Jamie
06/18/2006, Lhasa

Getting a chance to get up so close to the Potolla Palace was quite amazing no doubt. The whole group was led through the main Tibetan Monastary yesterday by a Tibetan Monk. It was truly incredible to learn about so much of the culture and religion. Tenpa our guide slowly and carefully had to describe things in a manner that does not include any information about the devastation of the Cultural Revolution, and I didn't want to ask to many questions, even though we all had many. We still learned so much. The neatest moment cam when we went to the 14th Dali Lama's summer palace where I was able to see so many things I had read about in the book Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer. The car the English had give the young Lama, and the radio from the Russians, all so incredible.

Today were taking tours of more holy sites, then tonight I've arranged to see a traditional Tibetan Ceremony that not many western guest ever see. It was worth the effort, and know it will be rewarding. We leave towards Everest tomorrow AM, and everyone is excited to be moving out of Lhasa and on to our next phase of this trip.

So far everyone is healthy, but obviously since it was a big jump in altitude-a few folks have had some issues with the altitude. I believe everyone after today will begin to be at full strength and ready for walking into base camp at 17,000 feet.

Comments [0]

Jamie
06/16/2006, Lhasa

Wow, making the rounds taking care of things has proven to be not only difficult but, well sorta fun. I've decided to forgo using taxis and instead hired this Tibeten man in a rickshaw to take me all around, seems as if even not knowing the language, good humor, hand gestures and drawings speaks enough.

This is a group shot of all the guides for this years guides training. Pictured are, Tammara Walters, Bruce Hamiltion, Johnny Thomson, Austin Badeau and myself. Missing is Shawn Connor, Greg Iafelice and Andrew Walters.

Comments [0]

Jamie
06/15/2006, Lhasa

Made it to Lhasa yesterday, and what an incredible flight it was. Approaching from the North we started to see Himalayan mountains out the windows, thus excitment shot up. When we landed we were landing at 12,000 feet in a Boeing 737 and below mountains, and final was a slow descent to touch-down.

We got out of the airplane and yep were at 12,000 feet, catch your breath and look up at glue skies.

Lhasa has changed a lot from the pictures in my head I had of Henrich Harrer walking in from India. The Chinnese have taken claim, and its apparent. On one side of Lhasa Tibetans live, and the other the larger Chinnese buildings, hotels and a more sterile apperance than I'd prefer.

The highway into town was just finished last year and not at all what I expected. Its all fine, as I was joking its certainly a new road, but the vehicles sure aren't. Funny contrast all around.

I've really not walked around much but will today as I make final preparations for my guest arriving tomorow.

I can't seem to get my photos to go through the email system as its s l o w! I'll keep trying.

Comments [0]