Seven Weeks in Tibet

Known as the "Roof of the World", Tibet is one of the most beguiling and exotic travel destinations on earth. For the traveler looking for a world untouched by time, Tibet will stun and amaze you with its diversity and WILD beauty. Heinrich Harrer—portrayed by Brad Pitt in Seven Years in Tibet tells us in his classic book about the spectacular experience he had among this people. Since World War II and the invasion and occupation of Tibet, you would assume the Tibetans he described would be no more, but amazingly these determined folks persevere, holding dear to their traditions, religious beliefs and customs. Come to WILD Tibet before it fades into the overwhelmingly Chinese influence, meet these astounding people who have inhabited this magnificent land mass for thousands of years. Surrounded by vast mountain ranges ... read more

Yushu: This place is like walking onto a movie set, complete with authentic costumes, hair regalia and characters from the last century. Every step is an exquisite photograph waiting for the click. Nomads and farmers and city folk all stroll the streets doing their shopping, while the catapiller sellers huddle in groups trying to get the best price for their "fungus", the miracle cure for aging. It's actually not a fungus. It begins in the winter as a worm under the ground, then shoots up and leaves behind a carcus, which is what is selling. I wish I could load a photo, however, from here in China, this program to upload photos (and I've tried all of them) doesn't want to work. Even the one to adjust the photo size, surely mine are too big, doesn't ... read more

OK, I will try this entry again. I had written for 20 minutes about the beauty of this land, and then the manager of this internet cafe in Zadou pullled the plug, the hour done. No bother to ask if I wanted to continue, no warning, may I add very annoying! However, this is China and I am in the middle of nowhere so I shouldn't be surprised at anything that happens here. I realized it is hard to count on anything here, like times and plans and schedules, I just didn't expect to be shut down without warning, but hey it goes with the territories of expectations. Now I will save this as a draft and hope my entry doesn't get shut down again. OK, so the ride from Xining to Yushu was amazing and ... read more

I've been in Xining for 2 weeks trying to figure out my itinerary for Tibet. It appears at this point in time that although the Chinese say Tibet is open, in fact, the only way to visit any part of what used to be Tibet, is to have a group tour, but everyone in the group must be from the same country, having the same passport. This means, hooking up at a hostel with other travelers to create a tour is nearly impossible. A group used to be 2 and now is 4. Besides that you can only go to Lhasa, or if you can go anywhere else it is only WITH A GUIDE AND DRIVER. In other words, there is no roaming, no busing, no trains available to foreigners in most of the Tibetan areas. ... read more

Xining Oh, so I arrived in Xining Aug 10th, stayed at the Lete Hostel, highly recommended, much better than any hotel, with internet access, a tour co on site, clean and updated, washing, etc. I moved to Xing Yuan Hotel with my "orphanage" buddies on the third night. We were supposed to only be here for a couple days, but the main donor cannot cash her travelers checks, only $3000 a day, so we have been a bit stuck for cash to purchase all the stuff for the kids. We have purchased a lot of items, including coal, huge amount of food, mattresses, desks, computers, shoes and clothes, which all have been trucked the 20 hours to Warithang Orphanage. As far as I know all our boxes of winter clothing has reached the orphanage, but until ... read more

Whoa, it seems like I have been here for months, but it's only been a couple of weeks. I stayed at the Le Tour Hostel in Shanghai and would recommend it, even though they failed to pick me up at the airport, which was quite disturbing after 20 some hours in the air and no Chinese in my vocab. Luckily, I borrowed someone's cell phone and had their number. I waited two hours to get picked up. Other than that, the hostel is great, nice breakfast room, wonderful location, nice people. I was only there one day, two nights, took a tour to Suzchoe (spelling) which could have been marvelous due to the nice attractions, however the tour keep stopping at all these selling places, giving you more time there than the attractions, which was comical ... read more

After almost a year of study and preparation, I have finally reached my destination. I am IN CHINA, not to view the marvelous Olympics, but to head East to TB, which is my abbreviation here on out for Tibet. After a 23 hour flight (including a 5 hour layover in Atlanta) I arrived in the magnificient Shanghai Podang International Airport, which is truly a showpiece. After NOT finding my name on a paper sign as i exited the customs area, I could have panicked, fallen on my knees and started to cry, but I decided, as often I do, to just let it be what it was. I strolled around one more time looking for my name. Nope! So, I borrowed a phone from a very tall and exquisite Chinese beauty who was very friendly, and ... read more

OK, this if finally happening. I am leaving July 11th for this adventure, a bit intimidated, but I know the only thing to fear is fear itself. I will update this blog as I go along, WHEN I can get to the internet. The month I am working at the orphanage I will not be in contact at all. We will be sleeping on the floor of a big building with no electric and no plumbing! In fact, the area is nomadic, not even on the map! So I doubt if there is access to electric or internet for a few hundred miles! Yikes! Keep your eyes open for more of my travels. Here's my final "stays", all are hostels of one sort or the other, places a single person doesn't have to feel alone. I ... read more