Thursday, September 22, 2011

Day 14: Adorable Monk and Pangong Tso


9/19/2011 Day 14 (Guidebook Day 10 – led by Marianne)

This morning we passed over what also claims to be the second highest pass in India at 17,586 ft. Either way, I’ve definitely passed over the second AND third highest passes.


In the afternoon we went to the Karakorum shear zone at Tangste

I admittedly didn’t look at the rocks much, and instead went to the monastery (seen perched on the rocks in the picture above) with Debra. Upon reaching the top of the monastery, we were greeted by a sweet old monk. After serving us some orange soda, he gestured for us to follow him. He took us to three rooms in the monastery (unlocking each one as we came to them) that were obviously places for prayer. (I don’t have pictures from within these rooms because photographys is discouraged in these places.) There was an obvious language barrier, but he would still chat with us anyways. He would sometime point out the different gods, giving us their names, which we attempted to pronounce. (Butchered pronunciation on our part was often followed by a warm laugh and a pat on the shoulder.) At the end of the tour, he offered us both chai. Before we left, he probably gave us about five hugs each. He was adorable; he totally made my day. I wonder if he is the only person up there most of the time. I saw no one else.





Our tour guide


Then we went to Pangong Tso and hung out for the rest of the day.



There was a guy dressed all in white that kept walking along the beach with his arms held out wide (being filmed the whole time). I’m not sure what it was for, but in my heart I hope it has something to do with a Bollywood movie or a music video. Jacob thinks it's a video about Indian Jesus. All scenarios - awesome.

Today we drove from  Upshi to Pangong Tso.

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