Lhasa part 3

Sera Monastery


The Sera Monastery was small and nothing can compare to the Potala. It did have an area where children were blessed and given a dark mark on their nose to protect them from diseases. Locals on the steps of Sera Monastery





After the Monastery I got some of my photos developed to take to the Tibetan family I meet the day before.I meet up with my guide who told me how to go to the Ganden Monastery the next morning and wrote it down for me in Tibetan.


After I got my photos developed I headed off to see the family at the Drepung Monastery.On the walk up the hill i made friends with some more Tibetans which made the long, uphill walk easier. I still can not believe how friendly and helpful the local Tibetans where to me.

I reached the restaurant and was greeted by the girls yelling with excitement. I gave them the pictures and they were over joyed. I don't know if they have even had photos of themselves. The 13 year old had written me a letter in English. It said something a long the lines of " I am worried with more buses, jeeps and trains coming to Tibet that the songs of the village will change." I found it so insightful from someone so young. Tibet is changing and it will never be the same again. I think with the Olympic games in Beijing next year the government will not be able to control who can travel to Tibet like they do know and everything will change. The train alone has increased the tourism.



My photos on the family restaurant wall.

I spent the afternoon playing with the girls. When I had to leave they all started to cry and it was really hard to say good bye. I got the address of the local school {as they had no means to receive mail any other way.} so I could write to them but I am not sure if they will really get the letters. But all you can do is try.
My adopted Tibetan family

The 13 and 21 year old walked me down to the bus stop. And with hugs all round I left.

The girls before I left

Back at the hostel I meet up with a girl from Norway and we went to the Vegetarian House. The food was really nice and it was a great change to not have your food covered in oil. After dinner I meet up with Lee, the American journalist. He had just gotten back from interviewing the Canadian owner of the pub we went to the other night. He told me how the Chinese government were always making it hard for the pub by inventing new laws about the colour of window curtains and other silly things. It sounded like they were playing fine monthly.

Lee and the dutch girls had sent the afternoon at Sera Monastery. Lee had a massive crush on Natalie Portman and they had seen her at the Monastery. Lee was upset at himself for not talking to her. One of the Dutch girls said they didn't recognize her and thought she was a 12 year old girl.Hahaha!

That night Lee and I went out with his mates who had just arrived in Lhasa. Three of them were English {Will, Martyn and Xavier } and one was Israeli {Mel}. Lee and I went out to dinner with Mel and Will. Yes my second dinner for the night! The night was great fun, filled with discussions about politics and how to save the world.