Enlightened Over Lunch
Arriving at our lunchtime restaurant, we thought this time there would be no puzzlement.
Experience had taught us the custom of being taken first to a bedroom.
But Ladakh still managed to surprise us:
We were welcomed by a Buddhist monk.
Quite what his role was, I never understood.
He appeared to do little other than sit at the reception desk, smiling in silence.
But, while maintaining that silence, somehow the monk summoned our hotel’s owner.
Again, we were shown first to a bedroom where, after a chance to wash and make ourselves comfortable, tea was served.
Feeling relaxed and refreshed, we wandered down to the dining room to take lunch.
Then sat outside for a few minutes, luxuriating in the gentle warmth of spring sunshine.
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Neither Use Nor Ornament 