Let me introduce my friends from Ladakh and Himachal who I have worked with for the last few years. All of them belong to their native land and they are proud of their culture and roots. I have had fun working with them; they are among the best of my friends today. They share a very informal relationship with all my clients, always working hard to make their trip out of the ordinary.
Stansing Choldan (Pema): A runaway monk: once upon a time he was a student of Buddhism, living his young days in the monastery. He ran away to explore the colours of free world and has spent endless amount of time traveling around the country. At the moment he works as a tour guide for Japanese and European groups visiting India. During the season in Ladakh:
he helps getoff ur ass’ with logistics and most often travels with our group.
Punchok: A shy and unassuming character has an interesting past: he has worked as a porter for the Indian army during the battles in Siachen, portaged on Chaddar walks in winters and wasted a lot of his life booming in Goa looking for that one smiling firangi face to take him home with her. Punchok helps with our logistics in Leh and spends most of his time with us when we are there.
Tashi: Drives us around Ladakh in his silver Scorpio. A master degree holder in Forensic science and Criminology, he is a true Ladakhi host to travel around with. Short, shy, he can be quite a character when he is drunk.
Murub: Here is an eccentric character with 18 years of experience driving the Ladakh ranges. Every other Ladakhi passing-by vehicle will greet him: we believe he will be the next political leader of Ladakh. He substitutes as our man-Friday when not driving. Murub owns and drives his Scorpio for us.
Bhagat Singh: Plans and executes getoff ur ass’ trips in Manali. He has 15 years experience in para-gliding and was 2002 para-gliding national champion organised by Himachal Tourism. Bhagat helps with our transport, para-gliding trips and shares his intimate local knowledge to make our trip ‘out of the ordinary.
