Once again I am at a loss of words to describe this past week. How can I possibly describe dinner at SECMOL, my science class, washing my hair or helping cook breakfast in one blog post when each moment could probably write a paper by itself?

One of my favorite times of the day is right after dinner when announcements and speeches (all in Ladakhi) have commenced. Sometimes the small school shop opens up and I will splurge on a little chocolate for a few cents, its plastic texture making me long for an American dessert. But what I love most is living completely in the moment with the SECMOLpas and just goofing off. D.K. Chosegyen, a boy I don’t know and several VISpas always end up fighting and teasing each other. D.K. and I get into “nunba” or “crazy” fights where we try to call each other the most crazy in our respective languages. It tends to involve a lot of hat stealing, scarf strangling and wrestling on the rugs. I never expected that I would loose myself so completely in a moment – be so focused on just the moment. I expected to question myself, make friends and grow as a person but I never thought I would come half way around the world to be so…childish.

On Thursday we spent the morning summiting our first “Himalayan Peak,” SECMOL mountain. Compared to its surrounding siblings it is a rolling hill, a baby at an estimated 13,000 feet (estimation made by Tashi). Running down the stairs still leaves me out of breath, my body still struggling with the altitude adjustment, so climbing, sometimes crawling upwards, felt insane. But when I reached the top everything is worth it. The 360 views were “nunba” and I could see Kardongla pass, the world’s highest motor able pass, and ____, the snow leopard capital of the world. Prayer flags rippled at the top, mirroring my own excitement. These mountains have been here for an approximate fifty million years (thanks Holly & Environmental Science) and have seen the change. They lie witness to the change of earth, society and life and I am somehow lucky enough to be standing in their presence.

“Home” feels like a million miles away, a distant dream and it sort of scares me and it sort of makes me happy. I am totally okay with having “home” be a dream…. Because what is “home?” Attachment is mentioned so warily in Buddhism (thanks Nate & Ladakh Then and Now) but I still wonder if I am lesser of a person for not having that deep connection to a place, person or idea. I have been asked several times by Ladakhis “What is your religion?” and I feel so estranged when I have no choice to respond, “I don’t know yet.” I have no desire to find some great belief or religion to follow but that scares me at times too. I am glad that I am dependent on myself but am I missing some great part of life? Because, for the most part, I love my life.

Love from Ladakh,

Taylor

I. LOVE. MY. LIFE.

I. LOVE. MY. LIFE.

I can’t believe I am so lucky to come on this trip and meet so many amazing people. SECMOL. Is. Amazing.

I am in complete awe of everything – the landscape, the people, the curriculum, and the monumental amount of energy that seems to surge around this campus. Have you ever said “Jullay?” I think it might be the happiest phrase on earth – what else can you practically sing as a hello, goodbye, thank you and just as a word?

I’m surprising myself in my quest to learn Ladakhi. Taking the time to learn the language is providing me with the satisfaction that I am one less foreigner ignoring the culture. Maybe it is an impractical language to learn since there may be no application back home but I can see it breaking a bridge. Every question I ask, every word I say wrong teaches me, not about the culture, but about the person teaching the language to me.

SECMOL is so forward thinking in many aspects that it is hard to remember reality. During English Conversation tonight (2/13) the topic was education systems. We break into small groups of two or three SECMOLpas to one VISpa and work to learn about each culture and language. Although I knew that beatings occur in schools around the world something changes when you are face to face to students your own age who have previously been in schools where hitting is the norm. SECMOL is a model for its methods of learning, emphasizing traditional culture and education.

Students must take 11^th grade tests – similar to our SATS or ACTS – but its totally different. Becky and I had a very long conversation about the topic because it is so incredibly different. Although the big people at the top who make these 11^th grade tests apparently try to choose questions that will measure the knowledge and understanding of subjects the system is SO corrupt. The “big people” use questions directly from the text book – trying to ensure that topics are covered in school. Teachers teach just to the test – WAY worse then in America. They don’t even teach the subject or even read the book. Instead students must write and rewrite and rewrite the questions and just the answer that will be on the test. Essentially, they go into the test knowing just to recognize the question and the answer – they do not understand the material at all. Becky said that their math portion is similar to ours because you must show work. However, instead of teaching the materiel the teachers find the questions and have the students memorize the steps in between. And guess what? Many students are failing the tests!

SECMOL works to teach the material and create an understanding of the material. Many past SECMOLpas have become teachers and the hope is that they will begin to teach the material and ensure an understanding of the material. When I first started talking to the SECMOLpas I was so confused since a few mentioned that they don’t want to take the tests, they don’t want to go to “school,” they don’t want a higher education. But I am beginning to realize that they really just want to learn. Like learn and really know the material – why else would they be here? I have been amazed at meeting students who have this drive to fulfill this clear passion for learning when so many odds are against them. It’s inspiring.

