Despite all the garbage Tibetans put up with from China, the people of Tibet are amazingly warm and friendly to outsiders. They will stare at you but just out of curiosity and when you look back at them, they will give you a big genuine smile. They are very poor but also very happy and very religious and seem to take all the unfairness of life in stride. How could you not be happy when you live in such an astonishingly beautiful country!
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September 11, 2009 – Day 260 – Everest Base Camp, Tibet side

A full day of driving with only a few stops along the way. Lunch was in a tiny unpleasant town with nothing to offer but a warm, cheap meal. We had traditional Tibetan noodles, a kind of thick noodle soup in a yak broth for about $0.45.

Everest at night

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September 10, 2009 – 259 – Shigatse, Tibet

Spectacular (but dangerous) driving today. Our driver is absolutely insane and drives a minimum of 100 kph around gravel covered hairpin mountain curves with the back tires skidding (and sometimes squealing) behind. We have had our share of crazy drivers but this one seems the most ridiculous of all. At any rate, we were able to see some beautiful views of Tibet as we drove toward our home for the night, a little town called Shigatse.

Yak at Yamdrok Lake

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September 9, 2009 – Day 258 – Lhasa, Tibet

Being in Lhasa is literally being in a whole different world. It is absolutely nothing like China and it is difficult to see just why China insists on maintaining ownership over this small, poor region. The people are so wonderful and even though they do stare, they are honestly curious instead of nosy and will return your glance with a big smile.

In the streets of Lhasa

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September 8, 20009 – Day 257 – Lhasa, Tibet

When talking about a place as colorful and detailed as a Tibetan Buddhist temple, how is it possible to describe the interior without pictures? No photos are allowed inside any Buddhist temple and it makes it difficult to fully paint a picture with enough or the right words.

Monk in the temple

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September 6, 2009 – Day 255 – In transit China to Tibet

Very long, irritating train ride. Beautiful scenery, inconsiderate cabin mates (hard sleeper with 6 bunks; ours are bottoms this one and only time…ugh), looking forward to a real meal not consisting of almond crackers and oreos.

Saben on the train

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August 26-27, 2009 – Day 244-245 – Beijing, China

A work day and a sick day, respectively. Lin has contracted what Dr. Saben believes is the dreaded yak flu (oh my!) and has remained unconscious for nearly 24 hours. Meanwhile Saben, shedding his doctoral duties, spent the same 24 hours deliriously wandering the streets of Beijing in search of a Bank of China into which he intended to deposit the funds for our upcoming Tibet tour. After nearly 4 hours, he returned to the hostel, psychologically tattered and suffering a mild case of PTSD as a result. For a light dinner to soothe the pain, he enjoyed a large piece of cow and a cold beer.

The cow (or part of it, which part? I'm not quite sure)

August 11-14, 2009 – Day 229-232 – Chengdu, China

Spent two days resting our weary legs and working on our Tibet plan. Then the next two days on a train to Hong Kong via Shenzhen, China. Still no luck finding a group for Tibet.

Yeah, It's kind of like that.

August 7, 2009 – Day 225 – Chengdu, China

We are so happy that we switched hostels! Last night was spent at the amazing Sim’s Cozy Garden Hostel and it was awesome! Anyway, light post today because we stayed in to work out our Tibet plan, which is quite a mess! Note: Sim’s has a great posting board for trying to find other travelers for Tibet groups.

Lindsey enjoying some lunch

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