Ummm .... about that cold weather ..... We awoke to a bitter wind that drove temperatures downward in a free fall. We ate breakfast with every layer of clothing possible. As we ate, we looked into the open courtyard of the hotel to see snow falling. We did not have a thermometer, but I estimated the temperature to be around 0, due to a wind chill.
We walked around the huge temple complex of Jokhang. It is impressive and sits in the middle of the old town. The streets are lined with shops, most of which sells the usual souvenirs. In the streets and main square in front of the temple, many of the faithful were doing agonizing devotions on hands and knees, going around the main temple building, bowing, prostrating themselves, chanting and praying. Their devotions stood in stark contrast to the open commercialism of the shops and shopkeepers. The devotions all seemed honest and also stood in stark contrast to the beauty pageant atmosphere we saw earlier in Kathmandu with the "living goddess" of the Kumari.
The rest of the day was spent trying to survive the cold. It was not easy because the cold was pervasive and got inside us. Our hotel was not heated, so there was no warmth to go back to. Eventually, the wind died down and we were able to find a Laundromat and get some much needed laundry done. Then, in the evening, a pleasant dinner was enjoyed at a local restaurant. Despite the cold, two positive things stand out about Lhasa: it is a clean and orderly place with little garbage: and the old part of town has little or no English anywhere. We really are a long way from home!
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| Jokhang Temple courtyard |
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| First view of Potala Palace |
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