Keep on Trekking the Markha Valley and the Village Hankar

In Sumda Choon, we made the decision to extend our trek.  My trekking partener realized we were close enough to Chilling (the start of Markha Valley) and if we so desired we could change our route to be in Hankar in two days. And this we did.  You see, Nerissa had been in Hankar earlier in the year and volunteered at the school there.  She wanted to see the kids, I love kids, so here we go: changing plans, making friends with electricians, hiking big passes and crossing big rivers.

 We made an easy hike out of Choon and once we reached the road, we, with a bit of finagling at the hands of a difficult taxi man, caught a ride to Chilling. From there, got a coke, as it was freaking hot out there,  walked the five km high above the Zanskar River to the river trolley and because the bridge was out, you heard right,  we walked to the river trolley.  I did not capture in picture form this trolley because, holy smokes, this thing was a rickety 3 ft x 3 feet wooden cart hung on a cable and dangerous looking and 15m high off the mighty Zanskar and so rad.  Anyway, the few parties that were here at the river crossing made it all across with each others help and we trekked on to see things like these horns, painted and placed by local oracles on valley stupas.

After a couple hard and long days we reached Hankar, the village I would be end up staying in for five days.  It is beautiful.  The mountains tower, the big animals are ever present, the sky so bright, as are the stars, and the green fields seem to sparkle.   I actually stayed up another little valley in a village called Doltoklin with Thundop and Punsok.  These two showed me the way of village life in remote Himalaya valley.  Here is the path to their house, and a donkey.

Hankar is home to a fabulously broken down fort.  It has been crumbling for 200 years or so now, but I climbed high up there anyway one day and made a peace sign on top, for all the sky to see but few people would.  A very magical and interesting energy up there, quiet, spectacular and quite spectacular.

 Though I ventured to the medicinal spring and to the fort and around the river and village homes, the Hankar school was where I stayed for a few hours everyday.  Some of the kids are pictured here.  We sang songs and worked on our motor skills with yoga and talked opposites and took walks pointing things out in English.  A total blast.  Kids are kids in any language, even if you don't understand each other, the Hokey Pokie still works!

I had a great experience. This is Singe and Angmo B in front left to right and Palden in the back.

They look cute, and they are but they are rotten!