It has been a relaxing
time here in Leh, which was much needed. Also the altitude seems to make
everything just that wee bit slower. I first laughed at the new oxygen bar now
go every day for a hit of O2 and what a difference it makes. I have met some
great people from all over the world, at the Mahabodhi Society which offers
daily meditation and yoga classes. The German instructor makes a point every
class to ask people countries and it has been a nice way to get to know some
people while I am here.
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| the welcome commity |
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| Making Ladhaki chapati |
Yesterday also visited
the open house day at the Women;s Alliance of Ladhak. .
http://womenallianceladakh.org/ The ladies were all in their
traditional dress and showing off their home make goods, everything from jams
to clothes and cooking up all kind of traditional foods. I had often seen their
good displayed in small shops in Zanskar so it was good to see how their co-op
has grown since its beginning in the late 80’s. Before the 80’s invasion of the
modern world, Ladhak was pretty much self sufficient. They have a great melted
snow fed irrigation system for their fields as well as open water way alongside
the street that bring water into people’s homes and gardens. The houses are mud
brick and wood which is cool in summer and warm in winter. The crops are dried
or pickled and used over the long winters, the local booze (chang) is made from
barley, clothes are home spun wool while the shoes were leather and wool and
even the traditional toilets are dry compost toilets. Now-a-days there has been
a huge influx of disposable and packaged goods and plastic so the environment
has taken a beaten. However there is also a fast growing interest in
environmental awareness and getting back to recycling and respect for the land,
which is great to see.
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| Thiksay Monastery |
Down the valley from
Leh and in the surrounding areas are many small villages with large monasteries.
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| Matreya |
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| Shakyamuni |
Today jumped on the bus out to Thiksay Monastery which is beautiful and perched
on a small hill. It is home to the biggest and most stunning statue of Matreya
Buddha. It was very inspiring; if only the Indian tourist would be quiet. Then
went down to Shey place, the old seat of Ladhaki royalty, before the palace was
built in Leh. After another slow climb up the hill huffing and puffing I was
warmly greeted by a monk and his cat at the entrance to a very dark and musty
room where a huge statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is on display. The wall paintings
were barely recognizable as years of smoke from butter lamps had coated the
walls. The statue was stunning and the room set up in such a way that you can
sit on the well worn wood floor and look into the face to the Buddha. So after a
donation and a prayer or two I sat down for a wee meditation, but that was
completely disrupted by the cat that came and sat on my lap and demand to be
cuddled and petted. Such a joy. Om Mani Padme Hung Purrrrrrrrrrr.
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| with Neil and Karen |
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