Author: sabbatical2017blog

  Before I arrive in Ladakh, I am apprehensive. For an ole’ fogey like me, I can not ignore the altitude of 11,000 feet. Don, a friend in Atlanta, even emailed me the Mayo Clinics treatment for high altitude sickness. I plan on slowing down and acclimatize myself to the high altitude for the first … Continue reading 87. A Tree Planting, a Conversation, and an Employee

Over thirty years ago, I rode a Honda motorcycle. While I had no cross-country adventures, I frequently made roundtrips of 200 mile. Since I didn’t have much money, I found the bike cheap and fun, especially in the autumns and springs. Slightly behind or contemporaneous with James Dean, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper, I probably … Continue reading 86. Motorcycles, Scooters, and Tibetan Buddhists

When I travel, I remember two things. Since I travel alone, I remember to initiate conversations. If I don’t attempt conversations, then traveling solo would be very lonely. Since I love taking photos and often get mesmerized by what I see, I must remember to ask myself: “What don’t I see?”  With these two reminders, … Continue reading 85. Where Are the Hindus in Leh?

Family histories are complicated as evidenced by my family history and Mary, my wife's, family history. Regarding my family history, Chuck and Donna, my brother and sister-in-law, and Charles, Susan, and Melinda, my cousins, helped me recall parts of our family history. On my father’s “Lindquist” side, my Swedish great- grandfather came to this country … Continue reading 84. Tibetan Buddhists in Diaspora

  Even though I only have access to the surface features of Ladakh life, I find it fascinating. Here are some of the faces, posters, and signs that I see while walking the streets of Leh and visiting sites in Ladakh. I’ll begin with the kids. While this may not be the best photo of … Continue reading 83. Faces, Posters, and Signs of Leh and Ladakh

Nobody today is a William Moorcroft. After establishing a “hospital for horses” in London, the first veterinary college, and acquiring four patents for making horseshoes, Moorcroft became a veterinary surgeon of the British East Indian Company. In India, Moorcroft traveled to Tibet and then, with George Tredback, traveled and lived in Ladakh for two years … Continue reading 82. What if William Moorcroft Returned Today? Ladakh’s Landscape: Physical, Cultural, and Religious

  I pay my 500 rupees at the kiosk for permission to continue. As I continue down the side street from the north, I suddenly see Boudhanath Stupa. The experience is like walking amongst downtown Atlanta’s skyscrapers, turning a corner and suddenly seeing Mercedes Benz Stadium. Or, like walking in downtown London, turning the corner, … Continue reading 80. Rosary Beads and Prayer Wheels

While meandering along side streets between Kathmandu’s Thamel and Durbar Square, I came across some street art. Underneath many of the paintings was X College in conjunction with Kathmandu’s Heritage Walk. Rather than the work of a solitary artist such as a Banksy, this work appears to have been planned to celebrate Kathmandu. The subject … Continue reading 79. Street Art, Notices, and Signs

I carry a camera over my shoulder. I look to the right to see if there is a photo op; I look to the left to see if anything catches my eye. I don’t want to miss anything. I’m obviously a traveler, worse yet, a tourist. Thus, I’m a target for touts, for individuals who … Continue reading 78. “Do You Like My Flute?”