Journal from Fritsl:

    Yesterday was a long day in more ways than one.  Not only was it the solstice, it began for Maggie and me at 4:30 AM.  We woke up and slowly made our way up the 584 wonderfully uneven, hand-built steps to reach the Shanti Stupa.  The stupa, after which our guest house is named, is perched above Leh among the taller peaks surrounding the city and is a perfect place to watch the rising sun unveil the mountains.  It was nearly daylight at 5 when we reached the top so we did not get to see the same amazing display of stars from the night before, but the sunlight reflecting off of the few clouds was a fair trade.  We left the one-legged bird and those meditating at 6:30 to head back to bed.

    Later that morning, we hopped into jeeps to visit monasteries outside of Leh.  We first stopped at Thikse Gompa, a five hundred year old monastery where there lives an impressive three story statue of Maitreya Buddha.  

    Without leaving anyone behind, we proceeded to Sheh Palace.  This palace was built in memory of the father of a king of Ladakh and was formerly the capitol of Ladakh.  The fort at the palace was a slow and challenging climb; the pay-off was a spectacular view of the Indus river valley and the palace itself.

    Back in Leh we had the afternoon off.  We regrouped to eat dinner together and split up again.  Wally, Compton, Michael, and I visited the kids from Vail Mountain School before returning to our guest house.  We all hung-out in Matt and Carl’s presidential suite before we trickled off to bed.