"IT WAS A TRULY MAGICAL AND UNIQUE MOMENT." From the moment we stepped off the plane to the moment we got back on, I was amazed by the hospitality and kindness we received, the things we learned, and the friendships we made. I felt so humbled with the opportunity to go to Ladakh. As many of us would agree, one of the highlights of the trip was on the second day at the medical camp when we took the cars up to the pass connecting to Tibet. The view was completely breathtaking, with Tibet on one side and an endless mountainous landscape on the other. Another highlight was the trek. Everyday we saw different views, made stronger bonds and overcame mental challenges. At the beginning, someone asked if all of us were from Mulgrave, but by the end we all grew together as one big Ladakhi family with the sherpas. I will never forget the positivity, compassion and patience the
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sherpas have, and I hope to model that into my own life. I will forever be grateful to Mulgrave, Bill Kyte and his team for this once-in-a-lifetime, unique experience. I am beyond thrilled that I went and hope to return and volunteer for the Himalayan Health Project again. It is extremely hard to put the trip into words as it was so many things: eye-opening, moving, amazing, beautiful, unique, calming and the list goes on.
and said, "Julley" — a Ladakhi word meaning hello, goodbye, and thank you. One of the herders followed us back to the group and although there was a large language barrier, we were still able to have a conversation.
The biggest thing that I learned from the trip was the impact of global volunteerism. It was evident that the project was changing the lives of the locals in Sakti village. On our second day in the medical camp, we saw over 200 patients in the dental section, none of whom had come before.
We wanted to sing for her, I started with a song called Wangol, and others joined in. Then we sang some choir songs, and another herder joined our circle and listened to our singing.
The moment that I would never forget occurred on the fifth day of our trek in the middle of the Himalayas. After a morning hike and a delicious lunch, we approached a few sheep herders
We learned that she had 1000 sheep, she showed us a ring that she had bought with an intricate design on it, and her sling shot that she used while she was herding.
It was a truly magical and unique moment. It was crazy to think that even though we were in the middle of the unpopulated Himalayan mountains, we met and were able to interact with others and overcome language and cultural differences.