Balloons

26th of September

There is a risk that i accidentally happen to spread capitalism and suffering in this monastery. In some way did one of the monk boys manage to spot the balloons I'd packed to brighten up the life of the young children I was looking forward to help. We all know the magic of balloons. Soon everyone came to me asking for balloons, which was a great motivator to make them talk English.

When I first got to the monastery I never looked my door. A simple Buddhist non-violent vegetarian monastery, I never thought anything could happen to my stuff except possibly getting dusted sometime. Everybody was always so helpful and caring. After a couple of days I had the feeling that around a thousand rupees was missing that had been laying under a couple of books on my bed. As the slouch I am I was sure I'd just misremembered and left that, but when I a couple of days later saw a some of the children play with balloons on the yard I got suspicious. There was only 4 balloons left in my bag and I'm sure I packed more then that.

I've got a favorite amongst the monks, it was kind of hard really not to get one. He's 15 years old, extremely helpful and dedicated and trying all he can to be the big brother for the kids that he always wanted for himself. I'm sure he looks up to me and he also gave me his bracelet, a link of 12 wooden pieces with pictures of Buddha. I feel like a very over appreciated rich white guy amongst all these poor monks and therefor it feels really awkward that he gives me anything at all. How can I repay him?

Most of the boys have been asking me constantly for balloons for a couple of days. They really have nailed the begging part of the English language, just like the beggars in the city. They haven't quite understood the answering part yet thou, so they keep asking, begging for these balloons like that's all they need at the moment. Some of them have still got their balloons left and keeps them unbanged like it's the an old heirloom. Anyone not being the closest of friends looks at the balloons with sad eyes, as they are the reason for their suffering.

Every student here also seems to enjoy the music players I brought along, being deeply fascinated by the western songs I listen to for a brief retreat home. Since I brought two, would giving one of them to my 15 year old little monk brother be such a bad idea? He is always sharing whatever he got, always helping who ever needs help and never show any egoistic features. Then again, he never got one of these western capitalist balloon.