Another Remote Village

Bjabcho, Japcho- two ways I have seen the name of this village spelled.  It is just around the corner from where I am, but seems to be in another world.  For two reasons: it is semi remote and the weather is different.  

Village in foreground with Goempa just visible above

Dave and I headed up there on the motorcycle yesterday afternoon.  He wants to hike the ridge above the village, as he can see it from where he lives. We took a fork in the road and the farm road was so steep I had to get off and walk at times.  The road became impassable for cars, then ended abruptly below the village.  We were happy to walk and I was so excited to get to a village that was only accessible by foot.  Well, there was a newer road and when we puffed our way into the village there were cars.  There is no school in this village as the next village down the road has a primary school and middle  and secondary students come to Tshimisham where I live. 

Village and goempa 

Fields below village, looking towards Dave's

There is a goempa (monastery) above the village and we walked there too. 

Chortens everywhere

We still want to walk up the ridge some day soon despite the stories we have heard.  There are five mountains along the ridge and the deity does not like when people walk up, so the peaks become foggy in order to make people lose their way.  There are however prayer  flags on the ridge so we will at least get that far. 

Man is grinding millet for ara (local wine)