Pictures from Ladakh (Out of sequence due to technical difficulties)

Sitting with the monks at the Tiksay monastery was great, though much different than I expected. The only Tibetan Buddhist service I’d ever been to was in San Francisco. It was all business. Everybody was reverent. This morning I had a hard time telling when it began. Many of the young monks and novices were horsing around and talking when the drums, horns, cymbals, bells and chanting started. And it kept on while the prayers were being offered. I’d say there were about 50 men and boys in robes, and about a third looked like they couldn’t care less. That said, with permission, I took a picture, recorded some chanting and music, and settled in. I must admit, I’m used to sitting on a pillow, and after an hour of sitting on a rug, I bailed and fixed my legs the rest of the way. Despite my wondering what the monks were doing being monks like THAT, it was an experience I have been looking forward to having someday for a long time.

I learned that in Leh, not all high speed connections are created equal. This place has satellite, so I was able to write yesterday and will try to post some pictures. Let’s see how it goes.

This is a beautiful headwater of a river I don’t know the name of which drains into the Indus. The mighty Indus is about as big as a fork of the American River when it flows through Leh.

Here is the freezing cold tent camp in Sarchu we spent the night in on the two day drive from Manal to Leh.

If you’re wondering what it looks like at the top of the highest pass at about 18,000 ft, here it is. See those mountains in the distance. Leh is in a valley between here and there. “There” is the ridge that generally marks the Chinese border.

Leh, capital of Ladakh, from the roof of the 17th century Leh Palace.

The crumbling Leh Palace. It’s being restored, with the helpof the British. The Brits, Indians, and Ladakhis all want it done a different way. I think they ought to do it the Brits’ way, which is not to repaint over the old frescoes. The Ladakhis want it repainted the same, but covering the original, so it will look brand new. The Indians want whatever is cheap. Or so that’s what I was told.

Morning prayers at the Tiksay monastery. I’m sorry about the blur. I had to take it in existing light.

Monastery in Tiksay, about 20 km east of Leh.

A few of the buildings, like the prayer hall and probably the senior monksquarters, are in good repair. Most of thebuildings are like this. These are monk’s quarters.