Blog

We covered many miles since May 25 and the camp by the river. I want to fill them in because the scenery was varied. Day 8 - May 26 We are in the Chang Tang Reserve! The wind is blowing so hard it moves my tennis shoes inside the tent, which is rather dicey because I have a can of pop sitting in one shoe. And it's a … [Read more...] about Many Miles

Even at the time, I didn't think my photos of the Himalayas would be adequate. And, though it's hard to miss their grandeur, I couldn't quite get the feeling of standing across from the mountain that has captured the attention of so many climbers. I remember feeling very small and quite overwhelmed, almost puzzled that … [Read more...] about Standing Across From Everest

Day 5 - May 22, 2006 Writing about this trip, like photographing, is in some ways limiting. It is hard to get around such an overwhelming experience. And to pick out a few things to write about leaves out so much. First--physical assessment. No headache. I wonder if part of it is lack of caffeine. No chest pains. I … [Read more...] about Getting on the Road

At the risk of seeming like one of those people who trap guests in the living room for hours at a time to show slides of recent travels, I do want to take you to the Barkhur Market and the Sera Monastery in Lhasa for just a bit. The Barkhur Market is too much to take in in one stay. Stalls upon stalls of fruits, … [Read more...] about Day in Lhasa, part 2

May 21 [in Lhasa] Altitude headache, slowed, slowed responses, and if I move too fast or even walk upstairs a general bodily feeling that I've just done a bad. But it's worth it. The mountains are incredible. They look like eternity. And I can see Potala from my room. I'm eager for this day. We will go to the outside … [Read more...] about A Day in Lhasa, Part 1

Six years ago today I flew to Chicago from Cedar Rapids. I was such a new international traveler that I had never been to the international terminal in O'Hare. My first worry was could I find it. I did find it--and was on my way. I have been thinking this spring that it would be fun to get out my journal and re-visit … [Read more...] about Re-visiting My Visit to Tibet