From Brahma to Buddha, Spring 2008

Dear Loyal Blog Readers,

I'm posting a quick note to let you all know that we LOVE Ladakh and the giggling is increasing minute by minute. I'm starting to think it has noting to do with altitude adjustment, just silliness :)

The trucks are packed, the group is off hunting down some traditional Ladakhi bread, peanut butter, apricot jam, and of course, nutella (!) for our mid afternoon snack while we make an expedition westward toward the village of Domkhar. We'll make one stop in Alchi, home of one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh dating from the 12 century A.D. We'll appreciate some exquisitely painted Buddhas and Bodhisattvas by Kashmiri artists and look upon a Kalachakra sand mandala that will possibly plant some seeds to be reborn in some future life in the mystical land of Shambhala in order to help the world establish peace. Then we'll continue down the river, past the confluence of the mighty Indus river and the just-as-mighty Zangskar river (start of the famous Chadar trek where you walk for 2+ weeks down the frozen river into the kingdom of Zangskar), and tonight, will meet our Ladakhi homestay families with whom we will chill with for about a week.

Stay tuned for updates, either by spotty internet connection, or from John through our phone calls.

Hope spring is treating you all well back in the states - I'm personally loving the freezing cold weather!

Jullay!

Tracy