Incredible Ladakh: Julley, Leh!!! (Day 8)

We woke up in the morning, had breakfast and said our goodbyes to the hotel staff and friendly restaurant staff. Paljor was at the entrance waiting to drop us in the airport. Our plane from Leh was supposed to leave at 12.20 pm. We loaded the car around 10 am and after some last minute shopping at the Leh market once more, we headed to the airport. As we got closer to the airport, we could see numerous natives dressed in traditional Ladakhi clothes heading towards the airport. Apparently, a revered Lama was flying to Leh at that time. We could also see a lot of people heading to watch the Horse Polo, a famous game in Ladakh.

After reaching the airport, we unloaded our luggage and said ‘Julley’ to Paljor and headed into the airport. We were all set and waiting for our plane when the announcement over PA said that our plane was delayed by 2 hours. Unfortunately, we were at the gate already and had no other choice but to wait to board the plane. In Leh, planes are supposed to land and take off in the airport only during the mornings, afternoons are times when there could be strong mountain winds that make it difficult for take-off and landing. Deep in the corner of my heart I was wishing for the plane to be delayed further so I could get another day in this paradise, but, hey, let’s get practical.

The announcement over PA said that our plane (from Delhi) was on its way, and we will board shortly after it lands, to take off back to Delhi. At around 3.15 pm our plane to Delhi took off from Leh. As the plane took off, I kept looking at the majestic humungous mountains below me slowly getting smaller and farther. Tears rolling down my cheek, I said goodbye to the Mighty Himalayas one last time, promising to visit again, not just a visitor but as a person seeking for something beyond, from those peaks that taught me some subtle yet very powerful lessons about life (truth, calmness, and happiness) in the one week I spent there.