We’ve been quiet on the blog for a few reasons but mostly because this group is immersing itself so fully in this place that there is little time for writing or answering your excellent questions. We’re thinking about the right things, though, and will send several updates today (India time). Thank you, followers, for holding us accountable to your questions and helping us all think about the right things while we’re in this unique place.

Most of the group is on a trek to Dodital, the fabled lake where the Hindu god Ganesh is said to have received his elephant head. The lake is nestled at about 10,000 ft. near the headwaters of the Assi Ganga. It’s a beautiful, spiritual place teeming with brown trout brought there by a British man in the 1860s. The group has been exploring the lake and its surroundings for the past two days and will return today with pictures and stories to share of encounters with Gujjars, Ganesh, rising trout, views of the high Himalayas, and much more. They’ve been led by Praveen and his crew of cooks, porters, and assistant guides. The valley is as much their home as Agora is and the group has no doubt learned a lot from their guides.

A few of us stayed back in Agora and have enjoyed a few days of further exploring the village and taking drives to nearby sights, including Suman’s wife’s home village and Raithal, one of the older communities in the region. It has been a nice, quiet few days for us. We are also here because Suman’s grandmother, known by her grandmother title “Dadi,” is nearing the end of her storied life. She is the oldest woman in the village and a source of wisdom and knowledge for the community of Agora and the surrounding villages. She has seen such change in her life and yet she has been a constant, known for her quick wit, her kindness, and her ability to understand things far beyond the context of her life. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! We’ll share more about her as time permits – few humans remain on earth with lives lived the way hers has been, with such intimate connections to a place and its community.

It’s a beautiful day here. The haze that followed us from Delhi has been cleared away by afternoon rains and strong sunlight. Each day feels different here – today, the vibe is clarity. We’ll help share that clarity soon.

Thanks again!