Talking local politics with Lama Palden in the Highland Hotel dining area. L/R is Dr. Kris Vijay, Dr. James Ivie, Randal, and Lama Palden. Side note, the Dalai Lama was on a "Meditation Retreat" sequestered outside the Town of Leh. He asked to borrow the satellite internet system from the Ladakh Heart Hospital to stay in constant contact with his "government in exile". You can't say no to the Dalai Lama, which led to us having virtually no contact with the outside world while we were in Ladakh. On the good side, the Dalai Lama assigned Lama Palden to be our "trusted guide" during our stay. He took us to many places the general public are not allowed...