Here are some updates from the past few days!

July 9:

On July 9, we had a long trek into Hemis Shukpachan, where we rested and made momos at a friendly homestay.

July 10:

July 10 found us up early, eating a delicious breakfast of roti, eggs, and tea. We solo hiked (with each student spaced about three minutes apart) through a beautiful pastoral landscape at Hemis, and then our group reunited to take in a breathtaking vista of snow-capped peaks and a cavernous valley. After fortifying ourselves with local dried apricots and snacks, we made a long descent into the valley, then pulled ourselves up our highest pass of the trek. Stanzin (our guide) and Sarah had stashed a string of prayer flags, which had been blessed by a monk at Likir Monastery, and together our group tied the prayer flags at the top of the pass.

We had an easy descent into the village of Ang, where the girls went to the river to wash their hair, and all enjoyed a relaxing afternoon rest. In the evening, we helped make momos, and played with the little boy at our homestay.

July 11:

We trekked from Ang to the village of Teya, the site of our three-day homestay. After a tough initial ascent, the trail evened out, and we made our way to Teya, where the group divided into pairs to stay with local families. After a tour of the village (and some delicious mango juice), we separated to our homes for dinner. Some helped to cook with their families, others played with the children at their homestays, and all enjoyed the peace, quiet, and beauty of the village.

July 12:

In the morning after breakfast, we visited the local government high school at Teya. We gathered for the school’s morning assembly, then participated in classroom observations. Some watched a biology class, while others sat in on Hindi lessons. One group thinks they learned 2200 years of Indian history in a 45-minute class! After the classes adjourned, all of the students gathered in a common room to hold a conversation class in English. Our group came prepared with questions related to our independent studies. The discussions were lively, and ranged from snow leopard conservation to local music traditions. We wrapped up with the school by lunchtime, which we spent with our host families. Then we headed up the hill to a local monastery, where a high Rinpoche (teaching monk) was conducting a special ceremony. We observed the ceremony (along with most of the village of Teya) under a hot afternoon sun, then retired to a small sanctuary at a nearby stream where we cooled off and our guide, Stanzin, offered a translation and interpretation of the event. In the evening, we met a local sculptor who was designing statues of the Buddha for the monastery, and admired his handiwork. Finally, we met with a local elder and learned the history of the village. As we walked back to our homestays, one resident showed us a sheep pen where fourteen sheep had been killed by a snow leopard only days before! Back in Teya, we said goodbye to each other and joined our host families for dinner.

July 13:

Today found us visiting a different monastery in Teya, as well as a nunnery, where we interviewed an older nun about her life and the requirements of living a monastic life. In the afternoon, we met with an amchi (traditional Tibetan medical practitioner), who brought with him his tools and medicines to show to the students. We enjoyed a final evening together with our homestay families, and prepared for the ride back to SECMOL.

July 14:

After breakfast, we bid a fond farewell to our host families, and began a scenic drive to Alchi, site of a famous monastery noted for its Kashmiri style of paintings. We stopped on the way at a new hydroelectric dam, which we learned will soon power much of Ladakh. After the visit to the dam, we visited Stanzin’s home, and enjoyed a cup of tea. At the Alchi monastery, we took in the elaborate carvings and paintings, then enjoyed a delicious Indian feast at a nearby restaurant. Everyone was excited to arrive back at SECMOL to greet their friends and share stories about the trek — and we were even more excited when we learned that it was momo-making night! We showered and did some laundry, then helped to chop mountains of vegetables and roll out dough, before assembling the ingredients into the delightful dumplings we have come to love. As is the case with many activities at SECMOL, the work itself quickly became play, and the students were dancing and singing as they folded momos. After a late dinner, we all slept well after a long week’s adventure in the Himalayan wilderness. We are so very proud of this group of trekkers!

Sarah and Karan