Currently I am listening to Glee’s “Time of My Life” given to me by my bestie Rae and I feel like I am living the song. So far all of my expectations have been exceeded – I am already dreading the day I leave yet longing to see my family and friends – if only I could have the “best of both words.”

Im in Delhi!

Didn't think I would have time to post again so soon but...here I am!

Still working on the best things to say in my short time with the internet. I've been reunited with my big suitcase (its sort of like Christmas!) after living out of a backpack for the past two weeks as we've traveled around! Now I have the laptop so I can type stuff up and upload photos before I have access to internet which will help a ton!

Mostly this is just a selection of very few of the tons of photos I have taken so far!

Love from Delhi!

Heyyy!

Thanks so much to my dad for posting that to the blog! Im sorry it was soooo poorly written but it is so hard to put all my thoughts into an email when I feel like i have a million and one things to tell! I have sooo many pictures too. Heres a short attempt at explaining today:

We went on a 15 km hike in the foothills today! Boy am I going to be sore! It was sooo incredibly pretty (its so hard to find new words to describe my trip - i feel so limited!). We took a break at one point to visit a school. Many of the children walk 2+ hours to reach it and walk in flip flops. I cannot even imagine...I was struggling while fully outfitted. Its hard to understand life when I am walking for pleasure but they are walking for a better future...
We taught them "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" and then theyj taught us a song - I dont think any of really learned it! But it was really fun!

Later in the hike we ran into an older woman who (I swear) had the best smile lines I have ever seen. She just wanted to shake our hands and give kisses. She LOVED having her pictures taken and even through all her obvious hardships she wanted us to go to her house for tea. Unfortunately we had to keep hiking but I will always remember her face.


Once we reached the little town (about 5/6 hours later) we had lunch and met the sweetest puppy. There are so many amazing things that I love about India yet so many sad, frustrating parts exist. So many beggars, homeless puppies, roaming cows but yet this place is somehow magical! So many contradictions and yet such freedom...

I still have a million more things to say - I don't know how to catch everyone up but I promise to soon! We are leaving to Delhi tomorrow before we fly to Ladahk!!! Yayy! We are all a little nervous about altitude sickness because SECMOL/Leh is about 11,000 feet!

Much Love from India!
Taylor

Update from India

We have done so much that I don’t even know how to put it into words! I have tried to keep a list of activities on my iTouch so I can remember it all and I have been really good about journaling (is that a word?).

Our first night we drove in Delhi, which was one of the most exciting things I've ever done! You have to trust the driver because the roads here are crazy. There are no rules except to get to where you are going. If you lay on the horn you let people you know that you are passing. Despite all the craziness no one gets into accidents! It is sosososo different then driving in the U.S. but its very cool!

After a few hours of sleep in Delhi (we arrived at like 2 am and had to catch a train at 5 am) we had to repack to fit enough stuff for a week and a half in our backpacks! Eeeekkk! I left almost everything at the hotel, which is locked and safe.

That morning we arrived in Haridwar, which is one of the seven holiest places in India because of its location on the Ganges. It was our first taste of India (literally), which had really good food! We also got bombarded with tourists taking photos of us too! We then continued traveling to Rishikish. It is also located on the Ganges. That night we went to a ceremony on the river, which was really cool. We had to cross the river on this really high, kind of scary bridge. I'm really learning that I have to trust that if it works for other people it will also work for me!
The next morning we left and drove up the river to a camp. It was our first experience with high cliffs and the roads. Once again I had to trust the driver and the road - and guess what?! I was fine :) haha

The camp on the river was STUNNING! That night we crossed another bridge to hike to the villages on the other side. It was so cool to see. More on that later (I only have a little more time and sooooo much to say! Gahh). We rafted the next morning, which was super fun! We also got to "fall" in and swim in the Holy Ganges, which is considered really lucky. I did jump off the raft but not for long because the river was pretty gross and nasty. I don’t even want to think about what was in there! Gross!

We are now at the monastery for a few more days. It is so incredibly beautiful here. We have official classes. For English, which is first in the morning, we meet on the library roof and read a book out loud. It’s so cool. We stop occasionally to watch the green parrots that fly around us or just to look at the pretty views or to hear the monks chanting. Our second class is Buddhism, which is taught by the wisest monk. Everyone is in a trance as we hold onto his every word. The entire religion is so interesting and is more of a way of life then anything else....

I reallllllllllllllllly need to go now but I promise to write again sooon! I have sooo much to say and so little time. I can’t wait to have the lapotop so i can type what I need to say before i get to the cafe.