Just a quick entry, internet here in Leh is only by satellite and really expensive. After a night in Manali Benji and took our chances and boarded a state bus to Leh- a 2 day journey with an overnight stop at over 4000 meters. Along the bumpy bumpy ride was some of the most gorgeaus scenery I've ever seen- crystal clear mountain lakes, high peaks with even higher ones behind, a dupatta of snow spread across mountain shoulders, incredible changing landscapes from rushing river valleys to deserts to magenta mineral rocks. Unbelievable. Leh is an outpost of Buddhism with tons of Tibetan refugees and suprisingly few Israelis compared to Manali and Delhi.
I've been a bit sick from the altitude and the journey, which included the 2nd highest motorable pass in the world at 5360 meters (that's 17585 feet for you Americans), but after spending an inordinate amount of time sleeping in the past 2 days, I'm finally feeling stronger. Tomorrow we're going to visit the former Buddhist capital in Shey, and a big monastery nearby, and then Saturday a day trip to a mountain lake by jeep. Such beauty. It really feels like we're at some place of enormous historical significance in terms of geology and plate tectonics (I'm a nerd, I know)- this is where the subcontinent collided with Asia, and it really shows. The Himalayas are simply breathtaking (kinda literally, actually, with such less oxygen in the air!).
Sunday we leave for Srinigar, and then onto Dharamsala for the Dalai Lama's birthday. What should I get him for a present?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
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