21/08/2012 Tuesday

Today I emailed Thay TH about the wrong dates appeared on his itinerary. He then realised he booked the whole thing based on these wrong dates. Oops...... Lucky I told him otherwise we could get into trouble.

Thay TH got the land package price for us. India land package is $1000 per person.

19/08/2012 Sunday

I handed in all the printed applications ready for people to sign. I feel we are getting closer for our pilgrimage.

18/08/2012 Saturday

I went to Thay’s temple to do online India visa. There were Dao, Linh and Chi My Hanh to help me - Unexpected helpers to help my process smooth. I thought it only takes about 2 hours but I ended up stay back to 4pm.

I rushed home to see whether I have enough toner for my printer. When I got home Cuong told me he just bought a brand new printer today. Phew! I have a new printer to use. I printed all the applications and double check the information on them, made notes for the special cases.

13/08/2012 Monday

I went to the India Visa place at central market to get the checklist and other information from them. They advised me to come at 8:30am if we want to do 24 visa applications. I will let Thay know.

I made 24 copies of the checklist and itinerary to get ready for submission.

12/08/2012 Sunday

I’ve told Thay TC if we submit our visa on our own, we will save some money. Thay was still thinking going through agent.

I received SMS from Thay TC in the evening; he wanted to do it himself. I totally agreed with this as we can save (Agent fee $130- $97 actual visa fee = $34 save per person; $33 * 24 = $792 save in total) I will help him to enter all applications online next Saturday.

10/08/2012 Friday

I received the list from Thay TC. I could see Thay TC’s worry for people who can’t eat Indian food. Thay TC answered as follow:

1)  We don't need Marigold for welcome but to make offerings at temples when we visit.

2)  See Dharma name list attached. 

3)  Allocation of rooms can be flexible.

4)  Microphone and speaker would be helpful on the bus

5)  It would be nice If TTH could arrange beforehand, permission to go inside the Boddhi tree and Vajra Throne when we visit Mahaboddhi Temple.

6)  We would ask Thay TH buy 2 cartons of instant noodle, 100 spring water bottles and 5 bottles of soy sauce when he collects the Bus.

I have finished making the name tags and waiting for Thay TH’s approval to print them.

I am the lucky person who can visit Buddha’s holy places for the third time. I thank Buddha for this opportunity; I thank Thay to organize this trip; I thank my sister’s support.

08/08/2012 Wednesday

I am getting very excited to receive an email from Thay TH. He is working on name tags. Thay TH wanted to know:

1)  A list of people’s Dharma name

2)  Do we require Marigold Welcome on arrival?

3)  Room allocation for people

4)  Speaker on the bus

5)  What else we will require from him.

I volunteer to help him do and print the name tags. I can’t see the need for Marigold Welcome.

06/08/2012 Monday

95 days to go for India. Hoooo!

05/08/2012 Sunday

I’ve given Thay TC my India visa form. Thay TC is going to apply for India visas via a travel agent. Once we’ve got our visa, we are ready to go. I have started collecting items that I want to bring for the trip. I cannot wait!

29/07/2012 Friday

Thay TH replied to my email. He had no internet access in his village. He came back to India on 17/07/2012. Poor Thay TH was working so hard in Vietnam. I am glad he is well.

04/06/2012 Monday

Thay TH sent our tour booking receipt.

26/05/2012 Saturday

Today I received a gift from Taiwan Dharma Drum Mountain. It is a small booklet about Prayer, making wishes and fulfilling wishes. This reminded me when I was in India 2011, a friend of mine asked me if I had a wish? What was my wish? She said Co Phuoc Sinh asked her whether she had a wish. Yes, I do have wishes, not one but many.  At the moment my wish is for our pilgrimage group have a smooth and memorable pilgrimage. I wish everybody will be safe and full of Dharma joy.