Lhasa, Tibet
March 3, 2010
I wrote a ton on the train and am now finally at a computer and starting up a blog about this evening…
Here i am my first day in Lhasa, Tibet. We got off the train around 5:30 pm and our guide picked us up in a mini bus from the station. Our guide put white silky scarf-ish things around each of our necks in welcome. The scarves (the name escapes me) and used for good luck, respect, and to honor someone who has passed. I thought it quite sweet.
We were all so excited to take showers and EAT!!! First thing we were told on the bus was not to shower until the morning otherwise we’d catch a cold and not to become full as the digestion would be extra work on our bodies which are already working extra hard to aclimatize. While I can’t shower until morning, I did finally change my underwear! Tonight I will even change the clothes I’ve been wearing since I left Korea.
When we arrived at the hotel we presented our passports and checked in. Justine and I are sharing a room and I started squealing with delight when I saw that we had a hair dryer and a bunch of little samples including razors! The water takes about 5 minutes to heat up – I asked about it because I HAD to know. The best part is that we don’t have to use a squatter. We have a “sterilized” toilet.
On the bus we had also been told not to exert ourselves and that when it is better to take a rest than medicine for altitude headaches. There is also to be no alcohol for 2 days and we should eat a lot of vegetables. I’m sure there’s something else that I missed.
Wew made our way across the street for dinner. Unfortunately the only kind of vegetable available at our restaurant was the leek which came inside a dumpling. We ended up ordering two types of noodle dishes along with the leek dumplings. We each got a little dish for dumpling sauce which was a bit spicy. I then poured in some vinegar from the teapot on the table. I didn’t let myself get full but I was just about there.
We were all so hungry. Will had ordered chicken but I was done. When it arrived at the table it came with all the parts. At first I was disgusted but I quickly took interest. I held a chicken foot in my chopstick and then braved the head. I videoed and photographed the experience. I don’t know how much you’d have to pay me to eat the head but I suppose if I had run out of cash I’d opt for it. Yaaaak!
Speaking of yaks, rounding the corner were a whole slew of shops showcasing yak meat. There were some smaller slabs but most of them were full on carcass, the hides removed ready for eating. The first place I came upon, a man was wacking at the ox with a giant hammer.
I can’t wait to see a live yak because they looked so cute from the train. I wouldn’t be opposed to trying some though.
I love the people on our trip. We all seem to mesh really well. Justine and I have been friends for a while. Will and Laura are good pals having taught together in China. Rochelle likes to take pictures and Mirjanda is very sweet. I’m diggin’ it.
Lhasa is a small city but the people are amazing. I cannot get over the complexion of their skin. Living at such a high altitude certainly takes its toll, even on the very young. Everyone’s cheeks are rosey as if someone had gone overboard with blush. I am not exaggerating at all. Their appearance really tells a lot about who they are and where they live. At dinner we were literally stared at, like more than in Korea but I didn’t mind because I was happy to stare back.
The streets are somewhat quiet with taxis and rick-shaws about. We arrived late in the day but I imagine it is never overflowing with people. Most of the shops had yak and things like hats, sunglasses, scarves, etc. I purchased a pair of sunglasses since my eyes have bee having a hard time out here adjusting to the light. No one else seems to mind.
I’m wondering if the altitude headaches will kick in. I’m hoping to avoid them altogether. Tomorrow we will go to the Potola Palace which was the home for the Dhali Lama way back when. We saw it from a distance while pulling into the train station. I’m blanking on what else is lined up but we should finish up the day with a “bustling bazar” in some place that starts with a B.
Until I blog again, which I hope to do daily!
~Aimee
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