Tibet/Lhasa
You don't just go to Tibet. You apply to get a guide and permit. I thought this was part of the "aren't you special" campaign for this area (notice Obama didn't get to go there). But I was wrong, this is the "let China assign you a sitter to make sure you don't act up or do anything to silly and embarrass"...hey maybe not to embarrass Obama, Nah- more likely not to embarrass yourself.
Our guide was a Tibetan and actually one of the nicest people we met in China. Patient, Calm,Controlled and always ready to talk to us.
Some topics were forbidden, so as not to get our guide in any trouble, we just didn't ask the unmentionable questions...like why can't the Dalia Llama come here? Why can't we even bring a book in about the Dalia Llama? Why do the Chinese military , who are in riot gear and armed to the teeth with scary weapons line the roof and march around like the gestapos in Lhasa? Why does it appear that the Tibetans are treated as second class citizens in there own homeland? Why were we treated differently than in "mainland china", (autonomous area not included)? In main china they treat you very nice and are glad you are seeing there country, In Tibet the Chinese treat you like an intruder who is meant to be yelled at-Yes we got yelled at!
So we just got away from Lhasa and headed to the country side, We ate yak, -yak burgers, yak soup, yak with veggies, Yak curry and many other which we won't yak about. Paul and Sue rode a yak..( We are going to develop that story into a yak race but this is still in the works)
The glacier area was interesting and we seen enough monasteries to last us a life time. Overall it was one of the most unusual areas I have ever been.
A note about monastry, WATCH OUT FOR VERY RELIGIOUS BUDDHISTS!,while exiting one famous monastriy we were overrun by fanatic religious prayer people who needed to get in so bad the came at us like the hoardes taking the great wall. Pushing me and a little lady aside, Sue saving tiny tibetan women with a child. Our guide yelling (ok talking calmly) to the police to save me. Eventually I was grabbed by security and dragged through the door. Sue saved the small baby and mom! Paul got in panic (save the wife mode)mode and began yelling excuse me as he pushed he religouis folk aside. I think Rc was taking pictures...he was in the back awaiting an opening to catch up with us....adventures with the Arciaga's must include at least one police action (Remember Red Square-the Arciagas get taking by police then have to pay the "mordita"(bribe) to walk free)
The Altitude is an issue, take the pills! Even then we walked slowly to keep our breathing normally.
Oh lastly, they don't have heat in the dining areas, lobbies, corridors and on one occasion our room! It is cold -3C or so take warm clothes if you venture this way.
