Farewell to Leh
Dear Friends and Family,
Thanks to those of you who wrote to express concern about the bombings. I only just learned about them myself a couple of hours ago, and I am horrified. Also a little scared - we're flying back to Delhi tomorrow morning - early. I'd like to believe that the people who put together these sorts of disasters have understandable motivations - I can even understand resentment and hatred of the US and its citizens, but I cannot comprehend why anyone would be motivated to plan and carry out destruction of this magnitude in India - I wanted to believe that India was a peaceful place, and that it had in common with NYC a certain cosmopolitan diversity which made it a strong and tolerant nation. Apparently not everyone likes this quality.
We just got back to Leh after spending a couple of days looking at monasteries in Alchi and Lakir. Alchi has beautiful wall murals and dates back to the 11th century...Lakir has a golden Buddha sitting on the roof. Some of my best pictures are taken off the roofs of these monasteries - the scenery is stunning with glaciated mountains in the background, but a bit desertified and barren - like I would imagine Mars to be. The temples in these monasteries are disappointing in only one aspect - that is, they are a little dusty and poorly lit - and one is not allowed to take flash pictures...
Tonight was the last night all 15 of us were to be together....we had tea with Khen Rinpiche (the head of the Siddharta School in Stok), and talked Buddhism, then dinner and a little get together in which we gave some gifts to the leaders (Alex and David) and to our guide (Kelsang).
So this is it from Leh. If I get a chance to write more, I will send notes about Agra, which is next on the list.
Lots of love,
Laura