expect the unexpected...

The place I am staying at is so wonderful...last night before I went to bed they brought me a hot water bottle that actually stayed warm until this morning. I was able to schedule when they deliver my hot water for "bath time" in the morning as well as my breakfast! So at 8am this morning my bucket of hot water was delivered. I have never experienced this type of bathing so it was a little trial and error...haha! After the 'bath' I dried my hair by the propane heater in my room...it took a good 45 minutes. But I knew that I would be out in the cold again and worth it.

At 9am they brought me breakfast...haha! the first time I have had breakfast in bed:) It was awesome. I looked out the window and it was snowing...at first thought I was a little nervous that I would not be warm enough...but then I remembered that it is actually warmer with the snow.

I had to meet my new friend at his hotel which was a good 15 minute walk from mine. We got so lost last night as it was totally dark and no street lights, but I was able to find my way this morning. It seems that he is the only person in his hotel and I in mine...very few visitors up here at this time of year! A local contact of his picked us up and headed out of the city to two very special monasteries. There was literally no one else at the monasteries this time, so we had a special opportunity to meet the monks and enjoy a cup of butter tea with them in the kitchen of the monastery...how cool is that. But I would have to say butter tea is not that cool...for my taste buds. It literally tastes like you are drinking melted butter...but it is good for you in the tough winter conditions, keeps your skin moist?

After the last monastery visit we went to the locals family house for tea, biscuits, cake and then a rice lunch. Wow...it was unbelievable! The lunch was rice and dried apricots...yummy! We visited with the family for over an hour and then returned to town.

I have decided to stay on in Leh to experience the start of their New Year celebration. Apparently on December 16th they have the lighting of candles all over town up the mountain and everywhere, I think it is going to be an experience of a life time. We are also able to hang out with some locals that will guide us through the evenings events.

Tomorrow I have the great pleasure in joining my friend on a trip out to the artificial glaciers of Ladakh. The non-government organization - Leh Nutrition Project - is part of this project. They were one of the original NGO's on my hit list, so this is exciting that I have the ability to talk with them tomorrow.

Until the next time

Smiles and Hugs

Heather