Home is where your heart is...

As I stated in my last blog I finally arrived back in the U.S.A. The flight home, 14 hrs., was quite grueling. Sitting that long is not my thing! On the way home a man collapsed and the stewards and stewardesses had to go to his assistance. Everyone was screaming for a doctor (I though, omg, what if they think Im an MD?) Well, he ended up alright and the flight went on without interruption.

On final approach to LAX the strangest emotions came over me. I was sad the adventure was winding up and very proud to be back in the U.S. A strange sense of patriotism came over me as we landed. Once on the ground I couldnt help but feel so happy to live in a land like ours. We take so much for granted, expect so much of ourselves, and many times forget the importance of being happy and at peace with who you are. As I worked my way through Customs and lined up for the final check the gentleman at the counter said "Welcome home son!" It may sound strange but a tear came to my eye as i walked on through.

At the final check point they asked me to open my bag and the inspector noticed that my hiking shoes were quite dirty. They sent me over to the agricultural screening area and ran my belongings through a big scanner and then informed me they needed to sanitize my shoes and trekking poles. One hour later, after a good nap in Customs, I was able to head outside, back in the USA! Found my brother and headed home!

Once home I started to unpack and sort a few things out. That night I found myself wide awake and unable to sleep, my brain was still on Nepal time, haha! Not funny, I haven't been able to sleep all week. I keep waking up in the evenings and throughout the early morning. Went to the doctor for a post trip check up and he gave me some tips to reset my internal clock! Its a little better today, however, not back to normal yet.

Its been nice seeing my friends and sharing my trip with them. In all honesty, there is only one person who really understands how I am feeling, Dan. He understands because he was there as well, on a separate trip, but impacted by all we saw, felt and experienced to the same degree I have been. Upon my return Dan called and told me that no matter who I talk to, no one will really get what I feel. He's absolutely right! That place does strange things to you. Strange because it opens your eyes to the world around you. I do feel like I have a different perspective now, now that I'm home. I keep looking at my pictures and re-living the adventure. I keep reflecting on the people, the land, the poverty and the sense of peace that seems to fill the air in the Himalaya's. You see, everywhere you go you are greeted by the Eyes of Wisdom.

This symbol in Nepal is one that has a simple philosophy, a powerful one, that despite your religion, has deep meaning (at least to me). On virtually every stupa (Buddhist shrine) in Nepal, there are giant pairs of eyes staring out from the four sides of the main tower. These are Buddha Eyes (also known as Wisdom Eyes), and they look out in the four directions to symbolize the omniscience (all-seeing) of a Buddha. The Buddha eyes are so prevalent throughout the country that they have become a symbol of Nepal itself. Between the Buddha's eyes where the nose would be is a curly symbol that looks like question mark. This is the Nepali character for the number 1, which symbolizes unity of all the things as well as the one way to reach enlightenment—through the Buddha's teachings. Above this is a third eye, symbolizing the all-seeing wisdom of the Buddha.

Unity, Peace, understanding and becoming one with the world around you, that is what this country portrays. The city of Khathmandu, althouhgh rifled with poverty stands out in my mind, beyond the city and into the Himalayan mountains a different and more peaceful world exists. It honestly does feel like you become one with the world around you. That's the feeling I will remember, the rest certainly opened my eyes and has hopefully made me a more caring, wise, and aware person.  Something happened to me on this trip.  I dont yet understand it all but a feeling is dwelling in me that is stronger than an=ything I've ever experienced.  As the next days and months go forward I want this feeling to grow so that I understand it and where its taking me.  So confused, so happy, and so curious!  Where did this all take me?

Lots of things happened since I returned home, I was in a car accident (can you believe it?) Osama Bin Ladin was eliminated and the story goes on and on! The one thing I do know is that I am proud to be an American and live in a country as great as ours!

For now...NAMASTE...and God Bless America! Despite it all, we are the luckiest people in the world!