Leaving Lhasa

We have had four glorious days in Lhasa and thoroughly enjoyed this exotic city.  We have stayed in a typical Tibetan rest house owned by a Tibetan family in the heart of the old city and only a 10 minute walk to Johkang Square the centre of town.  Lhasa is a city under construction - almost every road in the old city is torn up while they install heating.  Not for the Tibetans to do one road at a time and with their obsolete tools their progress is slow only quickened by the fact that they work long hours.   

The main square is framed on one side by the Johkang Temple, the most important temple to the Tibetan Buddhists.  It is smoky and mystical, with candles burning in yak butter and many relics and idols lining the various crowded chapels.  The Tibetans are a devout people, lucky for the Chinese occupiers!!!  They always believe something good will come from situations but the presence of the Chinese police and army is obvious and blatant.  Check points everywhere, loudspeakers telling you what a blessing they are for Tibet and a huge statue in front of the revered Potala Palace called the Peaceful Chinese Pacification of Tibet monument.  Think John and I will be joining in a few marches on our return. 

The most wonderful asset of this country is its people and nowhere is this more obvious than on the circumambulation around the Johkang Temple where young and old join in to better their chances of heaven as their destination in the next life.  All walk clockwise with prayer wheels, rosary beads and prostrating themselves as they make their way around the temple. Large stupors burn incense and the whole experience is very spiritual and intense yet uplifting and relaxed at the same time. 

We visited the wonderful Potala Palace - probably the most impressive building we have ever seen and once home to the Dalai Lama.  It was very interesting.  Our guide is a passionate Buddhist and we have learnt a lot from him.  No one is allowed to enter Tibet without a guide and a car booked so it's an expensive business.  Probably the most expensive country we have ever visited.  But our guide, Tenzin, is very experienced and is keen to help us see the best Tibet has to offer.  We went with him yesterday to the Deprung Monastery which was also extremely intersting. 

Today we leave Lhasa and head toward Everest Base Camp via Gyantse and Shigatse.  The weather has been great here so we are praying for a fine day at EBC so as we can see that beautiful big mountain in all its glory.   

Hope all is well at home.  Happy holiday, Jules.  Hope you really enjoy Canada.  Will be thinking of you.  Take good care.

Deb and John

The beautiful people of Tibet