News from 4200 meters
The A2Z Adventures trekking group finally arrived to Kargyak at 4200 meters, after four long days of trekking in the Himalayas, Zanskar, India.
All the group is in high spirits and enjoying the stamina provided by all the children of Kargyak Sun school.
The group also had the very special opportunity to pray with the Dalai Lama in Padum - this certainly helped to create an even more special atmosphere!
It was an unique chance not only to see the Dalai Lama so close to us but also to share the moment with villagers from the surrounding valleys, dressed in their most traditional clothes full of color and turquoise stones.
After this short one day stop in Padum it was time to start the walk towards Kargyak. The beauty of this year´s route was that it was followed by dozens (or even hundreds) of villagers that were returning home. This definitely made the walk easier and more enjoyable with several moments to remember the most unusual dialoges between the group and the locals: us unable to speak Ladakhi; them unable to speak English.
Now the group is getting ready to leave Kargyak heading to Shingo La and later Manali, leaving behind a great contribution to the school - new trees planted by Michel, a new logic challenge proposed by Giovanna (Soduko), a complete medical check-up by Antonio and Angela and new handkerchiefs by Maria so the children smiles are not disturbed by dirty noses!
The group also left behind the A2Z members Tiago and Patricia that will stay here until September helping out at the school.
During the stay in Kargyak the group also had dinner at Dorge’s house followed by a party with the amas (mothers) of Kargyak. A dinner made with vegetable momos (dumplins) and watered with Shang and Arak (the local barley drinks). A great party that involved traditional Ladakhi and (to the delight of locals) Portuguese music, but it was moderated enough to start the trek the other day…
