The Brokpa people we spent time with were always extremely hospitable and that normally included cracking out the ara on meeting. As the guest, you’re served a cup and have to take a gulp, then it’s immediately refilled. And that’s repeated three times. Hic.
We’d come across ara before on our travels in the Himalayas, a feisty alcoholic beverage made from distilled or fermented rice or barley. But this was the first time to be served a hot version. AND one mixed with yak cheese.
And check out their innovative yak hair hats, known as shamos, with the tendrils coming down all around the head. The latter are not mere decoration – they guide water down and away from the wearer when it rains. So basically they’ve invented a hands-free umbrella. Why is the rest of the world not using these?!
