Hello Folks!  Thought you might like a look at where we are staying.  This is the Korean Monastery I told you about yesterday.  It is quite large and impressive as you can see.

And this is a photo of a side altar taken last night after the evening service.  

This morning we decided to spend another day here.  Juha has recovered from his upset stomach, but Mikko has developed a full blown case of intestinal distress with all the accompanying symptoms.  The worst seems to have passed, but he is still very nauseous and weak.  We have come to town once again to search out medicine for his dehydration and to see if we can get some fresh bananas and juice he can eat safely.  Of course while we are here, we stopped for coffee and some Tibetan bread and eggs and had numerous honey bees and the fellow below as dining companions.

Yesterday, we visited the Lumbini Museum and cultural center.  They had quite an interesting collection of both originals and replicas of statuary, old Nepalese/Tibetan books with written mantras and sutras, and also quite a nice 10 - 15 minute documentary about the history of Lumbini.  Well worth a visit if you are here and have time.

Today, we will be visiting the Maya Devi Temple, the sacred lake and park where Buddha was born, and the Ashokan Pillar which marks the spot.  We wish Mikko could come with us, but I guess if he had to be ill, this is the best place, as he has been here before.  

So, from all of us, a cheery hello!  Please keep Mikko in your thoughts and prayers and we will check in again soon.