4.4.2007
She’s seen Everest! Planes to Lhasa should have bigger windows on the left side and a counterweight on the right! Everyone was careering over the backs of others to catch a reverential view of Everest as they flew past…but within five minutes Chomulungma (‘Mother Goddess of the World’), and the object of the pilgrimage, was just a distant view on the vista.
Lhasa – brought mixed feelings. The wonderfully intricate and historic Potala Palace contrasted sharply with the utilitarian Chinese concrete block monsters. Klara is taking in the atmosphere of the old town of Lhasa with its bustling small shops, market places, and ambient folklore. It is 17 degrees during the day, but it soon becomes deathly cold in the evening. Although Klara begged for a small electric heater in the hotel room, her first “alpine” sleep was less than perfect. Whilst she does have the luxury of her own bathroom (probably for the last time!) and warm running water (well, in theory, at least!), she’s already starting to become more used to being closer to the sky, and drinking incessantly in order to get acclimated.
In the next few days Klara is looking forward to visiting the Dalai Lama's summer palace and taking a trip to a nearby monastery with an amiable Tibetan tour guide. Perhaps the guide will drop her guard and give her a first hand insight into the mysteries of spiritual Tibet and the reality of life under Chinese occupation.
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