the Himalayas' Dhauladar range. On the streets, one can see monks of all ages, women in traditional striped aprons over long dark skirts, and men in chubas. Student monks on their breaks might be found in discussions over tea. Sacred cows of a small and bushy breed are a constant presence in the town, as are stray dogs and their pups.
Monkeys travel in troops from building to building, looking for scraps and handouts.
Contrasting with the fast-paced life we left at home, we were now surrounded by people who spend most of their day in meditation and at prayer. The spiritual center of the town is the Dalai Lama's temple, Tsuglagkhang, across a small square from his residence. Self-conscious at first, my daughter and I spun large prayer wheels and walked clockwise around the outside of the temple before entering. A prayer wheel is a revolving metal cylinder containing thousands of written prayers, and it's said by spinning the wheel you acquire the benefits of the prayers. As we entered the temple, a monk was filling huge butter lamps with liquid fat.