Beyond Borders
Beyond Borders: Exploring unique stories of creative individuals around the world.
My name is Lisa Chang. I’ve always enjoyed in-depth conversations with my friends from different places, cultures, and professions. I love peeking inside their head and ride along with their train of thoughts and stories. There are always inspirations, surprises, and laughter.
In 2023, I decided to create 1 season of podcast where each episode features a recorded conversation between me and a friend. It would be so wonderful if the stories of my creative, hardworking, and kind-hearted friends could be heard more. And that’s what you’ll find on this podcast.
I love the idea that languages are tools for storytelling. With over 1 billion English speakers on this planet and the technology to connect us all, I want to share the far away stories I’ve heard with you.
Let's explore unique stories of creative individuals around the world together.
Cheers!
Beyond Borders
Gelek Phunchok | My Home Leh, Ladakh
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Gelek Phunchok comes from Ladakh, the high altitude region in the northern part of India. Most of us have only seen the spectacular scenery of Ladakh from the Indian blockbuster movie “3 Idiots,” but never have a chance to chat with a person coming from there.
In this episode, Gelek talks about how Tibetan Buddhism influences their lifestyle and culture, the changes happening in his hometown Leh, over the past 30 years; the culture shocks he had living in Delhi and Taipei, and last but not least, the most touching moment in the story of Gelek and his dear wife Cindy from Taiwan.
🎥 To see the video of this episode:
https://youtu.be/9qc89lZT5os
🗺️ Gelek’s travel agency, Dlonpo Travels:
https://m.facebook.com/DlonpoTravels
https://instagram.com/dlonpotravels_ladakh
🍲 Gelek’s restaurant, Sky Wok Ladakh:
https://m.facebook.com/SkyWokLadakh
https://instagram.com/skywokladakh
📸 Check out some behind-the-scene photos here:
https://instagram.com/beyondborderspod
🎬Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Highlight in this episode
(00:00:24) Welcome Gelek!
(00:00:45) What’s Leh, Ladakh like?
(00:01:48) Snow and Ladakh
(00:04:13) Plants in Ladakh
(00:06:30) Everybody had to farm in old days
(00:08:11) Travel between Leh and the next city
(00:12:11) Culture shocks outside of Ladakh
(00:15:50) Leh and Taipei
(00:17:05 ) Your society expects you to be?
(00:18:09) Changes happening in Leh
(00:19:30) How to get into universities in India
(00:22:36) Facilities in Taipei
(00:24:27) People are friendly but...
(00:25:15) Family name as house number
(00:32:44) Nuclear family vs joint family
(00:34:09) Prayer room in Buddhist family
(00:36:31) Gelek’s businesses and career path
(00:40:26) 3 Idiots and the tourism in Ladakh
(00:50:07) Owning a restaurant during COVID
(00:54:44) Why we don’t fish in Ladakh
(00:57:34) How to build houses in Ladakh
(01:01:19) A typical work day for Gelek
(01:06:41) Parents travel abroad the first time
(01:10:53) Marrying someone outside of Ladakh
(01:12:59) When Gelek’s mom met Cindy
(01:15:20) Meeting the Taiwanese relatives
(01:17:02) Showing love and respect in Ladakhi
(01:18:55) The long journey to get married
(01:20:06) A simple Ladakhi word to learn