Beadweaver Studio

The Tsangpo (Sang-Po)

The highest river in the world - comprised of glacier melt - the Tsangpo provides a significant amount of water to the subcontinent of India and China. The Chinese are effectively damming the Tsangpo to redirect the water to China and depriving India of a much needed resource. The battle for water is fierce and reforestation with cottonwoods (another important Tibetan resource) is an ongoing challenge.

On The Road

The highway from Lhasa.

Mustard Fields

Beautiful mustard fields at 15,000 feet.

Motorized Travel

In the farming villages, old tractors are often converted to cars for transportation.

Horse Drawn Buggy

Another form of transportation for rural Tibetans. Gyantse, Tibet.

Tibetan Homestead

Typical Tibetan homestead. They are usually one room homes with a large courtyard. Animals are kept both in the courtyard and in the house for safety.

Breakfast

This herding family hiked up from the valley floor in the early morning and stopped for breakfast.

The Castle at Shigatse

17,000 feet and an extra dose of Diamox (125 mg).

Potala Palace, Bicycles, and Cell Phones

I shot this image as a Chinese man, talking on a cell phone, rode across my path. I loved the juxtaposition of the old and new. The palace in the back is the Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet.

Potala Roof

The gilded roof of the Potala Palace is decorated with animals and spirits to protect the structure.

Walkway

Elders

The white coat signifies that the gentleman has reached the age of 80 and is to be given the highest of respect. On the back of his coat was the symbol: the knot of eternity.

Spinning Wheels

The Prayer Wheels are filled with prayers and spinning them results in the prayer to be "spoken" by the wheel and carried by the wind. Repetition of prayers helps to ensure good fortune. Prayer wheels are always spun clockwise.

Sera Seranade

Young school girls play and sing at the Sera monastery.

Prayers

Pilgrims can purchase special prayer "stones" (offerings) made of clay to ask for specific needs. These are left at the alter.

Kumbum Buddha

Flour sculptures are sacred offerings for the Buddha at the Kumbum.

Two Bulbs - No Flash

Electricity is uncommon. Two lone bulbs hang from the ceiling to help illuminate the interior of Samye monastery.

Clerestory

Offering cups filled with Yak butter are prepared for burning and prayer. The light from the clerestory - a high embankment of windows - provides daylight inside the temples. Samye Monastery.

Health Ceremony

Ground up powders of herbs and turquoise are made into pills that are given for good health. The Buddhist pilgrim believes that the turquoise protects - and deflects thunderbolts (deadly piercing energy) from evil spirits.

Water for Monk's Tea

Yak Butter Tea is a main staple of the Tibetan and Monk's diet. Here a Monk gathers water for boiling tea and cooking outside the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.