I’ve been asked to assist with the Omprakesh Foundation made up of three professors from Bowdoin College (Maine), Harvard, & the third I know not from where. They want me to work with them on selecting books and finding inexpensive delivery methods for books to go to various schools in Ladakh. I’m helping them now as much as I can because I am here in India and can somewhat gain access to information. I’m trying to get the Kashmir & Jammu curriculum guides that prescribe what is taught in grades 7, 8, 9, and 10. That way we know which type of books to purchase to support the curriculum. I’m also trying to understand the process for ordering books online from Delhi – I think I’ve almost got that down. All this stuff could be a full-time job but unfortunately there is no salary attached. I sure wish I worked for the University full-time as then I could apply for a Fullbright to work over here for an extended period of time. So many people want and need libraries. There is no longer a public library in Leh (the capital of Ladakh) – that says something. The monasteries all have libraries but mostly it’s religious texts, interpretations, and commentaries. All this being said I am working hard and missing out on seeing some of the sites here which acquaintances here have been going on. I am however, getting a good infusion of Ladaki culture, ways, and customs and a further understanding of their educational system.
You can really see the effects of global warming here which is too bad seeing as the peoples here did not contribute to it. They build their house with dung on the outside and then whitewashed. Usually there are no clouds or rain in Ladakh but the past three years have increasingly had rain which melts the dung, goes through the thatching etc. So as time goes on the traditional Ladakhi &Tibetan houses will have to change with the environment. Water is becoming more scarce due to less snow on the mountains. It’s a very interesting place to learn about how outside influences and changing natural phenomena affect a once self sustainable culture compatible with nature.
Outside my bathroom window is a pigeon who had been sitting on her egg since I moved into this room. The other morning she was sitting on her baby who was trying to get out from under her. It’s adorable – I had never seen a pigeon nest, egg and then baby. I sure hope she is able to keep it in the nest as it is a long way down. It’s going to be fun to watch the baby grow. Now after almost a week the mother pigeon leave the baby in the nest for short periods of time – it fluffs itself up when it’s alone and doesn’t move toward the edge of the nest – a well-behaved pigeon baby! Speaking of babies – all the free range donkey’s running around town have had their babies – they are more than cute. I also have a dog friend who I call Jewel who is adorable – think she is a mix of Tibetan Terrier and something a little larger. She loves to nozzle me and growls at all the young Isrealis wandering around.
Well everything seems to be in-process as I begin my last week at the 
been painting with the help of the eighth grade class and working with the carpenter to purchase wood and hardware for the furniture. I understand that some of the books I selected have finally been ordered so there is still a little hope that some will come in before my stay here ends.
