Greetings from Lhasa. It took 48 hours on a train to get here. It took about 15 hours to adjust to the air. It took no time to understand what makes this country so special or intriguing. The train ride in itself was long and at times frustrating. For example the team of 20 or so kids who shared the car with us. The chaperones were in a different car. Up the ladders, down the ladders, up the aisles, down the aisles over and over. Not to mention these kids all smelled as though they hadn’t bathed in some time. They thankfully were not going all the way to Lhasa. After their departure the last 24 hours were quite different and I was able to enjoy the sunset as we made our way onto the Tibetan Plateau. The next day was one beautiful sight after another as we climbed higher and higher.
Now I am here and have to give myself reality checks from time to time, Yes I really am in Tibet! To be here there were many hoops and regulations; particularly obtaining a VISA and guide. KongChok is great. He indulges questions, shopping, and pictures. He knows everything about this city and his history it really is his history too. His family has been living at the Portola Palace for almost 250 years, he was born in the family home inside the gate! They left here after being “asked” to leave in 1989 (read between the lines here!). The Portola Palace was beautiful. With every step through the halls you absorb the peace that has been central from the start. Well 7th Century to be exact that was when it was built.
Today has been an amazing experience! We traveled out to NamTso Lake. This is the lake with the highest elevation in the world; 17,127 feet. This is in fact only 30 feet below the Everest Base Camp’s elevation (and no, regretfully enough there was not enough time to make it all the way out there) and so I pretty much was at the top of the world today, physically and emotionally. The colors of the lake were amazing, so clear and so many shades of blue. So big, it extended all the way to the horizon. The mountains surrounding were dusted with snow even this first week in September.
The 120 mile drive out showed the Tibet of my dreams. Grasslands and mountains. Yaks, sheep and goat herds. All being tended by shepherds in traditional wear. Tents for these nomadic people dotted the landscape. Raging creeks and rivers throughout the hills. It was better than any picture or image I could have imagined!
Everywhere I look are prayer flags. Everywhere I walk I smell juniper incense. This really is a once in a lifetime experience.
Sounds so amazing, J….can’t wait to see your photos!!