Tracy Update!
So where to start!
It has been a bunch of interesting days filled with lots of travel and spending time with friends since I last saw you all. I'm here at SECMOL now helping out with their summer camps which is quite similar and quite different from the summer camps I have worked at in the past. There are just about 200 people on the campus here, which is more than they have ever had living here at one time. Ladakhi students from blocks far from Leh are here practicing English, learning about Ladakhi history and culture that isn't taught in school. There are even two or three from Domkhar High School!
I had a wonderful journey through Jammu and Kashmir to get up to Ladakh -- I wanted to do something different than just fly from Delhi, so I spent four days in buses and shared jeeps crossing through Srinagar (look on a map, Ellie) and some amazing passes that are just totally dramatic. As you are driving through, the valleys are greener than you ever thought green could be, and the mountain peaks are reaching up so far you have to wrench your neck to get a good view from the car window... not to mention the glaciers that are just sitting in the small valleys and the cars drive so close to the ends that you can reach out and touch the ice. It was the first time I had ever seen a glacier in real life (my B.A. was studying about the glaciation of the Northeastern U.S.) so all of these concepts fell into place as I passed one and I saw all the sand, rocks, gravel, and random things drip drip dripping away. So, the trip was long, but rewarding and I'm happy to be back in this community and able to contribute again.
Right now, as I'm typing, I can hear Paldan teaching traditional Ladakhi dance to a group of the summer campers -- they are yelling loudly and giggling!
I'm thinking a lot about all of you and your transition back to the states... how's it going? What's new? What things have you noticed now that you've been back for a while? Tiff and Ellie, how's the project going?
Keep us all updated!
love,
T
Comments
Tracy-leh!
I miss you and I was so glad to see your post. I am currently in Canada having a blast with a few minor bumps. It was a little strange being home for 5 days then coming here. It made readjustment interesting... I am excited to be speaking french and hanging out. I will post a more complete blog when I get home.
Love you,
ellie
Posted by: Ellie | May 30, 2008 02:35 AM