Arrival in Leh

There were many ideas on the table for the last week of March.  We had invitations to Tami Nadu in the south where we were considering visiting schools in Chennai and Auroville.   Connections were warm, but confirmations were posing a challenge. I also knew it was going to be hotter than hot.  An recent email from an organization in Nepal, prompted new curiosity, as the program coordination was requesting our presence in Kathmandu.  And with influence of friends and family on Facebook, I was weighing the possibility of heading north to Leh, in Ladakh. I had heard many great things about this high altitude desert, and so a decision was made, let’s go!   The weather looked to be warm enough during the days to make something happen.  I began investigating schools and NGO’s based there.  Many emails were sent and requests made from Delhi, to no avail.  And so Heather and I would head out for an 8 day adventure with no confirmations and simply attempt to manifest our way into a few schools.  I was prepared to work with 1,000 students during the 8 days we planned, and packed the necessary supplies and peace cards to do so. The flight in was spectacular.  Flying out of the low land smog surrounding Delhi, you fly across the foothills of the Himalaya before a sudden shift to towering peaks and snow-covered range encapsulates all sides.   The mountains and snow left me feeling a bit intimidated and thoughts of “where the hell are we going?” began to fill my mind.  For as far as the eye can see was white snow covered range…..there had to be a reason there was a plane full of people flying to Leh. An hour flight culminated at a clearing in the mountains and there we saw Leh; a dry and arid desert situated between the peaks of the Himalaya at 11,500ft.   My eyes widened and the excitement grew at the plane took a wide u-turn in that gap of the range and made its way onto the ground in Ladakh. Advice from multiple people indicated that a day of rest was required of travelers arriving at this high-altitude landscape.  We followed the advice.  Friday I awoke ready to roll.  My goal was to visit several schools and schedule the following week with workshops.   I did a small meditation prayer in the morning asking for grace and ease, permission and simplicity in manifesting what I was seeking. And so out we walked.  Having met a young girl and her mother on the plane, we headed towards Ladakh Public School.   The school was beautiful: a large open yard where groups of students were preparing a dance routine for an up-coming school-wide contest.   We were escorted to the principals office where we met the founder and director of the school.  Noney Wangchuk, a kind and gentle man, with a sweetness and softness of expression I have rarely seen.  He greeted us with warmth and receptivity.  Within about 5 minutes of explaining the project to him, grabbed the calendar and asked when we wanted to come.  We confirmed two workshops in about 10 minutes for the following Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  We would work with the 8,9, and 10 classes on Tuesday and the 5, 7, and 7^th Classes on Wednesday.  He walked us to the meditation hall and kindly inquired if the space was suitable and how we would like to have the 10-15 tables arranged.  Everything was happening so smoothly and we thanked him for his willingness to welcome us to his school and were on our way. After a brief stop back at the guest house, Heather decided to take rest as the altitude was catching up with her.  I was on a mission and had no capacity to stop.  I got some directions to the largest school in Leh, Lamdon Senior Secondary School.  Lamdon was situated much further up the road on the mountain side and the students had written LAMDON in large letters on the mountain side, large enough to see from miles away and easily seen from the sky.    I knew this was a big school and was curious to see what I could create there.   When I arrived the Principal was not in.  After a brief wait, he arrived and even though he was in a bit of a hurry, he took time to sit with me for five minutes and hear what I had to offer.  Again, I was greeted with receptivity and willingness to host us.  I feel so blessed by this capacity to quickly convey what I am up to and gain immediate approval from a school’s principal.   We confirmed two workshops for Thursday and off I went.   Ershay was apologetic for not offering me tea and taking more time, but that was fine, mission accomplished, and off I went, 2 for 2, with an approximate of 800 students and four workshops confirmed. Back down into town I stopped at two other schools where the principals were not in and I was asked to come back tomorrow and try again.  Feeling grand, like I had accomplished something significant, having only been in Leh 30 hrs, confirming two schools and four Peace Exchange workshops, I headed back to the Nobel Guest House where we were staying for some tea. Here is a link to photos from our Thursday workshop on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150176152388485.313958.641273484