Very exciting news on the wires last night. I've been invited to Alice Springs! This is really where it all began in Australia as far as students coalescing around Jetsunma, and where many of my best Australian friends reside. I'll be there Feb. 18-22.
The trip will include a pilgrimage to the largest free-standing rock in the world, Uluru, aka Ayers Rock. Several lamas have commented on its resemblance to Padmasambhava's pure land known as the Copper-colored Mountain.
Alice Springs and Uluru are smack in the middle of the Australian continent. If you knew that, and think you're pretty savvy generally about your world geography, check out this utterly addictive flash game. There are 12 progressively more difficult levels. I've gotten to 12 only a couple of times, but haven't mastered it. How'd you do?
no fair! i got to level 6, and now i gotta take my son to school!
Posted by: minnie | January 14, 2008 at 07:55 AM
I only made it to level 5. It sure moves fast! This reminds me, our local bookstore has some interesting maps, one with size based on population, and one that's flipped so that the south pole is at the top. It sure gives you a new perspective on the world when you step away from that eurocentric projection! I bet if you did this game with a different projection, westerners couldn't things too easily!
Posted by: Carol of Seattle | January 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Got to 11, one try, just a little over 2000 points shy of 12. KT
P.S. The map is too hard to see! (Whine, whine!)
Posted by: KT | January 14, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Yay for Alice Springs! And don't try to tempt me with another game, I still haven't forgiven you for the rice one!
Posted by: dara | January 15, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Konchog,
Thank you for your wonderful view into life in Mongolia. Your presentation was very enjoyable. I hope the project continues to flourish.
Much metta :)
Posted by: Drew from Maleny | January 17, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Watch me wallabys feed mate.
Watch me wallabys feed.
They're a dangerous breed mate.
So watch me wallabys feed.
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport,
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport,
Tie me kangaroo down.
Keep me cockatoo cool, Curl,
keep me cockatoo cool.
Don't go acting the fool, Curl,
just keep me cockatoo cool.
Altogether now!
Take me koala back, Jack,
take me koala back.
He lives somewhere out on the track, Mac,
so take me koala back.
Altogether now!
Let me Abos go loose, Lou,
let me Abos go loose.
They're of no further use, Lou,
so let me Abos go loose.
Altogether now!
Mind me platypus duck, Bill,
mind me platypus duck.
Don't let him go running amok, Bill,
mind me platypus duck.
Altogether now!
Play your digeridoo, Blue,
play your digeridoo.
Keep playing 'til I shoot thro' Blue,
play your digerydoo.
Altogether now!
Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred,
tan me hide when I'm dead.
So we tanned his hide when he died Clyde,
And that's it hanging on the shed.
Altogether now!
Posted by: Don | January 17, 2008 at 03:37 AM
Don, my brother, you know the UB air pollution probably has toxins that may affect your brain? Perhaps we should go for a scan?
Drew -- so nice to meet you, too! Tell your friends we're repeating in Maroochydore on Saturday.
Posted by: Konchog | January 17, 2008 at 06:34 AM