DC/MD/VA/WV Adventures

Northern Lights-A Scandinavian Odyssey! Reindeer, dog sledding, Ice fishing ...

Sun, Feb 8 · 7:00 PM EST

Dulles International Airport, 1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA, US

***This group is filled. Check out our next departure on Feb 20, 2026:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/***

Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, catch a fish (or two) through a hole in the ice, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure!

Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value.

Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever!

We visit:

• Stockholm
• Kiruna (Lapland)
• Helsinki
• Copenhagen (optional extension)

The trip includes:
* 2 nights in Stockholm
* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment
* 4 nights in Kiruna
* 3 nights in Helsinki
* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki
* Boat ride in Stockholm
* Food tasting in Helsinki
* Breakfast daily
* 2 dinners and 3 lunches
* Northern Lights Tour
* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour
* Full-Day Reindeer Tour
* Ice Fishing or Husky Sleigh Ride

Price per person, double occupancy: $4770
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6320

Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses
x Optional extension to Copenhagen

The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit

***Deposit link removed as this date is sold out. You can reserve your spot for our next departure on Feb 20, 2026 HERE ***

Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).*** Final payment due 60 days before departure***
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit

For a detailed Day By Day itinerary:
Click Here to fill out our info request form

Limited capacity of 14 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
***Airfare from/to the US not included***

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)

Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.

Click Here to see all our other fun events
SOT 2000318-10

Walk for Peace

Sat, Feb 14 · 8:00 AM EST

Location not specified yet

Come whit me, lets Walk for Peace
(Please, read the full event details if joining the walk - This is NOT a lets go to see the Monks pass-by meetup, this is a Lets go and join the Monks on they'r final 15+ miles from VA to DC as a day hike)

The "Walk for Peace" is a 2,300-mile pilgrimage by 19 Buddhist monks from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., started in late 2025, to spread messages of peace, loving-kindness, and compassion, documented online and supported by communities along their route, notable for their silent, mindful journey with a rescue dog named Aloka.

Key Aspects:

• Origin: The walk was initiated by monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
• Purpose: To raise awareness for peace, mindfulness, and compassion, not as a protest, but as a moving meditation.
• Journey: A roughly 2,300-mile trek across several states, beginning in October 2025 and expected to finish in February 2026, with Washington, D.C., as the destination.
• Participants: 19 monks and a rescue dog, Aloka (The Peace Dog).
• Method: The monks walk in silence, often barefoot, engaging in mindful practice, with supporters offering food, water, and lodging.
• Community Interaction: They tie blessing strings (a simple thread) on supporters' wrists as tangible reminders of peace, fostering a connection between the journey and the individuals.
• Online Presence: The group actively shares updates, photos, and live maps on social media (Facebook), garnering significant support and media attention.

In essence, it's a walking meditation and grassroots effort to promote a message of inner and outer peace through personal example and community connection across the United States.

Proper & Respectful Practice TO BE FOLLOW when meeting the Monks:
1. Choose simple, clean flowers - Fresh flowers without strong fragrance are ideal. Simplicity reflects sincerity.
2. Place them low, not high - Gently place the flowers on the ground, never at head level or above the monk.
3. Do not block the path - Set the flowers slightly to the side or just ahead of where the monk will step, allowing him to pass naturally without changing his stride.
4. Kneel or bow if appropriate - If culturally appropriate, kneel or bow briefly after placing the flowers. Keep movements calm and unhurried.
5. Maintain silence - Avoid speaking, calling attention, or making eye contact unless the monk initiates it.
6. Step back mindfully - After placing the flowers, step back to allow space. Let the offering speak for itself.
7. Offer with intention, "not expectation" - The true offering is your mindfulness and gratitude, not recognition.
------------------------------
Proper way to present your self to a Monk:
To show respect in front of a Buddhist monk, it is generally recommended to bow with your palms pressed together (known as the añjali gesture or wai in Thai culture), which is a common and appropriate form of greeting and reverence. Full prostration (the "kowtow") is typically reserved for sacred objects like a Buddha statue during specific ceremonies, not as a casual greeting.
Here are the appropriate steps and considerations for greeting a Buddhist monk:
The Basic Greeting (Añjali/Wai)

1. Bring your hands together, palm-to-palm, in front of your chest. This gesture is called añjali (or wai in Thailand) and can be used as a greeting, a thank-you, or when speaking with the monk.
2. Raise your hands to a level appropriate for the monk's status.

