Pangong Lake, Ladakh
What I enjoyed most in Ladakh was the conversations with the locals, when it happened. My husband was buying a second hand ‘down’ jacket. He asked the shopkeeper, “Mein kaise maan lun ki ye down hai?” (How do I believe you it is actually down). The shopkeeper’s reply still rings in my ears. He said, “Mere paas kuch he aur din hai fir upar jana hai, mein aapko dokha kyon dunga?” (I have only a few days left here then I have to go from this world, why I will cheat you). Can’t remember when I heard such a conversation in my daily life!
The name of our young driver on the trip from Leh to the Pangong Lake was a Toni (In the picture above, with goggles). He has a colorful personality and he drove the jeep like a rally driver. I wonder why nobody things of training these chaps for F1, no seriously. But behind the colorful personality is an extremely composed mind.
He was telling me he takes the jeep from Leh to Manali and they have to come back empty, because from there Himanchal Pradesh drivers come full (and they go back empty from Leh). So I asked him why doesn’t he gets some passengers and take the money, on the way back (tourists know that JK number vehicles will take them for less if they are somehow approached). He said, “Jeep wala naa bhi dekhe tou kya, uparwala tou dekhta hai” (Even though the jeep owner may not know, but the One sitting above can see). I was completely taken aback.
Now that I am back to my usual grind, I thought I should write this down, before I forget.
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Hi Uma,Thanks for stopping by. I agree 100% with you about Ladakh being a different experience.
hi mridula ladhakh is a different experience spritually,geographically etc etci visited with another friend in 2000what a coincidencei posted abt it yesterday ,uma
Ladakh is really a different place. In fact at times you feel you are in another country, too many foreign tourists and too few Indian. Thanks a lot for stopping by again.
Your memoir of Ladakh is touching – cant expect such philosophical comment from so called “uneducated” local people…expecting more such posts ……
You should really really visit Ladakh, and give ample time there. I surely am going to come by again, I am linking you. Thanks a lot for your comment.
you are right, such honesty is rare! one has to constantly watch out against being made a fool of. i have always wanted to visit ladakh, but havent yet. love that pic of the lake.am glad you visited my blog, gave me a chance to visit yours. thanks. hope you come by again.