Weekend in Seattle

We're at a far corner of the street market in Seattle's Chinatown. There is drumming from a nearby stage where few minutes ago dancers were creating shapes from their clothing, fans and stance. We've been walking through the tent stores, considering all sorts of colourful shirts and scarves and tapestries. The last tent on this row is a one-day temple, within and around it are enrobed monks and a few helpers. There is red everywhere, the inside of the wide-open tent is an overwhelming visual feast. The designs create a space that is immediately sacred without any further explanation. A woman standing in front of the tent with a handful of burning incense catches my eye.

"Would you like to make an incense offering for good luck?" she asks.
I nod, "sure, why not?"

Rachael's ahead of me and has already made an incense offering; Hendrik is buying cherries. There is a large pot with sand and burning incense, most of the incense appears to be recently lit since I don't see any drooping ash.

She hands me the incense and tells me:
"Speak your name out loud, then say your wish within you as you place the incense in the sand."

I carry the incense over to the offering pot and speak my name out loud. I think the words of my wish and nestle the incense in with the other stalks. A monk standing next to the offering hands me a small slip of paper, on which is an intricate design with a central figurine, a goddess I think but I've no idea which.

As I emerge from the tent, Hendrik is there and he offers some cherries. They are very good!

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This is one moment out of so many from this weekend. Rachael and I drove down to visit Hendrik in Seattle and together we explored some of this city. Hendrik is a great guy, just hanging out with him is satisfying because I always learn something new and he seems to move through life with a gentle grace. Plus we found some really fun things to do (arrr!) and places to visit (that library really is incredible). All together, a tremendous weekend. Thank you Hendrik!