The Hat man of Zanskar.
Added 2021-04-13 12:08:52 +0000 UTCAffectionately known as Achoo Tong Tong or Pischu Tong Tong , he is probably the most recognisable face from Zanskar. All thanks to the traditional hat that he wears all year around.
.
'Tong Tong' if you haven't guessed already refers to the wearer of the hat!
.
It is an interesting name but not as interesting as his real name - Thukje Gyatso.
.
The word 'Thukje' means 'Compassion' in the local language. 'Gya' means 'Deep' or 'Bottomless'. And 'Tso' means Lake or any large body of water. So Thukje Gyatso means a Ocean of Compassion and Achoo Tong Tong definitely lives up to his name.
.
I was with him at #Pischu when we discovered the frostbite in my feet. I had ignored it for 3 days but he immediately realised the seriousness of the situation. He then offered to perform the traditional Zangskari treatment of burning off the dead skin from my frostbitten toes. I refused at first but then relented after a while as I was secretly a bit curious about the treatment.
.
The burning had immediate effect on my toes. Blood started flowing again and my toes were very painful the next couple of days. It was the good kind of the pain, the pain of the body healing itself.
.
I had initially planned to spend only a week at Pischu but he insisted that I stay with him and not go anywhere until my feet healed completely. So I did exactly that. Staying at the Pischu village for over a month until I felt well enough to get moving again.
