In the Middle of the Main Market, Leh, india

My husband had to buy something from the local market called Moti Market. I was too tried. I just sat on the steps opposite this monastery with other Tibetan people. This was quite close to the main market in Leh. I was reading a book sitting outside in the wide courtyard and inside a prayer meeting was going on. The place was vibrating with chants. There were quite a few people sitting outside like me. I felt peaceful, something I can rarely claim to be!

I must have still not recovered well from the stomach trouble that I developed on the trek, otherwise I rarely opt to sit down. I have always been a big fan of walking, to me a trip is not complete till I have walked around to my heart’s content.

I so wanted to click pictures of people sitting outside but I was too timid. I particularly remember an old lady with character etched in every line of her face, but I let it go. A food mess was set up and they were cooking something delicious inside. Soon, that something was being served. I was asked if I would like to have some of the liquid. I said yes and started drinking the white looking stuff and it was like nothing I ever tasted before. Soon, a young girl asked if I would care for a refill? I agreed and she started chatting with me. She was a Tibetan and has studied Library Science at Pune. She would like to work in a school at Leh after her studies. I asked her what the drink was and she told me it was Tibetan tea, made of butter and special tea leaves. Enjoyable, is what I have to say.

PS. The image is from my trip to Ladakh in 2016.