The Dalai Lama and Australian zoo...

2 gorgeous days....out to see the Dalai Lama at Chenrezig Institute at Eudlo on Thursday and then off to the Australian Zoo on Friday. Trudy and Tom drove up on Wednesday nite after work to stay for a couple of nites for these special events and also to have a birthday dinner on Thursday nite for her 25th birthday.

Chenrezig Institute is about 15 minutes drive from our place but because of all the security precautions and the sheer number of people involved with the Dalai Lama's visit, we drove to the little town of Eudlo and then travelled in buses from there. It was all well organized and we were up there by about 10.30. 12midday was our deadline for being seated so we had plenty of time to browse the stalls and find something to eat....some risotto balls which I think were called aroncini. We had 3 different flavours and they were quite yummy and then cups of coffee and chai tea. After this we made our way up quite a long track to a cleared field in amongst all the trees where the stage was set up. The crowd of 4000 waited quite patiently I thought, for about an hour until the Dalai Lama arrived. I liked our spot as the hill dropped away from us and we were looking out into the treetops behind the stage...gorgeous. When he arrived on the stage he was very down to earth and relaxed....he took a couple of minutes to work out which microphone he wanted to stand at as the sun was beating down on him...when he was in position he made a 'peek-a-boo' gesture out through the awnings which we all loved of course...and just said 'hello'.

I found him to be just as we see him on tv...very humble, laughs a lot...at himself often and very wise in a down to earth manner...very practical. He spoke to us for a couple of hours I think. I felt that it was such a good sign that all those people made the effort to go and see him - it was such a peaceful event.

Our meal on Thursday nite was fun...we played Rummikub while the roast was in the oven and then after our meal we had chocolate cake and this really yummy coconut ice-cream made on the sunny coast here. Zoe came over but Al was away. And there were candles in her cake...

Friday Trudes, Tom and I went to the Aussie zoo and Trudy really wanted to see the wombats and koalas...maybe because they are heading overseas soon for a few years...they are my favorites too...I think Tommy liked the tigers best...not sure. The show was funny and the whole day was lovely...