Captains log - Stardate 45798374569820934 (a.k.a. 'the journal')
"it feels like we are crossing an ocean of mountains. Nearly two hours we have been flying and peak after glorious peak endlessly stretches to the horizon. The clouds are suspended like teathered floats. And the white caps of the himilayas in the distance... its just breathtaking. Sometimes you can see little villages along the mountain bases and rivers. Who lives there? i wonder. Have they ever left thier homes? Do they trudge the muddy waters to the next village over to court a charming girl? What do they eat? How cold are the winters? I wish I could take a lovely picture - but a picture could not possibly do any justice to this Beauty"
That was my first impression of Tibet. The bus ride into Lhasa was... interesting. The mountains were gorgeous, they look like someone put The Superstitions on steroids and added some snow. We are high enough for aspens! and they are beginning to turn their yellows. There are also all these bushes of purple flowers that spot the country side with a deep lavandar hue. The bus ride was interesting because, as in most of china, the rules of the road are more like 'guidelines'. I can't tell you how often i swore under my breath!
The tibeten people look different than the rest of China (or Han Chinese). The chinese have this soft cream look to them, but the tibetens have a brown sugar color and wrinkly faces from the harsh weather. like you could pull on their skin and a foot of face would stretch out. i haven't tried it just yet ;)
i think one of my favorite things is the chinese children learn a little english and they are so excited to practice what they know. So i walk down the street and i hear over and over 'hello! hello! nice to meet you!' from adults too! its really quite nice. i am not used to the attention - but it is good fun.
This next week shall be most facinating it think. The toilets - well, they stink. but the rest of the hostel is quite inviting. And i am learning my way around the city a bit. I will have more to report tomorrow.
Sweet Dreams to the West ~
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