Damned!

Laura in Gandan

They pulled up in a wooded driveway that weaved towards a small yet sturdy house, painted golden yellow with a comforting porch in the front. At the sound of the approaching car, a robust woman walked out, raising her hands in the air in a sign of welcome, the many wrinkles on her face illuminating her smiling eyes.

"Ein, my grandson. Come, come on in." She walked forward with no difficulty despite her age and offered her outstretched arms to Laura. "And you my dear, welcome. Ein has told me much about you. He thinks highly of your skills. I am pleased to be able to offer my humble home for lodging and traditional dinners."

Embracing her in a hug, she led them inside. Laura was politely ushered to the small side room, partitioned off by a hanging brightly colored cloth. Immediately, Laura noticed a framed picture nailed to the wall of the Virgin Mary holding a swaddled baby. Nearby, on a makeshift stand made out of packing crates stood a number of strangely carved small wooden statues. A bird's head is attached to a woman's shapely body, a man's head attached to a leopard's body. A monkey's body with a man's face. Laura was bemused to find pagan deities standing upright on a shelf under the Virgin Mary.

"I know this isn't the hotel, but Grandma cooks and cleans better than any tourist trap around. This is the best place." Ein said, noticing her hesitation.

Laura looked around at the clean couch futon with blankets stacked nearby.

"Really, this is fine. Thank you. I'm just surprised to see the blend of religious references." she added.

"Believe me, it is interesting growing up under two different beliefs. And by the way, the whole house transforms magically if Grandpa is here. He can't stand those wooden carvings."

Laura lifted her eyebrows in bemusement.

"That's a part of my story that I won't bore you with at the moment. Let me know if you need anything." Smiling, he left her alone in the room to settle her belongings.

She settled in listening as Ein and Giovanna conversed in their native language in the nearby kitchen. Gandan language was a curious dialect of Spanish mixed with native words. It was easy enough to decipher yet foreign enough to be evasive if need be. Listening intently she overheard Ein mention his Grandfather Heinrich, to which his grandma scoffed in reply.

"Grandma," Ein was heard to ask, "Are you having another fight?"

"The old fool has been evasive lately. I can tell when he refuses to look me in the face during his nightly

visits."

Laura blushed at the mention of the old priest still visiting Ein's grandmother.

"Imama," she overheard Ein reply. "Grandpa has been busy, what with the delegations from the capitol and the archbishop. There is much pressure and I know he tires of their influence. Give him time, and he will take you back into his confidence completely."