#52 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (TIBET #2- Day 2 On the train from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet)

Asia » China » Tibet » Lhasa
August 30th 2006

Published: September 1st 2006

Train tickets are not sold until 10 days before departure in China, and with 1.4 billion people on the move every day, soft-sleeper tickets, especially to Beijing, are at a premium. Arthur did manage to connect us, so that we would arrive in Beijing on the morning of our exciting departure to Lhasa, Tibet. One of the world's "great" train-journeys has been made available to adventurous travele... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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Nomads

Notice the tents of the isolated nomads, who move their herds from place to place.

Tibet Plateau

We continue to travel at over 13,000 feet altitude for some 900 miles.

arriving in Lhasa

Only a few miles before entering the city of Lhasa, habitation is still isolated.

2 gold yak as symbol of Lhasa

Having finally "battled" ourselves into better hotel accommadations, we found the symbol of Lhasa only blocks from our building.

Potala Palace

Home of many of Tibets former theocratic-rulers, the Dalai Lamas.

Potala Palace

Quite a formidable reminder of the conflict between the 14th Dalai Lama and the government of China.

Pilgrims and believers...

travel many miles and often many weeks to pay respect in front of one of Lhasa's holiest sites, the Potala Palace, by prostrating. Even the little child in red has the little butt exposed, as she imitates her mother.

Prayer-wheels

Each contain rolls of scriptures, and are always turned clock-wise by the pilgrim.

Pilgrims Path

As Tibetan Buddhists follow the pilgrim's path, walked similarly for centuries, they spin each of the prayer wheels in a clock-wise direction. Yak-butter makes the wheels turn quietly and easily.

Hundreds of prayer-wheels

The path completely circles the Potala Palace, and has been walked in a clock-wise direction since the 7th Century. Pilgrims seem to mingle un-afraid of the intrusions by tourists.

hand wheel

Tibetan Buddhist Pilgrims do not wish to have their photos taken. Notice how this believer carries a hand-held prayer wheel, which he spins clock-wise throughout his walk, that can last for many hours.

Potala is both, fortress and monastery.

From any point impressive.

The roof of the Potala Palace seems to touch the sky.

Stone drawings, and prayer tablets litter many parts of the mountain surrounding the Palace.

from street

There are few places in Lhasa, from where the Potala Palace is not visible.

many questions

Two Buddhist monks engaged us in conversations. They too were resting from the severe climb.

" The palace embraces"

What a climb, and no photos inside.

But it was worth the effort and the pounds I left behind.

aiming for the sky

Its walls have been host to centuries of history.

prayer flags

As pilgrims climb down from the Potala Palace, many will attach colorful prayer flags, from which the wind will carry their carefully written words.

1st September 2006

Richard & Iva Abramowski
non-member comment

Great Pictures
Hello Hans.....We are your sister Resa's in laws. My brother Ron told us about your travelblog. We are enjoying all of your travels . Love the pic's.

1st September 2006

Maria Valero (Liora's mom)
non-member comment

Congratulations!
Wow, way to go Hans! You've made it to the Potala... I've always wanted to visit. Thank you for the pictures, which make me feel a little closer to my dream.

1st September 2006

Rick Gonzalez
non-member comment

Hello and Thanks
Hans, Hello and a thank you for sharing your TravelBlog. It's fasinating!

2nd September 2006

Sandra Cordova
non-member comment

You definitely advertise exotic places well!!! :)

2nd September 2006

Margie
non-member comment

Hey!!
Hey Schneider! I'm so glad to see you smiling in your pictures and seeing that you're enjoying your life in China to the fullest. We miss you greatly at Gables. Connor, Manny, and I talk about you all the time. We miss you tons. I love all of the photos. They're so beautiful and they make me want to go explore China myself. Well take care of yourself!

4th September 2006

karin henkel
non-member comment

hallo Hans, auch in althütte verfolgen wir mit spannung und sehr viel interesse deine reisen und freuen uns an den tollen bildern. und...wir beneiden dich ein bißchen und bewundern dich sehr :-) alles liebe von karin

5th September 2006

Ashley Santiz
non-member comment

You should do this for the discover channel :P Everyone who sees your blog wants to go to china! (especially me!)

5th September 2006

Amber Tang
non-member comment

fantastic
You two finally travelled to Tibet:) I am sure your pics will draw more people to China:)

30th April 2007

Archie
non-member comment

On my way to Tibet need your help
Hello Han; I plan to visit China/Tibet in July, and want to know how you got your Tibet permit? Thank you for your time in this matter. Archie

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#52 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (TIBET #2- Day 2 On the train from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet)

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