Bags are packed for the hot as well as the cold weather. China is hot and Tibet is cold. trying to keep things in just carry on but Jagdish is ending up with a borrowed "medium" suitcase.
I am excited and nervous about the trip. We made cheap reservations meaning changing flights in Vancouver to go to Shanghai. I will let you know how it works but we need to leave home at 5am. Greenie's son has offered to drop all of us at the airport.
Did I mention that Greenie, Don, Anupam and Theresa are travelling with us. It is kind of messed up schedule: Anupam is already in Shanghai, we will get there couple of hours before Theresa but we will all be together at Shanghai airport ( It will all work). Our friends Wei and Michelle have offered to host us in China part ( I still remember the last trip fondly) . This is the best way to see any country. Michelle keeps telling me , " Do not worry, just come and relax" :).
Tibet will be on on our own and will be a big adventure. We will go up to 18,000ft and see the sacred mountains, boat in holy rivers , visit monasteries etc but will keep our mouth shut as we are told to watch what we say and do. Currently Tibet is controlled by China and is a "sensitive" topic.
Speaking of Tibet and Himalayas: A little bit of history is in order. Himalaya were formed millions of years ago when Indian continent slammed into Asia. Since then, these have been home of all sorts of Hindu Gods. Mount Kailash is the home of Shiva and family. Most of the sacred rivers: Ganges, Brahmaputra and others are born here. Indian mythology is full of stories of Gods using Himalayas as their home.work place and for the creation and rule of the world. So, naturally since the birth, this area has been ruled ( and desired) by the kings, dynasties and powers of the time. Buddhist monks brought Buddhism from India in early 200ADs and is practised by it's own version of Buddhism by most Tibetans ( china is trying hard to change it).
For the last part of our trip, we will go down to Xiamen. The island where Greenie was born does not allow any vehicles ( not even bicycles), it will be an adventure....:) I hope to keep the blog going but as you all know Google and related products ( facebook, youtube) are banned in China, so it may be a challenge.
I wil ltry to sleep now, please wish us happy and healthy adventures.
I am excited and nervous about the trip. We made cheap reservations meaning changing flights in Vancouver to go to Shanghai. I will let you know how it works but we need to leave home at 5am. Greenie's son has offered to drop all of us at the airport.
Did I mention that Greenie, Don, Anupam and Theresa are travelling with us. It is kind of messed up schedule: Anupam is already in Shanghai, we will get there couple of hours before Theresa but we will all be together at Shanghai airport ( It will all work). Our friends Wei and Michelle have offered to host us in China part ( I still remember the last trip fondly) . This is the best way to see any country. Michelle keeps telling me , " Do not worry, just come and relax" :).
Tibet will be on on our own and will be a big adventure. We will go up to 18,000ft and see the sacred mountains, boat in holy rivers , visit monasteries etc but will keep our mouth shut as we are told to watch what we say and do. Currently Tibet is controlled by China and is a "sensitive" topic.
Speaking of Tibet and Himalayas: A little bit of history is in order. Himalaya were formed millions of years ago when Indian continent slammed into Asia. Since then, these have been home of all sorts of Hindu Gods. Mount Kailash is the home of Shiva and family. Most of the sacred rivers: Ganges, Brahmaputra and others are born here. Indian mythology is full of stories of Gods using Himalayas as their home.work place and for the creation and rule of the world. So, naturally since the birth, this area has been ruled ( and desired) by the kings, dynasties and powers of the time. Buddhist monks brought Buddhism from India in early 200ADs and is practised by it's own version of Buddhism by most Tibetans ( china is trying hard to change it).
For the last part of our trip, we will go down to Xiamen. The island where Greenie was born does not allow any vehicles ( not even bicycles), it will be an adventure....:) I hope to keep the blog going but as you all know Google and related products ( facebook, youtube) are banned in China, so it may be a challenge.
I wil ltry to sleep now, please wish us happy and healthy adventures.
