After 6+ years of adding Slavic spice to the environmental education programmes at the WWT London Wetland Centre, there was a danger of succumbing to the well known life-distracter sometimes known as 'natural career progression in management'.
Wanting to reawaken and start a new, different cycle I am flying (carbon footprint covered) southwest - via Argentina and Australasia, on route to Himalayan region.
The 'sensible' part comes disguised as research for Masters in Science Education and exchange of experiences with colleagues in the field.
The rest is as open as infinity...and beyond. ... full info
Going for gold...My last week in Spituk..and the fields of barley are going golden
Together for another momentOh ...so much warmth and joy shared... I remember it being said in some teachings that humans have less idea what to do with joy than hardship and suffering.
New roomsLook at the boys eyes and you will know how much difference the refurbished dorm rooms will make. The fundraising does not stop - there is a need for new/more classrooms in the school, some seating or writing desks, winter clothing... So if you have not had a chance...take a chance...I'm back in UK from tomorrow.
Doughnuts ruleIn the last week there were lots of farewell dinners...mainly with adult friends and teachers. Not to miss out treating the boys I did (with their exhuberant help) a chips and Crotian doughnuts night. We kicked off at 6 and were still smearing each other with Nutella and jam at 9... I don't think boys liked it ;)...as you can tell.
Farewell to Jangspal familyIn the last week work on the facade of their house was finished and floweres were splashing their last colour vibes in the garden. I can't wait to see which colour opf the walls they decide to go for. There was a mention of serpo, marpo and karpo... What would you go for?
For my English chumsTea and momo break afte Rothang-la...they go out of their way to make us feel at home...
Rothang pass...and then..this.Looking down towards Manali...my eyes felt wrong...there was just too much green everywhere.
Dharamsala-Mcloud Ganj -a view from Geden Choeling nunneryBlinded by green...I took to the nunnery...their day starts at 5 am with puja and I have heard their vioces practice the traditional debate until 9-10pm. I joined the puja on my last day...and sort of cacooned the rest of the time with my books and communal conjunctivitis.
A day in Mcloud GanjI mean...for 14 out of 17 days I was there, it rained. Nuff' said. Ask the monkey.
#@***##% :( !...and to you too...wet Betty, you bloomin' thief:
bread-gone, chocolate brownie!#*!!!-gone and a carton of juice!!!!-gone.
A carton of juice!
It sort of lead me to believe that my missing binoculars were a part of a ploy to take over...
Too much rain...
Article 5 demo Read about it and get involved...It pushes the boundaries of constriction into the area of absurd and desperate. The 2008 olympics are coming - check out free Tibet website etc...
Middle England? ...nope.On the way to Tibetan Children's Village I suddenly felt I was already back in UK. I met an interesting man who lives and preaches from this church...unassuming but 'different'...
sisters abroadThe lovely Ladakhi nuns have come to call me Pema... and have insisited in offering 6 hands to help me with the 3 bags on my departure. Different kind of love...
...and brothers..If Karma has led me to Ladakh and all these people...than I want to hug it with purest love and appreciation.
Basket time in ChandigarhThis is Angmo's basket gang...rearing to go. I had great fun supporting the "blues" in full voice. I think they were red from the sun rather than embarassment...
NIck Chand Rock Garden cityThis place made me wander what makes a man quetly, and for a long time without anyone noticing, build a "city" of shapes and figres...as an expression of his artistic drive...For what I though it was from reading about it, it was not.
Spituk I didn't realise that you were staying at the SPITUK monastery, I've definitely visited it, just can't remember which it was. How far is it from Leh, might remember if I had directions? So glad that you have enjoyed your journey to Ladakh so much, it certainly is a very special place isn't it. Take care. LoL Wendy.
PS Is it just a Common Darter, one would think it to be something more exotic.
Wendy
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Spituk
I didn't realise that you were staying at the SPITUK monastery, I've definitely visited it, just can't remember which it was. How far is it from Leh, might remember if I had directions? So glad that you have enjoyed your journey to Ladakh so much, it certainly is a very special place isn't it. Take care. LoL Wendy. PS Is it just a Common Darter, one would think it to be something more exotic.