The Precious Pill

Today we went to a Tibetan doctor - from the Men Tsee Khang school of medicine. I went for excema. I have tried Western medicine, homeopathy, herbology, Chinese medicine, and hocus-pocus stuff. There is still Arjuvedic medicine to explore, and spiritual healing. But for now Men Tsee Khang - or Tibetan medicine.

I have been diagnosed with bile problems. I was given a lot of little black balls - made out of plants and minerals, to be taken everyday. Some in the morning, some at lunch time, others in the evening. Some medicine I have to alternate. I take all this for three days in a row. Then on the fourth day, I take a Precious Pill. The pill itself is wrapped in a little blue cloth and tied with golden string. It is made out of coral, two types of sandalwood, iron, and some other precious minerals. You crush it and put it into a glass of hot water with a clean cloth over it. You leave it overnight. The next morning you stir it with your index finger and drink it. For extra effectiveness, you can repeat two Buddhist mantras as often as you can. There after, three days of the other medicine, and then the Precious Pill again and so on. About four months he said, and my problem should be cured.

It all seems like a whole lot of work, though - so I will start in South Africa.

Spent most of the day at the mechanic again. Still problems. But should be fine now. Bought presents today, and a wedding gift for a wedding in March next year. Had to buy cloth to wrap the package, and will send it tomorrow morning when we leave for Manali.

Had our ears cleaned by a fellow called Muhammed. He learnt the skill from his father, and has been doing it for the past 17 years. He took us to his 'office', which was through an alley and into a back courtyard. Had to sit on a piece of wood. He stuck long needles and tweazers into my ears and pulled out lots of unpleasant looking particles. It felt uncomfortable - as if somebody was sticking a knitting needle into your ear, and one mistake would skewer my brain. But I can hear better now.

Had extremely delicious Tibetan food this evening at our guesthouse. We sat next to the vegetable garden, from which they took the ingredients for a soup, vegetables for the rice, and the fillings for the Momos. (Stuffed pastry type things that are steamed)