Visiting Leh-Ladakh

We have been here 3 days, and have seen 6 Buddhist monestaries (gompas). That's enough for me. The ride was wonderful.  Lots of road work going on, plus lots of Indian army activity. They are always worried about somebody, Pakistan on the north and west side, and China on this northeast side. We had a long drive up some mighty large mountains. There's lots of road work going on, as well as lots of Indian army activity. The road is 2 lane, paved, for a few miles out of town, then it turns into one paved lane, with generous shoulders for passing. It feels so desolate, but pretty soon, here comes a small village with grass, pretty trees, and square houses with bales of feed on the roofs for their animals. I saw a real yak in somebody's yard. That was a thrill. On the way to the Likir monestary, we picked up this Austrian woman on the road. She got off the bus at the main road, about 4 kilometres back, and didn't realize it was so far. Anyway, we went through the monestary together, and she told me lots of things about the meaning of the paintings, prayer wheels, prayer flags, and other Buddhist symbolism. We left her at that monestary, went on our way to another, and on the way home, we saw her again on the road, and picked her up. No way would you catch me on a road in the rugged, ragged mountains, bumming a ride. She is a freelance journalist, fiction writer, and keeps up with the human rights situation in this part of the world.She looked to be in her 40's, an Austrian Olive Oil, but without Popeye. I did enjoy talking with her. We also saw 2 women on bicycles, climbing up the mountains with 2 packs on the front wheel, 2 packs on the back wheel, and 2 packs on the handlebars. They looked English, and in their 60's. Now, I was impressed. These mountains must attract nutcases. They carry their tent, clothes, food, everything they need. They were pedaling so fast in such a low gear, that I think it would have been easier to just walk and push the bike, but then, what do I know? I'm not on one. I'm not very adventurous with food. We found a Chinese restaurant that is really good, so we have eaten there for 3 nights in a row. Breakfast here at the Yak-Tail Hotel's restaurant is very tasty as well. We also discovered the Pumpernickel, great for breakfast. The women here wear an interesting outfit. It's a fitted long sleeve black coat-dress with a gathered skirt, and a scarf belt above the gather, with pants underneath. They wear a Tibetan hat, tall with flaps turned up. The weather is not bad yet. They don't get a lot of snow, but it gets really cold. I don't want to be here for that.The season is over! It's very quiet here now. All the shops are closing up, and returning to Srinagar. Most of them will go to Goa for the winter season. This is one busy place in June, July, and August, but now, the thrill is gone. It's starting to get colder, and pretty soon, there will be no tourism. We'll take the long 12 hour Jeep ride across the mountains to Srinagar, which is only 6,000 feet, significantly lower than the 12,500 feet here. This is a perfect time to be here, as there are very few tourists, and the weather is still good for trekking.(been there, done that)