Massage in Manali

Namaste, everyone!

I'm sitting at an internet cafe in Manali, trying to catch my breath... there is so much to say, so much to explain about these past three weeks... and yet, I sincerely doubt that any words can do my experience justice. How can anything I write explain the trill of climbing over an 18,000 foot pass, or the tranquility of having tea with Buddhist monks during their morning prayers? I will write about it all, of course, but please forgive me if I cannot find the language to explain how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to not just travel in Zanskar, but to feel the people and the region from the inside...

I did, of course, also take hundreds of photographs, and i'll be posting some of those in the next few weeks as well, but again, there's no doubt in my mind that my little 35mm lens won't be able to convey the majesty of the Himalayas and the beauty of the people who live there.

In any case, let me just briefly begin by saying that every medical student should go on a medical trek with HHE... the organization, from start to finish, was incredible; the food was amazing (how do they bake pizza - yes, pizza! - on a 16,000 foot peak?!); the medical experience, extraordinary; and, of course, the scenery was enough to make your eyes water in wonder... I have never been to such a majestic place in my life... I can only hope to go back, again and again, in service of the people and my unending awe that such beauty still exists in the world.

Over the next few days, i'll post individual entries about the medicine, the people, and the trek itself, along with my reflections... I apologize for the delay in writing, but I've spent the entire day running errands, buying amazing Tibetan jewellery, and... going for an afternoon at a spa! That's right... a spa, including a facial and eyebrow threading... all in a little town nestled in the Himalayas! Who says I can't be girly once in a while? Besides, my poor blistered feet were begging for a little relief... :).

I have all of you in my thoughts, all the time... I miss everyone and will post again soon...