Seven Days in Tibet

Its already been over a week since I landed in Lhasa with Francois. The flight was too easy and it didn't feel like we really traveled to the top of the world. I spent a couple days in Lhasa getting used to the altitude and the culture. The Tibetan people are so nice and glad to see Westerners. I've been invited into many homes and cafes for tea and a chat. The food is terrific. I've had yak in every meal since I got here. Yak burgers put beef to shame.

I had already booked a tour through part of the region and I spent some time recruiting others to go with me in the car to keep the cost down. Together it was Francois and I, two girls, the driver and the guide packed into a Land Cruiser. We've been on the road now for 5 days together.

We've seen some amazing scenery and met some great people. I've toured at least four Buddhist monasteries and talked with many monks. Yesterday I woke up with Mt. Everest out my window only five miles away. Simply incredible. And, the stars at night out number any other view in the world.

We've had some adventures bribing gate keepers, touring closed monasteries under construction and acting violently ill so the police will let us pass. Altogether Tibet has been a great adventure.

Now I am waiting to cross the border into Nepal. They have a shoddy system and the road doesn't open until the border closes so I lose a day here, but that's part of the Chinese experience I guess.

Next stop - Kathmandu.