Report From Tibet

First, on Chengdu:

Things started a bit rough. When I picked up my backpack from Chengdu, found that it had a lovely little rip in it, exposing my valuable possessions (my green shirt). Made my way to my hostel, where I found that I couldn't get the room I booked 2 months in advance, and instead, had to pay double the price for another room (albiet, a nice one). Lastly, almost had my purse pick pocked. Thank God the guy didn't take anything. As the saying goes, bad things happens in sets of threes. Good thing that's over with.

Now, on Tibet:

One word: amazing. The airport is one of the more spectacular in the world, nestled right inside high Himalayan mountains. The landing altitude was 12,000 feet above sea level. After 1.5 hours of driving through more mountains and mountain streams, we finally arrived in Lhasa. My hostel is right by the Jokhang Temple and Bhakor square, a few of the most imporatant sites in Lhasa. After lunch, I went for a walk around the neighborhood. Amongst Amdo women with pleaded hair and coral ornaments, maroon clad monks, Tibetan men with neatly braided hair, prayer wheel spinning elders, scarve clad muslims, and all the while surrounded by a valley of huge mountains whose base start at more than 10,000 feet above sea level, I found myself in one of the most fascinating cities in China. Even though I do get the occasional odd stares (I think it's because of my bubble gum pink "same same but different" shirt), people here has been very friendly. Smiles are given away so easily here, even with my face of an obvious Han Chinese.

The altitude does take a bit of getting used to, of which I'm still trying to do. My heart feels weird everytime I take a deep breath, I've been getting occasional sharp headaches, and even climbing up the stair to my guesthouse, I feel my heart racing.

Nevertheless, just to be in this part of the world, which I've dreamed of for over a year now, has been amazing. Even with the rough start of traveling solo, I've been able to meet fellow travelers, and even met a British guy whom I will probably rent a 4wd with to Everest Base Camp and maybe even Nam-tso lake. It still is hard sometimes meeting fellow travelers, especially when everyone else is paired into neat little groups, but at the same time, I've met more people so far than I have traveling with friends.

So the verdict: so far so good. Going to the Drepung tomorrow, doing a walking tour (via Lonely Planet), and settling things with the 4wd. Not bad so far. Just need to catch up on my sleep now...

And nothing beats drinking Lhasa Beer on a roof top restuarant overlooking Bakhor, Jokhang, and the surrounding Himalayan mountains.