Yesterday was wonderful, we did a Kora (Circuit of a sacred building or mountain) of the Jokhang temple, with intentions of going in after..but we got to buying T shirts for the Hot weather, then hunting for a lunch place well remembered from last time we were here.
I bought prayer flags for us to leave at the highest pass on the Kora around Mt. Kailash when we get there.
Today was all I wanted and more. We went into the Jokhang temple and it worked its spell on me again, bringing me to tears with the wonderful atmosphere in these walls. People again lined the walls to pay homage to Buddha in all his images.
I prayed for any past relationships of mine to be healed and for safe passage for us all on our high altitude trek coming up. We went on the roof for a wonderful view of the Potala. We noticed armed soldiers on the roof of an adjacent building. The place is crawling with extra police and military presence. Also Lhasa has changed, there is building going on everywhere. When we reached the lovely cafe which has a roof top area for lunch the view of the Potala was obstructed by new buildings in the way.
I was told by the tour guide to take the Tibet cloth badge of my back pack as it would inflame trouble if a soldier saw it.
We went to the Tibetan arts centre, and a supermarket to top up supplies for the trek. And we now prepare to leave for Shigatse tomorrow on the long journey to Mt. Kailash and one of the most remote locations on the planet.
