Trip Home 2008 and Madison, Wisconsin 2008 (Tenshug)

This most recent trip home had me jet-setting between 3 countries: Japan, Taiwan and Canada in order to reach the United States.  However, despite the painstaking travel time to reach my final destination, the layover in Taiwan and an opportunity to touch base with some friends in Vancouver, B.C., Canada made the extra travel time worth it!  This year’s trip home was great!  The weather in Seattle was beautiful everyday and I had an opportunity to spend some good quality time with all my friends and family!  I also spent 5-nights in Madison, Wisconsin for a Tibetan event called Tenshug, the Long Life Celebration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  This event included 4-days of spiritual teachings by the Dalai Lama followed by the long life prayer offering to him calledTenshug.  This Tenshug in the United States was the first time such an event has been held in the Western Hemisphere and drew thousands of people from all across North America.  As for the city of Madison, Wisconsin – this was one of the nicest small cities I’ve ever visited in the United States!  Madison is the capital of Wisconsin state and is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  In 1996 Money magazine named Madison as the best place to live in America.  When making a trip to Madison, a day and night stroll on State Street is absolutely necessary.  State Street links the University of Wisconsin campus with the State Capitol square, and is lined with restaurants, espresso cafes, bars, and shops.  Check out all my pictures from my 2008 trip home in my albums: 
Trip Home 2008 and Madison 2008 (Tenshug)!