The place of the Gods ?
Trip Start
Apr 04, 2004
1
14
34
Trip End
Jun 07, 2004
Lhasa,
Tibet,
China
Friday, May 21, 2004
21st May 2004
Originally known as Rasa, Lhasa translates as place of the Gods. It is one of the highest cities on this planet at an altitude of 3,650 meters. Prior to 1950, Lhasa was the highest national capital city in the world surpassing La Paz in Bolivia. Lhasa is no longer a capital city, because as we know...
I am up about 7am and shoot round to the Noah for a quick roll in the hay. Mister Chen organises a taxi and completes whatever formalities he needs to on my behalf. I am ushered through to the airy departure lounge with a large group of German pensioners. We sit looking directly onto the tarmac through big windows until a China South West Airlines jet appears before us
1. The flying Goose
. After boarding flight CZ3417 via standard trolley-ladders, I am pleased to begin a breakfast of sausage sandwiches.At Lhasa airport I queue for the bus into Lhasa downtown which I know to be several hours away. There is a cocky young taxi tout rhyming the words "taxi taxi. No buss-ie" like a complete moron. I point at the large vehicle in front of me "Look, dick head, it's a buss-ie !" Some time later, the city of Lhasa looks positively grim to be honest.
A long sprawl of dilapidated shop houses on broken pavements crammed with glut of greasy Asians from afar. Congestion and confusion. And huge neon signs in Chinese. Caked in dirt with ugly wiring dangling everywhere. I check into the Kirey Hotel about 3pm. All the hotels look to be about the same no-stars standard. This one has a pleasant bar and restaurant - the Tashi 2. 'Bobi breads' are handled much the same as Mexican fajitas. Rolled up with sour cream and strips of delicious stir fried chicken or beef. Causing my mood-o-meter to swing right back into the happy zone. The dorm room I have been assigned contains only Japanese people. They are up until very late smoking dope. This place isn't so bad after all.
Next ; The Lhasa classifieds
