Tashi dele from Lhasa - Tibet

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It feels pretty surreal day 1 here in Lhasa. The flight from Kunming was just awesome - flying over countless Himalayan mountains and glaciers. Although we're at 3,700 m its warm and pleasant - even now 9 pm at night. Felt great to get my first glimpse of the Potala. Tomorrow I'll explore it in detail. This afternoon was spent discovering the older Tibetan Barkhor area and the Jokhang Temple. There are lots of fascinating pilgrims walking the circuit around Jokhang prostrating themselves and spinning prayer wheels. I hung out with a couple of them and shared some food with them and their fellow characters - many with long hard lives written on their faces. I was given a well worn prayer bracelet - really appreciated it. The Tibetan culture is so rich - pity its been so impacted by the Chinese influx. There is still strongholds of Tibetan commuity though and it's such a huge country - with enough time there must be all kinds of isolated communities to discover. .....

... crazy - it's now 10pm on the night before I fly from Tibet to 'Shangri-la' in Yunnan - I know how it happened though - Tibet is just fasinating. Great scenary and even more fascinating people. The Potala was impressive - such a huge imposing 'building' - also so rich and ornate inside. Next day went to the Sera monastery - this is the real deal ~600 monks (only ~10% of the population before "liberation" though). Sat with a monk who then gave me tea - body language is enough sometimes. Also climbed around the hills behind the monastry tortoise pace due to altitude. The old Barkhor area of town is great in the evenings - great cafes with all cuisine available. Also found a very cool place called the 'House of Shambala' - new agey Tibeten flavour - a beautiful place to hang out.
Next day went to Nam-tso Lake in a jeep with Elana and Jill who I'd met @ the Potala. That was a great trip. Elana is Italian but 10 years in China so speaks fluent mandarin - really handy. We stopped wherever we felt like it and could interact easily with locals - like with the nomads with their yaks and brown tents. I found juggling did it for the kids - also beats the language barrier. Highest point was 5190m. The lake is apparently the highest - tent shops there sell oxygen. The afternoon clouds cleared from the Himalayas and we were treated to the huge expansive views. Also came across pilgrims over a 100 kms from Lhasa prostrating every 2 steps on the road - just amazing.

more later net cafe closing - so many gr8 photos I cant load

My last day in Lhasa included a visit to Drepung monastery. The monks were 'debating' when I arrived. They get right into it making lots of noise with 'clapping' challenges to their partner asking about Bhuddist philosophy. Afterwards I was just sitting when an old monk came over and checked out a postcard I was writing then opened a temple for me to have a private tour - he was great - relaxed and smiling. It was time for a last evening circuit of Barkhor Temple - the melting pot - the essence of Lhasa.

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Comments

[Ati]

enjoy!
Sounds like a great trip, John! Enjoy every minute of it! Life is ticking on here, as usual, not a lot of news or maybe many, depends how one looks at it. Haven't made it to the gym much, life is busy! and it is still pretty cold,so once you get home and the heater going it is difficult to drag yourself out again. I need some motivation here, John! Take care! Ati

[Robina]

Photos
Really looking forward to seeing the photos