I have been on an incredible learning curve since my last post, all culminating at the weekend when I went on a Silent nature meditation retreat in the mountains. Awesome experience, I discovered a balance in my physical and psychological being that felt new to me. And my teacher, a westernised ledakhi, told me very firmly about some truths relating to my status as a volunteer and the very different culture here.
Many Ledakhis whom I meet tell me that the author of the book that i recommended last time is not respected by the native people. People see her as stranger who has come into Ledakh and romanticised the culture, and demonised the influence of development which has actually made life much easier for these people who live in such a harsh environment. It is a beautiful culture here I love Ledakh, but it is very different from the west. As someone who has spent all my life in the west, it is my default setting to see through my culturally conditioned eyes. That is not at all appropriate and I see that now. So although it is hard for me to understand some things it is absalutely necessary that I respect them.
This is a valuable realisation, especially if I want to continue to support this project with foreign professional support. It is very important that people who want to participate undergo cultural training.
So I will leave on sunday and my marvelous mum will join me in leh. I will take my mum to meet the kids at the hostel, she has always wanted me to have kids, and now I have 25, she'll be delighted!!
We will have a party on sunday, with some traveller friends who will bring along their musicalities, the kids love dancing, and I will bring a cake, so fun all round I am sure!
Then I leave, happy to have these children in my heart and happy to have had such an intimate introduction to this beautiful culture, which has taught me so much and happy to know that the children are loved and safe, and supported.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Traditions of frugality and cooperation in the heights of the Himalayas
I am 3400m above sea level and still my neck is craned to gaze and love the mountains towering above.... I found the journey here very tough, and my body took some time to adjust. This was quite a shock, being a young, fit and healthy woman I had not really expected to have trouble but the high altitude is very tough, and after 20 days I still find myself fighting for breath at times, the air is so thin!
So now I am volunteering with a hostel that enables children with disabilities, who are form rural areas in Ladakh to access education. I arrived and then went on holiday with the children, to beautiful Nubra Valley. I fell in love with them all, (in particular with their noses) 25 kids from 6- 17, various disabilities from physical to dyslexia.
The kids are not like kids in the UK, they are much less spoilt and self centred, they are bright and generous and loving.
But they have NOTHING.
Still they smile through.
Wow, again I am humbled.....
So I return to the hostel tomorrow, as do the kids after their summer holidays, and a friend I met on the road will also join me there which I am very happy about as it is much easier to keep the energy levels high if I have a comrade!!
I am reading 'Ancient Futures' by Helena Norberg-Hodge, this book is about the effect of globalisation on ancient cultures like the traditional society in Ladakh too quote a passage ' {R}eweaving the local, the small scale, the intimate, the natural, the human, show that, one way or another, nature willprevail, that it is this deeper heart-power, and not money, that truely makes the world go round. The question for all of us, as natural life support systems collapse all around us, before our very eyes, is a simple one: how soon will sufficient numbers of us learn to listen to our hearts?' (2000 Rider). I can reccommend this book to anyone interested in the affects of globalisation on traditional societies (infact everyone should read it).
So now I am volunteering with a hostel that enables children with disabilities, who are form rural areas in Ladakh to access education. I arrived and then went on holiday with the children, to beautiful Nubra Valley. I fell in love with them all, (in particular with their noses) 25 kids from 6- 17, various disabilities from physical to dyslexia.
The kids are not like kids in the UK, they are much less spoilt and self centred, they are bright and generous and loving.
But they have NOTHING.
Still they smile through.
Wow, again I am humbled.....
So I return to the hostel tomorrow, as do the kids after their summer holidays, and a friend I met on the road will also join me there which I am very happy about as it is much easier to keep the energy levels high if I have a comrade!!
I am reading 'Ancient Futures' by Helena Norberg-Hodge, this book is about the effect of globalisation on ancient cultures like the traditional society in Ladakh too quote a passage ' {R}eweaving the local, the small scale, the intimate, the natural, the human, show that, one way or another, nature willprevail, that it is this deeper heart-power, and not money, that truely makes the world go round. The question for all of us, as natural life support systems collapse all around us, before our very eyes, is a simple one: how soon will sufficient numbers of us learn to listen to our hearts?' (2000 Rider). I can reccommend this book to anyone interested in the affects of globalisation on traditional societies (infact everyone should read it).
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