Fields shimmering with gold and white in the warm summer sun.
The barley and buckwheat crop create waves in the summer breeze. Branches with apricots and apples, falling head over heels, waiting to be seen. Pretty flowers in every home. Garden vegetables jostling for space.
As we walk through the narrow lanes in the village, rosy cheeked children, scurry home for lunch. Men and women with a summer tan, are drying berries and fruit in their yards. Sprightly old ladies with their toothless smiles, call us to buy apricot oil and apples.
Turtuk is a place of happy smiles, friendly people and a brimful of hope. The seasons dictate the culture and life of the people.
Summers are for celebrations, harvesting crops and trade. The harsh winters are for communal warmth and family time.
Being very close to the international border, it has the best of both worlds.
Located in the Balistan region, the people of Turtuk and the neighboring villages have a checkered history. Before we judge, read more about Turtuk and the Balti culture HERE.
We were visiting the family of Ghulam Hussain Sangsangpa to experience traditional Balti food and culture.
We entered a garden filled with summer flowers. They symbolize fertility and positivity for the Baltis and are grown in every home.
Naseema shyly welcomed us. We were ushered into a cozy room arranged with several carpets.
She introduced herself and mentioned that she is studying in junior college and wants to get a degree in the medical field.
Her mum brings us warm kahawa as a welcome drink and a bowl of fresh apricots.
A traditional tea made of saffron water, and almonds, kahawa is consumed across the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladhak.
She also offers us warm butter tea. A drink made of yak butter and salt; this is a must have in every Ladhaki household to keep the cold at bay.
I enter the kitchen to chat with Naseema who is giving final touches to lunch. The pots and pans are impeccably displayed similar to a Ladhaki kitchen.
On the menu is rice, dal (lentil soup), home grown organic palak (green leafy vegetable), some green chilies for heat and raita (a yogurt-based dish with coriander leaves and salt, a great summer cooler)
The star dish was buckwheat pancakes. A flowering plant, buckwheat is a superfood grown abundantly in the region. It can be had with veggies or dals and is good for heart health in addition to multiple other health benefits.
We rounded off our lunch with some dried apricots and filled our pockets with some, for on the road snacking.
A brimful of Asha (hope) – A song written by British Alt Rock band Cornershop. The song talks about holding on to hope in tough times and finding joy in the little things.
The Smiling Travellerr 