people who smile and invite you in for tea. Each village is fed by
glacier streams and is tropical green. One step away and it is hot
dusty desert. The mountains climb up past 7000 m and the trails and
passes climb up to 5400m in searing desert heat. The only plants in
the desert seem to be highly flowered or highly fragrant. Every
morning the yaks and cows are herded out of the village to graze.
Often through our chosen campsite. One yak in particular couldn't stop
sniffing our stove. The women in traditional outfits stop and laugh
and giggle at us.
The main valleys are highly militarized. It is an important area for
India and the militants are constantly attacking the neighboring
province. Four dead yesterday in Kashmir.
The roads are insane. Bulldozed into unstable cliffs while heavy truck
traffic continues to pass. Tires sometimes come inches from the edge.
The roads are always under construction. Indians are brought in and
they work diligently in the heat both women and children babies
sitting in the sun well the adults load trucks by hand with rocks or
shovel dirt. The Tibetans are the friendly ones. The Indian workers
don't even glance at us.
We rode the bus back today and our rest stop was a little stream. The
bus was washed while the adults drank and bathed the children in the
same stream.
It is so surreal here. My feet were hurting so I decided to vaseline
between my toes to stop the dust rubbing them raw. As soon as I had my
shoes off and my hand in vaseline a car flew by and screeched to a
halt in front of us. A couple got out in complete traditional wedding
gear and preceded to greet us and shake our hands.
Tomorrow is a rest day and then hiking into Nubra valley (7 days).
Tyson
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