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 by mavl
it was always great to see different kinds of people from all over the world hunched over the computers inside this internet cafe. when passing by (i wasn't peeking!), you'll just be able to notice that practically everone is logged onto yahoo - thing is, each computer has the yahoo homepage in a different language! amazing!
i just found this so cool. here we are at the top of the world and everybody is reporting back to their corner of the globe in their respective languages - and i'm sure we're all saying the same thing, tibet is awesome!
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 My very first yak! I was
so excited to see it too by Confucius,
4 more photos
In Lhasa restaurants, the word beef (niu rou) means "yak meat" whether you're in a Tibetan, Sichuan, or Shanghai style restaurant. It's nearly impossible to get ordinary cow meat, what people outside of Tibet normally consider as "beef" in Lhasa.
If you get tired of yak meat, there are plenty of non-Tibetan restaurants in Lhasa but unfortunately the overwhelming majority of these are Sichuan style. So if you don't like spicy food then there are only a few choices left. I ended up going to the same "Hangzhou Xiao Long Bao" cafe every night over on Beijing Zhong Lu because I could not find any other decent alternatives for dinner.
One of my fondest memories of Lhasa was enjoying the traditional "yak dance", a performance by two Tibetan boys inside of a yak costume which is often done when greeting guests. (see additional photo) Leave a Comment
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 by mavl
they will also contain tour offers from local tour companies and guides - the informal kind anyway.
they may even contain notices of items for sale such as used backpacks, hiking boots, etc.
whatever the case, these boards are worth checking out. it's a good way of getting info that might turn out to be valuable.
the board in the photo is from the lobby of snowlands hotel, just a few establishments down from the barkhor along mentsikhang lam road.
it may also contain a lot of funny stuff! i remember one note looking for a left hiking sandal, size 9 - just the left! hope for the guy's sake that he found it!
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 I got this lady while she
was praying; easy prey?? by Confucius,
3 more photos
I took pictures of topless Tibetan women bathing in the Lhasa River and monks in the midst of prayer, however I was careful to take only tasteful portraits that I would not hesitate to show my mum. Only once did I succumb to the begging hand of a Tibetan who sought payment for her picture. I got so many good portrait shots at Barkhor Bazaar that I resisted the urge to photograph Tibetans who sat near me on a public bus or who I encountered during other non-tourist activities. (See my Barkhor Bazaar travelogue for more photo tips)
One of my favorite photos is of this old Tibetan woman at Sera Monastery. You will see elderly people in Tibet who look like they are 100 years old. I like how she has her hair in long braids and the look of devotion on her face during prayer. There was no way I was going to ask permission to take this photo, but I think Tibetans in Lhasa are used to tourists taking their photos. She ignored my presence, and I got this great photo as a result.
Of course not all Tibetans will ignore you. The ones who walk by you in front of the Potala might ask for money, but I also saw Tibetans who cheerfully posed with tourists there without any request to be paid. Use your best judgement and try to avoid the money trap. I think there are enough Tibetans who don't mind being photographed and when you combine this lot with those who aren't even aware that you zoomed in for their portrait then you'll have plenty of pictures for your collection. Leave a Comment
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It is really worth visiting the Barkhor Square first thing in the morning, the atmosphere really is magical! There are many more pilgrims than any other time of day, and also many of the devotees will light fires in specially constructed ovens in order to create a misty effect. And the result is surreal. It has to be seen to be believed. Leave a Comment
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 by Andrew_VodoLeave a Comment
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 View from our bedroom window by gretsLeave a Comment
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One way to amuse yourself during a bus tour of Lhasa is by counting the number of Budweiser signs. The American beer company sponsors signs for restaurants and bars in Lhasa, so you'll see Budweiser's logo everywhere in town including a big billboard behind the huge bronze yak statue on Beijing Boulevard.
I also saw an outdoor "Hall of Budweiser" at the Dalai Lama's summer palace (Norbulinka), perhaps used for wedding parties and other cheerful gatherings.
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In Lhasa the lamas say "Cheers"
when they drink their Budweiser beers
One might mistake monks
for mischievous punks
when burps are all a tourist hears!
******************************** Leave a Comment
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 Lhasa Bank of China ATM by MikeySoft
They say a Bank of China ATM is on the east side of the potala square on khamadong lam (kangang donglu) but I never found it.
If you use a US debit card, you should call your bank before you leave to let them know you will be using it overseas. Otherwise, they may not allow you to use it in China. The same for credit cards.
Please rate this and my other tips when you find them useful. Leave a Comment
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 rainclowds over the Jokhang by tomptLeave a Comment
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