• For a typical monk, the hands are often raised to the level of the lowered forehead, with the index fingers or thumbs touching the forehead.
• The higher the hands and the lower the bow, the more respect shown.

3. Accompany the gesture with a slight bow of your head or from the waist, keeping your back and neck straight.
4. Avoid physical contact such as shaking hands, especially if you are a woman, as many monks follow a strict code of conduct regarding physical contact with people of the opposite sex.

* Deeper Expression of Respect (Prostration/Kowtow)
A more profound sign of respect, often referred to as kowtow in a general sense, is the full prostration (known as krab in Thai culture). This is typically done during formal ceremonies in a temple or shrine room:

1. Kneel on the floor with your body composed. Men usually sit on their heels, while women may sit with their legs tucked to one side.
2. Bow forward, placing your palms on the floor about six inches apart, and touch your forehead to the floor between your hands.
3. Repeat this three times to show reverence to the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha).
4. Avoid pointing your feet toward the monk or a Buddha image while seated or prostrating, as this is considered highly disrespectful in many cultures.

General Etiquette

• Address the monk respectfully: Use titles such as "Bhante" (Pali for "Venerable Sir") or "Venerable". In some traditions, senior monks with over ten years of experience may be addressed as "Ajahn" (Thai for "teacher").
• Dress modestly: Ensure your shoulders, chest, and knees are covered when visiting a temple or meeting a monk.
• Sit at a lower level: If the monk is sitting, you should sit as well, avoiding sitting in a higher position than the monk.
• Use both hands when offering something and avoid passing items directly to a monk of the opposite gender; use a receiving cloth or place the item on a nearby surface instead.
• Be mindful of your feet: Never point the soles of your feet towards a monk or a Buddha image.

-------------------------------------
Join me to Welcome the Walk for Pease Monks and walk whit them on they last miles from Virginia to DC. around 15 miles.
This will be a day hike, check the weather conditions on schedule day and wear layers accordingly.
Be ready to bail out at any point if necessary.

Main idea is to join them and follow them to they final destination on Washington DC.
(This is will NOT be your comum camaraderie gathering, "we must" remain silence all the time while we follow the monks steps on they walk to DC)

Walk for Pease Facebook page, follow them here

Walk for Pease main information webpage

Walk track map here

NOTE: Day schedule is not certain just yet, will be update as soon we have certainty of the arrival to Vienna area or close neighborhood ( 16 miles - This is only and estimate distance, Vienna area is only a guess for now but they may arrive to any other location on a 20 miles radius from it)

IMPORTANT: You will need a designate driver to drop you on a location where we will join the monks, at this point we don know but will be the only way not to leave any cars on an area were it can get a ticket or be toll away.
This time, In my personal case, I may use public transportation or Uber to reach the meeting point.

More details will be post it soon.

Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey! Reindeer, Dog Sledding, Ice Hotel

Fri, Feb 20 · 7:00 PM EST

Dulles International Airport (IAD), 1 Saarinen Cir, Sterling, VA, US

Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure!

Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value.

Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever!

We visit:

• Stockholm
• Kiruna (Lapland)
• Helsinki
• Copenhagen (optional pre-trip)

The trip includes:
* 2 nights in Stockholm
* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment
* 4 nights in Kiruna
* 3 nights in Helsinki
* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki
* Boat ride in Stockholm
* Food tasting in Helsinki
* Breakfast daily
* 2 dinners and 3 lunches
* Northern Lights Tour
* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour
* Full-Day Reindeer Tour
* Husky Sleigh Ride

Price per person, double occupancy: $4995
(we match roommates for those wishing to share)
Price for single room: $6545

Not Included:
x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that)
x Meals not listed above
x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses
x Optional extension to Copenhagen

The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit
Click Here for Secure Deposit Link
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).*** Final payment due 60 days before departure***
Click Here and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit

For a detailed Day By Day itinerary:
Click Here to fill out our info request form

Limited capacity of 16 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.
***Airfare from/to the US not included***

OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)

Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.
She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions.

Click Here to see all our other fun events
SOT 2000318-10