The Apricot Bloom – Ladakh

Apricot Bloom…..Ladhak

As we stood under the Apricot Trees, Full of blooms with White Flowers filling our lungs with purest of air with a whiff of apricots in 2016, it was surreal, we couldn’t believe we were in LEH.

Following our Instincts……

A trip to Ladakh was planned on instinct. To date it makes me wonder and at the same time Happy that we followed our Instinct. Ladakh being at a high altitude Oxygen level is low. Prepared like a warrior loaded with medicines and Camphor pouches made with beautiful threads hanging around our Necks we were on the early morning flight.

Sleepless Night for a glimpse of the mighty Himalaya

This was our First long trip and that too to the Himalayas. We bubbled with high energy and enthusiasm. As the airplane speaker crackled announcing the first glimpses, with groggy eyes full of sleep I peered out. WOW!!!!!!!!!! Amazing was the first word for the first sight of the snow capped Himalayas. It seemed like icing sugar sprinkled on the mount of the cake with orange reflection from the early morning Sun.

First Look of LEH with STENZING

Madamji   JULAY (WELCOME). I am stenzing”, I am your Guide, driver and Humsafar for the next 5 days. Wearing a NEON green jacket with orange glares Stenzing with the most contrasting colors to the Landscape welcomed us.

As we drove through Leh city to reach our Hotel, the flat roof houses with wood carved windows and Balconies caught our attention.

Leh is the largest city of Ladakh. With a traditional welcome of a white scarf, we were told to rest for the day to get acclimatized to the high altitude climate.

Laddakh a state of Jammu & Kashmir is cradled in the south by the Himalayas and in the North by the Kunlun mountains. The state is sparsely populated and  has extreme weather conditions. The Sparse tall green poplar and willow trees give the landscape a pristine look with the vivid hue of colors like brown, blue, white and  green. The vast Barren landscape makes a perfect picture for an artist’s canvas.

Sneaking in the evening for lifetime memories

As we venture out but with a word of caution, therefore to stay close to the hotel we access the lanes nearby and  find this two-story house with the owners going about their work.

What catches our eyes are the trees laden with blooms of white flowers with a combination of green leaves and with the whiff of apricots in the air was a sight to behold.

APRICOT also called “CHULLI” is an essential part of every ladhaki home. Laddakh is the largest producer of Apricots. Bought by the Chinese during the trade through the silk route this fruit is a must and is savored and offered at all times.

Fascinated with the blooms and  their beauty, smell  and the essential place it holds , sipping a hot Cup of ladakhi CHAI  I felt blessed that I can experience this place. It felt like HEAVEN though I was miles away I felt at HOME.

Tour of the heaven ….!!!!!!

The major attractions here are Monasteries, Gompas, Mountains, lakes the winding Roads, clean air and peaceful environment. As sightseeing continues the apricot blooms along with barley and maize fields with calmly flowing rivers the  Indus and  Zanskar gushing rapidly with soothing sound and providing fertility to the soil follow us throughout. The river bearing the mirror image of the clear skies and the towering mountains, I couldn’t stop clicking a panoramic image.

Known as the Land of GOMPAS the very famous being Dhankar, Hemis, Shey Thiksay. The many monasteries we visit each one is highly meditative with its age-old architectural style & colors. Each one is lit by Yak butter Lamps some burning throughout the year. Monks clad in brown-red robes spend years at the monasteries studying.

As we visit the War memorial, Magnetic Hill & the Patthar Sahib Gurudwara with our HUMSAFAR,   stenzing in the local dialect unravels stories about the chaddar trek, khardungla pass that we look forward to visiting.

Days spent in sightseeing, evenings in LEH were spent in strolling the alleys and roadside shops. The handwoven yak wool winter accessories, the uncut stone jewelry very famous for its Tibetan look, and dried walnuts, apricots, berries & apples empty our wallet.

LIFE LESSONS

Life in the valley is hard, temperatures going as low as minus 35 degrees. The summer months are chilled  but pleasant. People are hardworking & tourism has recently taken over.

Like the apricot, Life has different stages & each needs to be lived in the mom, the blooming, the ripening & drying. People go about their day to day work they have adapted so very well to the terrain & its lifestyle. With Red freckled cheeks and a broad smile on the face sustainability of human beings takes center stage.

To experience & understand we need to come out of the comfort zone and tread the path untaken. As my perspective towards life has changed I am sure it will change yours too and that too for the better. LOVE LIFE LIVE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!