Treading in the Footsteps of the Dalai Lama...

Today was my last day in Lhasa before heading out into the mountains towards the Himalayas and Everest. We started the day off by going to the Jokang Monastery, which is one of the most important ones in Tibet. Our guide has given us some very detailed info on the monasteries and with today's visit I am really getting the historical picture of the Tibetan people and their religion. The

monastery was fascinating inside but very plain looking outside. Not allowed to take pictures inside so it is hard to show what they look like. After spending the morning at Jokang, we went for,lunch and then to the biggest tourist attraction being the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace is where the Dalai Lama ruled Tibet before being sent into exile in 1959. The Palace is situated on a hill overlooking the city. The place is 13 stories high with 1000 chapels inside. It has most of the tombs of the preceding Lamas and is an incredibly extravagant place with incredible riches. Some of the tombs have gold measured in tons not ounces. We spent all afternoon in or around the palace. It was very surreal to be walking in the same place as the current Dalai Lama when he was younger. The palace has a mystique and reverence about it which make you sit back and reassess your thoughts about Tibet. Lots of questions yet to be answered on what will happen when the current Dalai Lama dies. Will he be entombed with his predecessors at the Potala Palace or will he be exiled for life and never mentioned or acknowledged. Currently, no one is allowed to talk about him and he is left out of any history conversations. When you ask specific questions you put the guides in a dangerous position so they just tell you they can't answer the question and it is best if you look up the answer yourself. They

have every right to be afraid as there is a constant presence of military patrols with loaded weapons. Checkpoints all over the city and constant surveillance. Have enjoyed Lhasa, but have been quite disturbed at how the Tibetan people seem to live in fear. Leave for Shigatse tomorrow and the mountains. Very excited for that........