Hello from 10,200 feet and the lower portion of what used to be Tibet. We will not be able to make it up to Tibet proper and the capital city of Lhasa, but we’re here in the remote town of Shangri-La.
Shangri-La is the name China gave to this Tibetan village which was originally named Gyalthang. It’s pretty high up and the air is thin. We’ve had trouble walking around and climbing steps but it’s generally no problem.
We’ve covered many miles on this trip so far since we left Atlanta, landed in Korea for a second, and then finally touched down in Beijing. Then there was that 24 hour train ride to the south of China and we’ve been making our way through small towns ever since then, inching closer to Tibet. But it looks like this will be as far north as we’ll be able to go. Shangri-La itself was off limits to foreigners until earlier this week so we’re lucky to even get this far.
It’s cold here too. We’ve experienced some variations in weather that we weren’t expecting. From the hot and humid air of Yangshuo (which made it really seem like we were in Vietnam and not just north of the country) to up here where we broke down and bought some North Face jackets - for around $30.00 US each. Yes. Obviously there is the risk that they’re fake - but ya know what? $30 for a fake jacket that keeps me warm is still better than the $175 and up for the real thing. So we’re happy about that.
The hostel that we’re staying at here in town is actually quite amazing. It’s honestly one of the more expensive ones at $24 a night, but hey, we thought we’d splurge - AND this one has a heater in the room so yeah. It’s like we’re fancy this time around. Although we’ll admit that we have definitely been very lucky as far as the hostels that we’ve stayed at on this trip.
Tomorrow we’re visiting several of the major monasteries in the area and then the next day we’re hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge - it should be quite amazing and hopefully it won’t rain - because then it would be a seriously deadly hike and suppose that dying is something we’re trying to avoid on this trip. Especially since I have some more work to do.
These few weeks have made me think about my life back in Atlanta, nothing particularly good or bad, just the differences between life here and there - and how it could be in both places. I admit, both are great lives and each has its own benefits, but having traveled even for this short period, it’s been interesting to think about some things. However, Leah’s got grad school coming up so we’re in Atlanta for the next few years indefinitely - until we change our minds of course.
Shangri-La isn’t anywhere close to what it should be. The old town quarter doesn’t come close to Lijiang and rest of the city is like any other city in China. We’re staying here an extra night but mostly to slow down for a second since the pace we’ve been going at was a little fast - faster than we needed to go - because traveling should not always be conducted as if you’re trying to binge. Americans in particular have ‘binge’ vacations all the time - requiring a vacation from their vacation.
Life is both hard and easy - you just have to be willing to overcome the obstacles that come with making your life easier sometimes - and then get back to work ’cause the world is gonna keep going with or without your help - but it can be better with your help.
Goodnight.
