Change of plans.
Decided to stay in Srinagar another week before heading of to Zanskar and Leh for teachings  because we found out teaching start later than we first thought.

Anyway today  I walked along some new routes in Srinagar and I saw some interesting anti drug campaign posters which are just outside the army barracks. You can see
the barrack number is on the bottom of the posters. Drug use in the valley is on the increase, mostly hasheesh and prescription drugs, such as painkillers and sleeping pills. I have not heard about the use of heroin here, which is unusual since their is a poppy trail into India from Afghanistan. I have not come across any statistics for drug use but it is on the rise and their is only one treatment centre in town. This conflict and lack of jobs and development has torn apart society on so many levels, drug use is just one part.


Today I also meat four Hindu monk/yogis who were just back from the Amarnath holy cave. Dressed in their saffron robes they looked so out of place especially the monk/ yogi in full Zhiva dress complete with trident and fake tiger skin loin cloth with ashes smeared on his body. They were so happy that they had just finished pilgrimage and were on their way back to Uttar Pradesh. So nice to have some happy aesthetics walking the streets who were very polite an happy to chat with a foreigner lass. They made my day.