Exotism 2.0

Exotism 2.0

Momentary displacement : I wake up with a corner of the bhikkubag grating in to my face. Three narrow shafts of light . A black helmet floating under under white globes suspended from the roof. Right, that´s it , I´m back in the prison again.


Three hours later a mindgrating peppy wake up call erupts from a bed across the room. Bald guy in opposite bunk erupts in to a frantic Homer Simpson pantomine , flapping blankets, elusive cell phone and all ... and lands in perfect lotus position and holds it for twenty minutes. Books. Covers. Etc.

Later I sift through sound clips from Ladakh , sitting in one of the walled in pie formed walk yards that now is part of the youth hostel cafe.There is surreal shift between two different perspectives in the reshaped environment of the prison : prison culture puns ("captivating accomodation" "cellphones ") , and Beagle Boys outfits sold to the visitors , mixed with a museum of social history. This is also the end point of Swedens history of capital punishment in 1910. I guess that´s also exotic in a way. Interestingly enough it meant Sweden in actual practice preceded Tibet, but not in law : the death penalty was not banned in the Swedish constitution until 1921 , whereas the second major decision of the 13th Dalai Lama was the abolishment of the death penalty in 1913, and later a clause against cruel and unjust punishments. *


I´ve had a few of these alienated moments lately , seeing my life as it would be presented in a guide book . I guess one of the starting points was when I saw a recent edition of Lonely Planet Scandinavia , with a cover shot of the Northern Lights over the mountain hut in Låktatjåkkå : home ground turned in to post cards.

Came out of work Sunday , walked by Gammlia museum grounds , went to buy fresh bread : white cotton dresses swooshing over the wooden floor boards , naked feet with nail polish , the unleavened breads dancing in and out of the stone oven , paralell conversations over cellphones and IRL : picking up kids , teenager boys first girlfriend.... I guess this is our competing shot with the Non-German Bakeries.

Down the Kunzum La

.. in nice company.

Dais

The view from behind Dalai Lama´s throne at the new Sakya monastery in Kaza.

Waiting for Kundun

Waiting for Dalai Lama to arrive for the teachings at the new Sera monastery in Kaza , July 10th.

always ask..

Beginnings are worst times. Which of the eleven trails , all heading in about the right direction, is the right one ? Or just run it staright from the map ..
Asking gives me everything I need to know from an old lady plus an offer of second breakfast.

Going up I have moments of doubts : why leave the green valley for another rock strewn pass. Lokking down at my feet i just see rubble. Lifting my head I se the shocking transformations from greay to purple to pink. Big rhubarby leaves hanging from sheer sides , with growths I suddenly realize are to become the white , round leaves that comes out so beautiful onthe Himachali hats. The smell of not quite mint , not quite juniper I associate with Spiti. Big bees with jet black wings, thumb thick bodies and narrow bands of yellow.

Around 3900, after it has started to get really steep , I gett buffed by high winds which I take as a good sign : surely the pas must be really near. It comes out as not 3950 as on my map , but 3986 according to the GPS. At the time it felt important.



Nice lhatse with prayer flags ... that looks off in some way. Coming closer I see flags with triangular form, no images and names .. european names. After a short moment of disbelief the knife comes out .





Later i bring it up in Rizong monastery and gets a friendly tap on the shoulder " Don't worry , this is not a problem. " This is of course right in the religious perspective : nothing becomes undone by covering the lhatse , but does remain a problem for the communities involved , both travellers and Ladakhis.