For starters, mode pronounced like (mo-day) is goodbye in Fijian and that is what we said to our Fijian getaway resort, and Fiji entirely. And with that mode to Fiji we said G’day to Australia and began the final leg of our journey. We arrived in Brisbane and had a little time to explore this city before we departed for Chenrezig Buddhist Institute. Here is where we say Namaste. We helped out the institute by paving their steps with new gravel and helping sweep away the leaves kicked up by the turkeys. We were taught the importance of our words when we all partook in a full day of silence (I challenge you all back home to try no communication at all for a day, it’s harder than it sounds ;). And we all dove inside ourselves and took some real deep breaths with meditation sessions taught by the local monks and nuns. Yet as enlightening as this week was for me, I still felt a sense of suffering. Everyone in this group is part of my family and just being in Australia makes me realize how little time we have left. Yet my time at Chenrezig taught me something important. The end is inevitable and you must make every moment count. What’s the Latin saying for that? Oh yeah, Carpe Diem. I am a proud member of the Walkabout Family and every single person in this group has changed my life in countless ways. This trip wouldn’t be the same without any of them and I will cherish and enjoy every moment I have left with them as well as the memories I’ve made with them. We split the group into 7 the coming week for a conservation project, but I’m not worried. We’re still a family. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cheers Mates
Bilbo Bloggins
a.k.a Ben Litvack
This past week at Chereznig has been eye-opening experience. It was the perfect place for me engage with a religion I’ve always wondered about. The food although vegetarian, was delicious. Everyone that worked in the Cafe would go out of their way to make me a separate lunch everyday to ensure there was no nuts. I thought the coolest part was learning how to meditate through the teachings in the Gompa. It made me feel very relaxed and at peace with myself. One of the hardest activities we did was the day of silence. It made me realize how much of what we say everyday is just chatter and doesn’t really mean anything important. With that being said, I really wanted to talk and joke around with everyone in the group. It was a really cool place for us to start off in Australia. This next week we will split up the group 7 and 7 and go do some volunteer work for Conservation Volunteers of Australia.
Cheers,
Frodo Bloggins
A.k.a Will Cigno