WOW! Dena Moes, "The Buddha Sat Right Here" "A Family Odyssey Through India and Nepal," writes a unique memoir, and vividly describes and writes about her family, their travels, the landscape, the food and the people in India and surrounding areas. At times I forgot that this was a memoir, especially when she described her family. I appreciate all the memories that Dena has written about traveling in India, sharing her most private thoughts, and those of her family. What is impressive is that there are excerpts from her daughter writing her impressions and most private thoughts as well.

I felt like I had purchased a ticket and was traveling with the Moes family. Dena writes both about the beauty and ugliness, the wealth and the poverty, and the religion and beliefs in India. The author has a way of writing to appeal to the senses, I could smell, feel, touch, taste, hear and feel many things. For example, when Dena spoke about food, she described how some dishes tasted, smelled like, look like, felt like and hear what was going around.

I do admire the Moes family for traveling for months as a family, which seemed to be a wonderful learning experience for the children. The family was in tight quarters most of the time, and Dena has great insight into what has made her unhappy. Dena is a Midwife/Nurse and has delivered many babies, takes care of her home, has the responsibilities of her family and has little time left for her. She questions why.

In India, she sees that there is a sisterhood that helps one another in times of need. This was an extremely well-written book, and I recommend that you read this to learn the cultural differences and a families' journey into traveling and learning about themselves. ( )

How often have you daydreamed about stepping away from your hectic life and traveling to another country? Dena Moes not only dreamed about going to India and Nepal, she did it. She left her job, pulled her two daughters out of school and invited her husband to come along on an eight-month spiritual journey through India and Nepal, ultimately leading them to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the tree where the Buddha sat, and the arms of Amma the Divine Mother. Dena had committed herself to the practices of Buddhism. It was one of the traits that attracted her to her husband.

Her believable story is not only a fascinating and graphic kaleidoscope of people and places—a travelogue—but an intriguing and dramatic unfolding of her life as a wife and mother. Each character comes alive on the page through vivid sensory details; each scene rich with colorful scenic descriptions. As a reader, I was enthralled and engaged. It felt like I was there with her.

This is a heroine’s journey into the heart ad soul of a woman seeking to find her greater purpose. By the time the journey is over, the reader can see and feel the transformation in this woman and her family. I highly recommend this satisfying and engaging memoir. ( )