It's been almost two weeks since I first arrived in Leh, Ladakh...I think? (I just went through old emails to attempt and find the date that I actually arrived in Leh because it seems to have escaped me, but alas!).
Even though my fellow travel companions have returned Stateside, I just can't seem to leave...
10. Delhi is hot. Very very hot.
9. Leh, the capital of the region, Ladakh, is a beautiful little town known to many as "Little Tibet." The landscape glitters with Tibetan prayer flags, fresh momos are served at almost every restaurant and Buddhist Stupas adorn the landscape. Located in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, whose history is a precarious, seemingly never-ending conflict between India and Pakistan, the region, regardless, is a super interesting blend of culture, religion and tradition.
8. Shanti Stupa. This amazing Buddhist Stupa built by the Japanese as a symbol of peace is steep 559 or 574 step climb (depending on the day, I'm still confused). It gives the perfect view of the snow-capped himalayas and fertile valley below. Obviously jumping photos were taken.
7. No mobile service. No phonecalls, no smsing, no yeah. It's kinda nice. But, of course, I still use my mobile for all the practical things like, the flashlight, alarm clock and calendar.
6. Rajinderji, my yogi. Yes, yes, I know I have spent many a year ridiculing yoga and all that "stretching," but I've finally given in. What started as a one day class to feel like I was getting some physical activity on my vacation, turned into a 5-day course covering the fundamentals of Hatha yoga. Then, when I used my charm and not-so-perfect Hindi, I managed to get a discount after day 5, Rajinderji probably assuming I wouldn't stay on... You best believe I extended the class to 10 days. Maybe this point should be renamed "Discounts?"
5. My 150 Rs. room at the Asia Guest House. It's small, clean and has a view of the mountains.
4. Dorjay, our 26-year old tour guide through Ladakh...who is now my best friend within hundreds of kilometres. We share chai, goldflakes and chang, locally brewed barley beer, whenever I randomly run into him on the street.
3. The fresh pastries in the glass bakery cases that line the streets. Last night I was having a chocolate "craving," which, in any other instance would mean a 5 Rs. DairyMilk chocolate bar, actually ended up being a huuuuuge chocolate donut. Mmmm.
2. The simpleness, relaxation & peace and community feeling that comes from smalltownness and villageness is addicting. From spending 4 cold nights living with an Old Ladakhi Auntie and experiencing everyday local life to seeing welcoming familiar faces on the street, it's almost like everybody knows your name...but at the same time, you feel like you can lose yourself on the streets and be just another tourist. It's an interesting feeling. I like it.
1. The 2-day journey from Manali to Leh via road through some of the highest mountain passes in the world was gorgeous, breath-taking and unlike any journey I've ever experienced. It definitely is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Unfortunately, I discovered that flights were over $200 to return to Delhi. So, it looks like the journey by road is turning into a twice-in-a-lifetime experience...not going to lie, I'm dreading the altitude sickness, windy roads late at night over jaw-dropping cliffs and seeing trucks on the side of the mountain that didn't make it...
1 comment:
I can't believe it's been over a friggin year since Thailand/Vietnam! Where does the time go?????
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