Kurt Archer

Well I have arrived to Amritsar through the Wagha border. Last time I came through here, I paid 550 Rupees for a cab, this time I paid only Rs. 35…

So I met this actor and sufi from UK with a background from Jalunder and Pakistan. Its been great fun so far, exploring the Golden Temple; walking the narrow alley ways. Yes, it is as everyone has said it is, grand and beautiful. We sat with a Guru ji who told us all about Sikhism, and how connected to nature they are. I asked what they think of Sufism, and he responded, that because he is Sikh, he is also Sufi. Beautiful. It was just the kind of wisdom I have wanted to experience while here. 

Another amazing experience was the closing and cleaning ceremony. Hundreds of volunteers were there to help take down everything, clean everything, people we pushing and shoving to do service for the Palace. And the free food! It is a system I have never seen before, so effective, so efficient. From cleaning bins, to trays for daal and and water bowls. Everything one could ask for and more. This system needs to be documented and replicated in other place; indeed a best case practice. 

We are also staying for free at the hostels here, there is a section for foreigners here and everything. I'm planning on staying one more night before I head to Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj. All I can say now is Jai Hind!

Last night I arrived in Pak Pattan Sharif, which is about 2 and a half hours outside of Lahore, but if you’re like me and took the Niazi Bus, then expect it to take 7 hours. Yes 7 hours later at midnight I arrive in this town of less than 150,000 people. Instead of cars, I could hear crickets; instead of noise from the streets below I heard only silence. I struggled to find my way to the Mazaar, but once I reached I was greeted by the kindest hospitality, and the warmest food. A real treat indeed.

That night we slept under the stars, in real hand woven charpai’s, sleep came to me as a faint sound of crickets in the moon light.

This truly is an amazing place to start my journey, as I am surrounded by silence, and opportunity. The banes of busy life stress have all vanished, and I have been able to practice the power of Now.

Today we awoke with the light, enjoyed home cooked breakfast, real lassi, chai and khava. We then paid a visit to Baba Farid’s Mazaar, where I quickly became a sort of celebrity with my white skin. My entourage of 50 children-in-toe made it difficult to enjoy the silence, but the qawwali singers brought music to life, with such passion and expression exhuming from their devotion. An experience that can only be characterized as fez, or fayd, which means the overwhelming joy one has with their divine source.

The kids ended up being a blessing, as after wandering the street gulleys, the kids brought us up onto a hill overlooking the Mazaar and the whole of Pak Pattan Sharif, where we flew kites and took many pictures.

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