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We are back in Leh again. After 4 lovely days in the little town of Stok, were we stayed in tents in the wealthy garden of a nice Ladakhi family. We ate marvellous Ladakhi food with vegetables from their garden, sitting on cushions in their traditional dining room. The house is situated in an oasis of little green fields, carefully irrigated. The village is surrounded by high mountains of the Stok Kangri, a snowed peak of 6200 meters. This was a big supplementary experience. On that marvellous place we enjoyed something even more special. We spent two days in silence under the competent accompaniment of a skilled meditation teacher, Vivek. During the first day we learnt how to sit in silence and observe our thoughts. After that we learned how to walk consciously in the garden, this as an introduction to the dedicational ascent of the mountain the next day. So we started walking the mountain silently, slowly proceeding and often sitting down alone with nature and oneself. It was intense, and not always simple. After a meditation we had to wait until half past five in the morning to speak again. On that day we went back to climb the morning with the whole group. Much higher this time, up to 4500 meter, to practise. Now we are ready for the high peak we have toe climb the next days.

We left the family after a nice meal, and with a ramshackle school bus we drove back to Leh in the dark, leaving this little paradise behind us.

Today is the first day of the Ladakh festival. Party all over, parades and masquerade dancing, jewel ladies, sword men, monks with yellow hats, camels and yaks. Tomorrow there is a show in a farther monastery with masked monks dancing, and a promising horse polo game. On Monday we are driving by jeep to our start point for the big mountain trekking. You wont probably be hearing of us for two weeks. That high in the Himalayas there is no internet. Now we are going to do some shopping, heavy pullover, sun protection cream, caps and gloves, ...

Our next report will be from Spiti, the valey we are meant to arrive.

Julay! (local enthusiast greeting)

Report from 01/09/2007, Translated by Mieke.