From Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2007

Hello!

Team India is back in Leh for a day to prepare for our trek and send some emails to those at home who have no idea what's going on here. The past six days have been a lot of fun. I milked a cow and helped make momos and skyu or, rather, attempted to make momos and skyu. (Even misshapen, mine still tasted pretty good, I think). We headed up to the government school one afternoon for some singing and dancing, and on another afternoon we hiked in Upper Domkhar and stopped in at the small elementary school there. Everywhere we went people were happy to see us and spend time with us. We were offered many, many cups of tea, mostly milk but I have developed a taste for butter. Mmmmmmmm yummy.

My homestay was a little different from everyone else's because I stayed with the headmaster of the school and he and his son spoke good English. However, that just gave me the chance to try to explain some of America's quirks and problems, like why we have poverty and if we are happy and what my school was like and what crops we grow and sports we like best (not cricket). While others came back to our group meetings with stories of funny miscommunications and moments, I was able to question my family about what they were doing, why, and how. I enjoyed that a lot, and maybe next time I will be able to share a story like Zach's or Ole's or Sam's (and I won't share them here in hopes they share them themselves. Guys?).

We spent a day at SECMOL speaking slow, careful English with the students there. Even though they have been speaking it for only three months, their English is surprisingly good because they were made to memorize complicated English sentences for many years for their exams. During the afternoon we did a little cleaning and I cleaned a very dirty floor, so dirty that we were hauling out piles of dirt on sacks. This morning some of the students were putting pots and trophies on the shelves in that room and I was glad it was now clean. Last night we again danced and sang with the students and staff, taking turns with our acts.

After a short ride this morning we are again in Leh and after I post this entry some of us are going out to find some odds and ends for the trek and maybe, if we search and bargain right, some things to take home with us to remember this beautiful place.

Natalie