The Beauty of the Earth- June 22, 2010

In the past few days the sun has begun to shine more fiercely and fittingly so since the spring equinox is coming up. Normally in the past month or so there have been extreme changes in weather every day- I have had to pack along fleeces and wind breakers- weather predictions don't exist and a day could start out hot and turn stormy and windy in the afternoon and then hot again an hour later. A cloud can cover the sun and I feel a need to put a wool hat and sweater on, when the cloud passes it is hot again and off comes the hat. Ladakhis can wear the same thing all day comfortably- or seemingly so- long sleeves and long dresses with pants underneath is typical. Head scarves for women many times covering the face to protect from the elements, dust, sun and cold.
The pictures included here are of places I stayed over the month of May. The one with the bridge is where we stayed the longest and we are hoping to have the farm participants stay there as well. We are busy showing films at the Women's Alliance and leading discussions on how globalization has effected Ladakh and other places in the world. Many tourists come and see the films- many stay around and discuss for a long time-- and now the tourist season is finally picking up so we are much busier now. Also planning for the workshops for the participants in the first few days of July.
But Julia, another volunteer and myself took the past two days to bike to some monasteries and stayed overnight at a nunnery. The scenery was breathtaking, the old paintings in the monasteries powerfully alive and biking felt so great after 7 weeks of no biking..

More soon!