The Shanti
Stupa.
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As
you can see in the picture above, it has two levels. First you have
to take your shoes off, then go up and around in a clockwise
direction. Along the first level are these decorations. Buddha is
depicted in many positions in his statues and
pictures. Most of them were explained to me, but I have since
forgotten and am unable to find adequate documentation. I do know
the image above these Buddhas is a Conch shell, which has a whole bunch of
meanings on its
own.
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On the second level
are four larger depictions of Buddha. I think they start with his
birth, enlightment, teaching and his death. Did you know Buddha was a prince? He was married and had a son,
but gave it all up in search of
enlightenment.
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We hiked down from the stupa and up and around
the valley. Along the way, we passed this thing. It's a yak/cow mix
called a Dzo. Apparently the free-roaming live-stock
thing is just how it is in India. In addtion to dzos, we saw, cows,
and donkeys roaming the streets and fields of
Leh.
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Looking back to the south past the
stupa.
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A self portrait
showing Ma I'm really here and Amber what fun digital self portraits
can
be.
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This is me trying to be an artist. This wall
stretched on for a while and looked pretty cool as it traversed the
hill. Not sure I captured what I wanted in the photo, but I included
it anyway. It was surrounding new construction of some kind of Hindu
facility.
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This is looking up towards Khardung La . As Amber and I were
hiking around the valley, I kept seeing these glints of metal high up
on the mountain. Looked to me like a road and Amber confirmed.
Khardung La is mistakenly known as the highest motorable pass in the
world. It's actually number three at around 17,600ft. Either way,
I concocted the idea of renting a motorcycle the following day
and driving up there. Amber said it was possible. I would need a
permit to get there and to grease someone's palm to overlook me not
having my license, but it was possible. I'd have to discuss it with
David at the guest house for more information. For the rest of the
day, I'd see glints against the drab rock and fanatasize about the
ride.
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In
the valley
there
was a monastery we were looking for. For a little while we could
hear drums and follow them, but when they quit we just ended up
walking through the village. The grass on this roof became a common
sight, so I asked Amber why? The grass is for the animals in the
winter. They harvest it, like we harvest hay, but keep it on their
roofs for storage. I suppose it insulates
too.
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Here's a picture of a fancy house. I take so
many pictures of non-fancy things, I thought I'd include something
nice. All the woodwork around the windows is done by hand. It's done
that way for every house not just the fancy
ones.
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