Humans of Wanderlust #11: Dorje and Sonam from Langza

Introduction

The Langza family, as we at tlow fondly refer to them are amazing people who are always ready to help others. There are six members in the family and the head of the family is Dorje and his wife’s name is Sonam. They have two sons and two daughters.

On a freezing day in the village, they have been saviours for many of our travellers at tlow. The tea, tandoor, hot food and their warm nature is always the complete package. Sonam has a number of fossils that Langza is famous for which she has found in her fields. She said, “If you go around the village, you will surely find one or two.”

Sonam shared why the family started their homestay, “I feel good when travellers come to stay with us. Hearing their experiences is so refreshing for us all as we have never been to cities. When a traveller or any person is in need of food or shelter we feel happy and blessed by God that we are filling an empty stomach and giving shelter to a traveller in need. We do not do this for money, we do it because we are happy to do it.” She is lovingly called Sonam didi and makes sure that everybody has enough food as she stands there and serves everybody.

Dorje shared about life in Langza and how they survive the harsh winters. “We are doing this for ages. We start the preparation for the next winter as soon one winter passes. We have to sit at home for weeks as the weather gets really bad during peak winters. We have to collect wood before winter starts,” he said.

Langza

He revealed that there is no major change in Langza as it is at a high altitude and receives plenty of snowfall. But a problem that Langza faces is that there is no proper water supply, so locals have to walk miles to get drinking water which is very difficult in winters.