Dear Friends,

I would like to thank my girlfriend Kathy for all her work in designing and doing all of those magical things that need to be done to get this newsletter on the web.  I would also like to thanks all those friends that have crossed my path and helped and inspired me to write about my travels.

            Kathy and I in the park in Montreal       Jesse Cook lights up the main stage at the Jazz Festival

 Jose Carrillo's travel newsletter
              Introduction
              Delhi
             Leh/Ladakh
             Kashmir

After being in Montreal Quebec for the past three months with Kathy, I am off to India for six months. 

But first, just few words about Montreal, it’s a city for lovers and festivals.  This beautiful French island with its charming neighborhoods, corner stores and markets, called “depanneurs” and romantic cafes, is truly a treat for anyone.  If you have the opportunity to come to Montreal for the summer, even if you have to quit your job, it’s worth it--you can always make ends meet later!

I arrived in Delhi on the 25th of September and so far, I spent one week in Delhi, three weeks in Ladakh and four weeks in Kashmir.  But even on a vacation, there needs to be time to do nothing.  So as I write this newsletter, I am sitting on the deck of my cozy house boat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, kicking back and enjoying life on the lake.  I have found this great freedom to do whatever or nothing, so forget any itineraries; I just wake up and go wherever the universe guides me.  

Delhi is a huge city and yes, it is a bit crazy, but there are so many things to do.  There are many beautiful places to visit, great shopping and so many good restaurants.  Or just sit in one of the hundreds of cafes in the upscale district of Connaught Place and have a delicious Italian Lavazza cappuccino.

Ladakh and Kashmir are in northern India in the Himalaya Mountains and are very different.  Ladakh’s huge mountain peaks are barren and the only green areas are in the valleys where the water flows.  While Kashmir’s huge mountains have forest and green pastures forests.  There are also many green valleys and the terrain reminds me of the Swiss Alps.

The Himalayan Mountains of Kashmir, a bit like the Swiss Alps

A few things come to mind when I think about these two regions.  First, Ladakh and Kashmir are not really India.  Well, they are both on the map of India.  And secondly, the Indian army is heavily armed and everywhere in these regions.  But the Kashmiris hate this occupying army; the Ladakhis don’t seem to mind them, they just want to practice their Buddhist way of life and go about their faming.

     Leh, the capital of Ladakh, 20,000 people                  Buddhist woman with her prayer wheel in Lamayuru                    

While a large part of Kashmir and some parts of Ladakh are occupied territories and there are tensions between India and her neighbors, Pakistan and China, my stay here has been safe, fabulous, and the people--some of the greatest people I have ever met in the world.

When I think of Ladakh, I think about the Buddhist monasteries called “Gompas”, many clinging to the cliffs high up in the Himalayas.  It is extraordinary to see the devotion of these people in following the teachings of the Buddha, and their way of life.  There is something magical about living high up in these remote barren lands with such extreme and harsh environmental conditions.  Yet, one never forgets the smiles of the Ladakhis, especially, when they say “Julay”.  This greeting means, “Hello, How are you, Thank you and Good Bye”, all in one word.  A few of us have modified this greeting by putting our hands together and throwing kisses as we say “Julay”.

 
Some of the many monasteries that cling on to the Himalayan Mountain peaks

   
                  Crossing the Khardung  La pass, highest motorable road in the world,                         A monk going out into the community to                      
        5,655 meters (18,380 feet)                                                               perform  “puja” (prayer)

When I think about Kashmir, Dal Lake comes to mind, this is the jewel of Kashmir.  Not only is this lake the center point of the city of Srinagar but so many people make their living from the lake; you could say, it truly nourishes the people of Srinagar. Although there has been great turmoil and many deaths, especially in past twenty years, the Kashmiris have such great smiles and such a good outlook on life.They are a kind and generous people and have welcomed me into their homes and their hearts-- there is a bit of Kashmiri inside of me.

  
                                                  The serenity of nature on Dal Lake                                Young girls going to market in their “Shikara” (boat)

 
A man selling wood around the lake                                                                    SomeShikaras on Dal Lake

  
Sunset on Dal Lake; the Shikaras taking tourists for a Maharaja Ride

 

                A man attending prayer at Shahi Hamdan Mosque         A Kashmiri on the street who just wanted to talk to me

I do seem to be getting more adventurous day by day, or maybe just crazier. I am thinking about getting a motorcycle and driving around India . The problem is I don’t know how to drive one and I don’t even have a driver’s license. But it’s India and these are minor details, I’m sure I can take driving lessons from an Indian guy and I’ll fit right in. The most important thing seems to have a loud horn on the bike and good brakes, because traffic goes in every direction possible, and I mean every direction! I also heard Miramar (Burma) is GREAT!  The U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with them but what the heck; the flight from Calcutta is only $60 bucks.

Much Love and Julay Kisses,

Jose

Next: Travel stories and pictures