Back in Kandi

In Kandi the mountain village that features in my video on the Balti’s, life continues on despite the tough year especially in view of the fact that the villager’s main income is derived from the foreign tourist’s that never arrived. What is always admirable about these people like many others throughout the lesser developed parts of the World is they don’t complain but just get on with life and below are some images of the school children who featured in the video studying outside or in homes after hours to prepare for end of year exams. The winters are extremely cold and huddling beside an open fire is the most one can expect for warmth but these people are tough.

In a note of very sad news from Kandi, Akbar who was with us during much of the trip passed away after a motoring accident leaving a young family behind.

Akbar was always smiling and laughing whilst working and during our trip up the Nangma valley he related his near misses of the past including being tossed by a wild bull Yak and attempting to rescue some stranded climbers without any mountaineering gear and then coming to grief himself. I have left some photos below of Akbar and those that knew him will miss his smile sorely.

Pictures below of children studying in Kandi.