Life on the Indian Road

A young man, looking to be local, scans the room; perusing the patrons sitting atop the colorful seat cushions in this north India cafe. “Is anyone here Christian?” He asks. Hmm, odd question to be asking total strangers. “I am.” I hesitantly respond. He asks if I can help him. Hmm, with what, I wonder. “Umm, sure.” He walks around the table and plops down next to me. “Hi, I’m Amdo.” I introduce myself, and we shake hands with welcoming smiles.

Amdo explains that he’s translating a book on Christian beliefs, from English to Tibetan, for a friend, and has questions on a few of the books’ concepts. Geez Eryn, you haven’t been to church in ions, will you remember any of this stuff? We read over a few sections together and I explain it the best I can. Amdo scribbles feverishly in his notebook with strange, beautiful Tibetan characters as I curiously look on. Wow Eryn, what a cool thing to be a part of! Cross cultural religious conversations with a Tibetan refugee right here in the Carpe Diem café… Whoa - Seizing the day, the moment, the miracles around me.

Eager to learn more about this young mans life, so different from mine, I politely probe him with a few questions. “Where are you from? Did you flee Tibet by foot? Is your family here?” So many questions! Amdo is happy to share his story. He is 23 now, lives here in Dharamsala, and fled Tibet 7 years ago at age 16, with a small group of Tibetans who walked 28 days across the Himalayan Mountains to arrive here to safety. The enormity of it hits me - 28 days, on foot, crossing snow-covered mountains. Un-freakin’-believable! His family stayed behind and he sadly, hasn’t seen them since.

Amdo then joined the Tibetan Hope Center; an organization that takes in refugees and provides housing, food, and English lessons until acclimating to their new environment. We talked for a while about our cultural differences, he asking me about my American culture and my struggles. Geez Eryn, how miniscule, our typical first world problems are in comparison. Yeah, so my parents got divorced when I was young and life kinda’ sucked after that. Really? Umm, no. No need to flee a country or take long treks over snow-covered mountains. Mouth humbly shut.

As we said our goodbyes, I reflected on this once in a lifetime encounter. I knew I’d never forget the time I spent a few brief moments with Amdo; here in India, the home in exile to this young man, the Dalai Lama and countless other refugees.