Teaching and Learning in Nanjing: Tibet

Tibet is a region governed by China. Before we went to Tibet, we were told about the symptoms of being at high altitudes, shortness of breath and headaches, to name two. One of our Chinese friends obtained a prescription for us to take before our journey that was supposed to lessen the symptoms. With our experience living at what we thought we high altitudes in the Mountain West and our Chinese prescription, we flew to Lhasa the capital of Tibet, whose elevation is over 11,000 feet. The prescription and experience were no match for altitudes that in some areas where we traveled exceeded 15,000 feet.

We are standing in front of one of the most sacred places for Buddhists, the largest Buddhist temple in Lhasa. Many people who had made a pilgrimage to to this site were walking around and around the temple when we arrived. Many brought offering for the temple, including yak butter that was fuel for candle-like light in the temple.

It is probably difficult to overestimate the significance of the temple at Lhasa to many who worship there.

This view gives a better idea of the size and complexity of the structure. We are standing in a large square. While we were there, two soldiers asked to have their picture taken with me. This was a real surprise because everywhere we have been in China we have not been allowed to take pictures of the military.

Tibetan women that we saw were in there traditional dress. The men often wore western clothes.

We saw many yaks along the way. We had yak to eat and it tastes like beef.

Here it is! Mount Everest on the Tibetan side. It is a breathtaking view, literally. Altitude symptoms are real. I had shortness of breath and Marilyn had headaches. But all that we saw and experienced eclipsed a little discomfort.