Hike to Praken Gompa

Sabrina, Rick, Bikas and Tanas and I hiked up, up and up to the monastery nestled in a cliff where the 100 rupee lama lives. For 100 rupees, he will bless you, give a necklace made of thread and offer tea. Each of us knelt and received the necklace as he mumbled and touched our head with a soft eraser-like cushion. He blessed us for the hike over Thorung Pass. The lama is 96 years old and claims he is the oldest person in the Manang area. He was seated with legs covered by a maroon sleeping bag. Under his maroon monk's robe, he was wearing a red down vest. His elaborately stitched silk cap with fur lining was frayed and dirty, but he was dignified in his tatters. His face was leathery with a white wispy chin beard and droopy, kind eyes. The tiny room was covered in old, smoke covered thankas. On one wall stood a chipped orange cabinet with pictures of the Dalai Lama and small passport size photos of folks he may have blessed. A clock in the shape of Australia sat squarely in the middle of the shelf. We are not sure how many visitors he gets each day, but his Tibetan trader genes encouraged him to try to sell Rick a 500rupee necklace.

Hauling hay for the animals

The lama of Manang

Rick is blessed and receives his necklace.

Each day is a reminder of what a hard life these people have. I followed a man walking through the narrow stone street of Manang carrying bundles of hay on his back. Three women were bent and scratching the rocky soil with wooden hoes.