Greetings from Labrang!

Where I have just had a huge breakfast of coffee, orange juice, two scrambled eggs, toast, butter, jam and yoghurt with honey for the mighty sum of about three dollars.

We left Mahlo yesterday, me sad as always to go. The drive to Labrang took about four hours with our poor busdriver having the embarrasment of the gear box dropping out only ten minutes from the town!

Labrang is the biggest monastery in Amdo, and hence the most important, and the town that has grown up around it is noisy, busy and very like Mcleodganj, just no monkeys. We had about 2 hours of shopping time yesterday and I think everyone opened that shopping chakra! Today we visit the monastery, walk the 3 kilomtre kora and then go on to Rebkong where we stay for three days.

The drive here was nothing less than spectacular. The creator was having a good day when she painted this landscape. Whatever else happens to me in this life, I have seen the nomads herding their yaks and sheep on the high plateaus of Tibet.

Internet has been problematic, Mahlo has been difficult in some aspects too, mostly to do with the group not the town or the people. We are the largest group of Westerners ever to visit and the biggest group for the last two years. One of the American girls had her birthday on our last day, so we took over the little bar and had a party which was fun. Some of these boys have got the moves with the hip hop, amazing! Me? Can't see the point of spinning around the floor on my bum!

The momo count is down at the moment, but will make up for it in Rebkong :)

Floods, for those who are asking, in the province next to where we are. We have had lots of rain and subsequent road problems but that's all. There was a national day of mourning two days ago for the flood victims.

I love the dogs in Mahlo (well, everything about Mahlo really), not so many as India or Nepal, but very suave and smart. There is one set of traffic lights, which no-one pays any attention to, but they have worked them out, smater than the odd run away yak, they just charge on through. But then so do the taxis! There is one dog with the biggest underbite, his teeth nearly go up his nose. I asked him if I could take his picture, he posed nicely and when I thanked him, wagged his tail and then went on his way.

We must have treated hundreds of people at Dr Nida's mothers house. He can't go anywhere here without being mobbed. It's impressive what you can do with some cotton wool, a bottle of alcohol, some lances and a few accupunture needles. We had three cups until someone found two more, but then one got broken, so...

Well, I have to go and get ready for this long kora, walk off the breakfast! Not sure when another internet window will open, hopefully in Rebkong if things are more settled.

Dr NIda's sister, who I had dinner with on the last night said my Tibetan was quite good, so it must be getting better! xxx to all

Comments

[prs]

So now it's Ms Labrang? Good to hear you made it safe and sound, BYO monkey's, no problem. Leo would be jealous about you flirting with the locals! It has been exciting reading your exerts, never know what is coming up next, should have had Morris with you to fix the car, bush mechanics would be good. Still cold here, maybe snow before the end of the week. Miss you...take care...not too many Momo's
love ya
PRS

[Alex]

Sounds like a real tasty breakfast. Despite the obvious lack of momos of course.

I like that you asked the strange poochie for permision to photograph it. You're a funny duck you are.

Glad you're having fun.
Miss you, love you lots xoxox