Purchasing the Nuns' Computer

Going to Hubli
My view from the back of the car...

One of the most exciting days was January 17th, the following Wednesday after arriving at the monastery. That day Phuntsho, arranged to take us, along with Chuni Rinpoche, Geshe Kalsang, and Tengye (the entire 2005-2006 Tour less Chimmie) to Hubli to help us purchase nuns' computer.

There we were also to meet some of our friends like Ngodup (05/06 Tour), Geshe Sangye and Ameircan Lobsang Wangchuck all returning from H.H. the Dalai Lama's teachings at Sera. Hubli is the junction town with the nearest rail travel to the settlement.

The computer purchase extravaganza...

We spent almost the entire day making the computer purchase for the nuns. First, Phuntsho and I had to locate the place. Remember, I had tasked the nuns with getting three quotes and identifying someone they wanted to work with? Well, they chose this computer company in Hubli and they could not have made a finer choice.

The owner of the business (shown here on the right has been in business for many, many generations and he runs his own little operation.

Once the expected and highly anticipated negotiations were agreed upon, the store's young and animated dream technical team sprang into action, with six of them all working on the one system at the same time.

This "should only take an hour" process (1 Tech hour = 4 hours) was a fun and exciting time for me... maybe for them as well. It seemed thay way - as having an new "American" client was well, new - but also one having a little western technical expertise, especially in the Corel Graphics Suite was an opportunity to get someanswers as well as some effects placed onto some photos. Upon correcting the problem they had been experienced with the photos, I topped their tutorial session with the expression "SUCCESS is Mine" flexing my muscles... in which one translated to the rest and they all repeated back the gesture... my own bollywoood movie! They in turn tried to gave me the Hindi translation of the same - which went out as quickly as it went in!

Computer Take-Away
At almost 7:45pm (having been in the computer store for over 4 hours) it was finally time to take the new equipment back to the truck and meet the rest of our friends for dinner.

Phuntsho set Ngodup afoot back to the vehicle with the flat screen monitor, while Menlo, Tengye, Phuntsho and I all haul the rest of the equipment back to the rickshaw driver. No kidding, this was something out of silk road times.

From there everything was loaded securely onto the monastery vehicle and we were then swept away to a reunion dinner in Hubli's with the entire 2005/6 Tour including American Lobsang Wangchuk (but less Chimmy Jampa who had his family visiting).

Wow! what a day to remember.