Hello all! We are about to leave on our second trek! Our bags are packed and we’re ready to go! Tomorrow we will begin the Markha Trek, a beautiful and challenging route. We will walk from Chilling to Shangsumdo, passing Skiu, Sara, Markha,......Read More
A winding road of thoughts. 02 July, 2019; 21:34 No photograph or combination of words can ever truly describe or explain the seemingly-irrational and unbelievable beauty of Ladakh, India. The nearly perfect counterpart to New Delhi’s humid, hazy,......Read More
The ceilings in the homestays we’ve stayed at are often quite similar. They’re usually made out of long and heavy poplar logs, with smaller willow saplings perpendicular to them, creating a tight lattice structure. There are variations, though,......Read More
We have spent the last two weeks forming a “little” family of thirteen on this trip. We imagine if we sat down to list all the people who have been part of our journey so far, the number would be far greater. Perhaps we will do that one day......Read More
Hello all! We are back from our beautiful Sham Valley Trek! So happy to have gotten the opportunity to hike through the Ladakhi mountains and visit so many wonderful homestays along the way. After a successful first trek, we are off to our rural......Read More
During our first trek we hiked to many different unique villages, climbed over mountainous passes, and visited different monasteries. There was always something new and beautiful to see....Read More
During my time at Ladakh, I read a Ladakhi City mouse and Country mouse, which made me wonder whether which lifestyle I would prefer. From living in cities such as Delhi and Tokyo, I understood what kind of behaviors a person would experience before......Read More
Jullay from Ladakh! We are so thrilled to finally be here together. We just finished an informative and restful orientation at the Nyanjan Guesthouse in Phyang, a village about forty minutes from the main town, Leh. We got to know each other better,......Read More
When we walked out of the Delhi airport into the hazy morning air, we were met with a barrage of sounds, smells, and especially heat. It was only 6:00am, but there were rarely more than a few seconds without someone shouting and cars honking. And......Read More
Before I left for this trip, the pace of life at home significantly contrasted what it looks like today in Phyang. My time was spent chaotically running around from place to place checking things off of my long list of to do’s, always thinking......Read More
Today we woke up to the chanting of the monastery. It is located on a hill overlooking the valley we are staying in. Back at home my sleep is abruptly halted with a harsh alarm, but in Ladakh the beautiful chanting slowly and pleasantly brought me......Read More
Mealtimes here are deliberate, mindful experiences. They are the polar opposite of American-style family meals, where everyone comes together and chats about their days. Meals are eaten quietly, often in silence. They are relaxing spaces to think......Read More
And we are so happy. The group flew from Delhi up to Leh early this morning and we are in awe of the mountain views. For now we are settled into a sweet guest house in Phyang where we are doing our orientation and visiting a local monastery....Read More
Hello all! The group flight has arrived! Lydia and Charlie got in last night and Ronan arrived this morning. Liana will be with us tonight! Once she arrives, we will post a photo 🙂 For now we are drinking cups of chai and eating breakfast,......Read More
The students for North India are together at the airport, accompanied by their instructor Elena. They’ll be meeting Ronan, Charlie, Lydia, and the rest of the instructor team in India…can’t wait!...Read More
