This trip is what changed my outlook towards life. It was my sister's idea to travel as voluntary teachers in Ladakh. We had the opportunity to visit a number of different schools and regions where we worked with children, conversed with monks and also painted a few walls. Because I am a children's book illustrator with numerous books published - The Avalokitesvara Trust invited both of us to work there. My sister works in the field of education and ecology at grass root level, so we decided to turn this into a longer voluntary trip which would really allow us to understand the region, its people and their day-to-day struggles. There is something about the atmosphere and locals that makes you connect to them at once. There pervades a type of slowness in their day to day life, which disperses a feeling of calm and peace. The locals radiate happy vibes and their constant dealings with the forces of nature, both beautiful and brutal has resulted in them in being united and trusting of each other. We saw some breath taking views, snow covered mountains, calm and clear lakes. This journey was about giving and consequently about getting some of the best things that life could bring my way.
