The Snowdancer (PDF) - Rolf Gross

spoiled by tourists yet. I also know some kind people in Drintang who could put you up during the festival. Drintangwill be crowded with people from all over these valleys, and it would be good, if you kept a low profile. TheChinese will not show, but there are always Tibetans who work for them. It would not be helpful, if you were'discovered'."With a chivalrous gesture, Phurbu shouldered Asya's backpack, and they went back to climbing to Drintang. Asyawalked last, so the two men with their loads could determine their progress. Amazing how this 'mountain-goat'negotiated the path. Sure-footed, he never made an unnecessary step, he set no loose stones rolling. PoorRichard had a much harder time.After another three-quarter of an hour they reached the village. It was indeed exceptionally pretty, two andthree story, Nepali-style houses, some of rough stone, some white-washed, all with steep roofs against the snows.A clean street cobbled with large river stones. Fast flowing water runnels everywhere between the houses thatserved as drainage and for washing laundry, and breathtaking views in every direction.Phurbu took them to a house at the upper end of the village. A large open area extended from there, rising slightlyto the gompa at Zangdhok Pelri, the Guru Rinpoche cave.The people were exceptionally friendly despite their unannounced appearance. There were many hugs and muchmerriment between the family and Phurbu. Especially the two older daughters vied for his attention and huggedand kissed Phurbu as if he was their teddy-bear.After this display of affection, they looked Asya over, an American lady from California! One spoke a littleEnglish and Phurbu teased her to talk to Asya. They took Asya to their room and told her that she would sleep withthem, whilst Richard was taken to a room upstairs where the men slept.Tseringma, the older one was 19 and her sister Jima 16. They were exasperatingly silly, giggling out of controlabout absolutely everyhing. Both sisters were quite pretty, and they knew it. Asya took her sleeping bag out andTseringma immediately took possession of it. Tonight she was going to sleep in it, and Asya would sleep under herthree layers of rough, hand-woven, wool blankets. Richard left with Phurbu and the master of the house to take alook at the preparations for the festival. They gave Richard a local overcoat and a huge, black hat to camouflagehim. He looked great.Asya needed a change of clothes, and went back to their room, closely followed by both girls. As she took herthings off, Tseringma inspected Asya's underpants feeling their softness and smelling them. Then she picked upAsya's jeans. She was quite tall for her age, and before Asya knew, she had put on her panties and jeans in ahilarious attack of laughter."Why don't we change clothes? I wear yours and you wear mine. We will completely surprise Phurbu," shegiggled, already taking her long dress off. She wore no bra. Before Asya could stop her, Tseringma had put Asya'sbra on. What could she do? She let it happen.Tseringma ran her fingertips ever so lightly over Asya's shoulders, her breasts and body. "You have such abeautiful skin and you smell so good." She said without the slightest trace of embarrassment. Asya slipped intoTseringma's dress. Looking critically at Asya from an arm's length Tseringma tugged at the dress here and there.In their newly established intimacy, Tseringma told Asya that they were both going to marry Phurbu, butPhurbu wanted to marry only one. He had told them to decide between themselves which one. They were quiteindignant about this demand. A rich American like he should be able to support two wives. Asya concluded thatTseringma had already slept with Phurbu. Tseringma did not say so, but they began discussing sexual mattersvery freely. Apparently, the woman makes the choice and gives the man a hint when and where to meet her. Andhe better be there, or she will not speak to him for weeks.Tseringma, completely matter of fact, told Asya that there were two kinds of making love, with and withoutejaculation by the man. The latter was the choice of unmarried girls. Phurbu was an uncertain candidate for lovemaking,because he was a Dzogchenpa to whom everything was permitted. Kargyüpa were not supposed to 'spilltheir essence'.41