Early Winter in Tibet (Part 8: Back to Lhasa)
In a rush the next day, we set off again before daybreak! QUEENY was very talkative, recounting her experiences abroad—her stories left us with so many feelings!
Along the way, at Brother Liu's suggestion, we visited an ordinary Tibetan family's home. There was no water source nearby, and the family of seven or eight crowded into a tent pitched on a hillside a few hundred meters from the road.
The living conditions were very basic. The tent floor had nothing laid down—just the natural wild grass. In the center, an earthen stove kept burning, with a large pot of stew simmering on top. The family spanned three generations, none of whom spoke Chinese. They were all cheerful, probably not burdened by many worries, and were very friendly to us.
After looking around, we quickly became intrigued by a cylindrical object. It looked quite exquisite, bound with strips of copper, about ten centimeters in diameter and over a meter long, with a plunger inside. Brother Liu said this was for churning butter tea. He picked it up to demonstrate, but his technique was rather clumsy, splashing water everywhere, which drew a burst of laughter.
The eldest grandfather in the family must have been caught up in the mood, because he picked up a prayer wheel and went outside, willingly striking poses for us to photograph. Such a lovely old man!
These sporadic encounters with the herders over the past few days have left a deep impression on me. In our eyes, these nomads live a very tough life, but perhaps because of the power of their faith, they are generally very content. Yet, the cultural differences between Tibetans and Han in the cities have always been stark.
By midday we were back in Lhasa. Gazing at the Potala Palace from afar, it felt like seeing an old friend—we were back!
Our afternoon was packed: we had to buy local specialties and souvenirs, get return tickets, and go to the bank to withdraw money and close the account. To save time, Da Juan and I divided up the tasks.
Back at the hotel, we realized all our travel bags were stuffed to the brim—I could barely lift mine! Brother Liu had originally suggested we go see a local ethnic performance in the evening. It was said to be lively, and you could even go on stage and dance with the performers. But we were just too tired to be in the mood. AQUA and QUEENY would stay a few more days, with plenty of time to enjoy themselves even more fully!
November 2nd, our last day in Lhasa. While it was still dark, we took a taxi to the station. Reflecting on the past few days, I felt so content! This season is perfect for travel, and we found the right car and the right companions. The whole journey was easygoing and full of pleasant surprises! For the small regrets, I hope we'll have a chance to return and make up for them someday.
Before, such grand landscapes were something we could only see on TV. How lucky I am to have experienced them firsthand! Recalling that breathtaking morning at Namtso still feels like yesterday. If we ever have another chance to see those snowy mountains and vast waters, Da Juan and I will remember the joy of that moment once again and say with excitement: That most beautiful place—we've been there!
