The Dalai Lama, Richard Gere and Gospel Choir - oh, my!

Last Wednesday (Oct. 17th), Shirin, Jenn (another UC Bio kid), and I went down to the Capital to see the Dalai Lama. There weren't nearly as many people as I thought there'd be but it was cool to see many Tibetan people in traditional costumes and Tibetan flags everywhere. One Tibetan guy held up a sign at one point that said "Thank you, USA." We got there just in time to hear President Bush speak and were in the security line while the Dalai Lama was presented with his medal. There was a big screen to the left of the Main Steps of the Capital that broadcast what was going on inside the Rotunda, so we got to see the Dalai Lama read his speech. It was cute. Sometimes he would stumble over words (he warned us he might) and so his aid would help him every once in a while. He spoke of how he didn't want Tibet to be independent from China, just that he hoped for autonomy. He had a cute chuckle, too that sounded like a higher-pitched version of our friend Kurt's. After the ceremony in the rotunda was over, the wait began. At one point the master of ceremonies for the public program outside told us that the program we just saw broadcast on the screen of the rotunda had just been broadcast to the rest of the world including Tibet, and India. It was cool to think of the information streaming into people's livingrooms and knowing the excitement it was creating just that second.

Before the Dalai Lama came out, they started a program of Tibetan singers and intstrumentalists. We heard one of the most popular Tibetan singers and another important artist play flutes and sing. It sounded great! Then the host of the program started to introduce the next speaker but said that they title of the book about him pretty much gave it away... "Everybody loves Richard Gere." We heard the title, but were confused as Richard Gere couldn't possibly be HERE. But sure enough, all of a sudden, there is Richard Gere standing on the stage and there's his voice! It was so exciting to get to see him! He talked a little about how exciting it was to get to see everyone, especially all the people in the back (us!!), and about how wonderful it was that the Dalai Lama had recieved the congressional medal. Then, to our excitment, we were informed that the Dalai Lama was preparing to exit the building and would therefore join us. Sure enougth, the traditional Tibetan court dancers started dancing and the Dalai Lama himself came out of the Capital. He was surrounded by people and shaded by a big red umbrella (see picture). After passing the dancers, he stopped to listen to the traditional Tibetan horns (I was told they sounded better in real life, not mic-ed) and then greeted the authentically dressed representatives from the Tibetan areas who awaited him on the stairs (also in the picture). It was amazing to think that such a kind looking man could be so wellknown, loved and respected. And to see Richard Gere standing at his shoulder, whispering in his ear was extremely awesome! We tried to get a picture of them together on the screen on our way out (we had classes to go to and things to do), but missed it.

Okay, so now about last Sunday and my first Gospel Choir concert. We (the Gospel Choir), were paid to sing at this church's 22nd Founder's Day celebration. We got there around 4 and left at 6:30pm, but it was still going on. It was very extravagant and lively with the Bishop seated on an ornately carved throne on stage, dressed in purple and gold with a fancy hat on her head. The "praise team" wore African-styled outfits and everyone was in suits and dresses. Even the programs were big and printed in color! As our ex-president of Gospel Choir said, it was an Island church. Each song was approximately 10 minutes long (it seemed) and eveyone was up clapping their hands and singing loudly. Some even cried as they sang. The whole congregation was African American and some of the speakers had slight accents. Two people testified how prophecies that the Bishop had made had come true and many people were annointed with 7 year old oil. Overall, it was a great experience, the people were very nice and appreciative (twice during the service we hugged our neighbors and everyone came to include us in their hugs), and very fun.