la-dak’ (Ladakh) ‘a country of mountain passes.’ ”A trip to Ladakh is like no other. Lush green, snow-capped, and arid mountains, high and low, cover the vastness as far as the eye can see. Musical, mineral-rich, clear water streams pass through villages. Flags fly high atop monasteries, guiding your journeys. The dry, dusty wind and the tall poplars sway together. People wear long silk and wool robes, with tattoos and deep-set wrinkles adorning their faces. Mud, stone, and wood houses are a familiar sight along the way.