Tibet 2006

This series of pictures is a quick overview of my 17 days in Tibet in February of 2006. A wonderful people in a dramatic and stark environment, a true testament to the resiliency and beauty of humanity.

I'm sure they do not tolerate upside down flags anymore.

Update: 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/10/04/this-is-what-happens-when-tibetan-villages-refuse-to-fly-the-chinese-flag/

One of China's creepier policies in the Tibetan Autonomous Region is a 2011 initiative known as the "nine haves." Some of the nine are about development ("to have roads, to have water, to have electricity"), but one is less about helping Tibetans and more about entrenching Beijing's control in a region that doesn't seem to want it: "to have a national flag." Every house and monastery building would be required to fly the crimson, five-starred flag of China. (Monasteries are also required to display portraits of Chinese leaders.) It was to be a show of submission to Chinese rule and a continuation of Tibet's slow cultural dilution.

The rural Tibetan county of Driru, though, has defied the rule, with villagers refusing to fly the flag. On Sept. 27, Chinese authorities responded by sending in "thousands" of Chinese troops to force up the flags, according to Tibetan exile outlets and Radio Free Asia, a U.S. government-backed outlet that's among the few foreign media organizations regularly reporting on Tibet. Now, a week later, Chinese flags are still not flying.

Some Tibetans initially clashed with the troops when they arrived, precipitating a tight security clampdown. "Groups of seven paramilitary policemen have been stationed at each house and are watching the Tibetans,” an unnamed Tibetan local told Radio Free Asia. “Villagers are not being allowed to tend to their animals, and any Tibetan found loitering in the town is being taken away."

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 One of the first things that the Chinese government ensures is available for usage on the new electric grid is TV, which is only in Chinese, although it is a second language for the locals. Out in the countryside one would see electric lines to villages and a broadcasting tower dominating the valley. I did not see one Tibetan language TV program when I was there, but I did see Disney's the Fox and the Hound dubbed in Chinese. The Tibetans loved it; there were close to a dozen of them huddled around one of the few TV sets in the village watching.

Chinese Propaganda; Tibet rejoices the opening of the superfluous on-ramps. The objective of the Chinese government is to transform Tibet into a Chinese speaking prefecture. After I left, the government forbid the Tibetan language in the schools. 

"Yes, your sides of yak are on their way commander."

Typical Tibetan roof in the countryside

The jagged tooth that is Everest; peak on the left

Woodcarver and cabinet maker on the Barkor

Kora inside the Jokhang

Compassion for all sentient beings is paramount

Kora kids

A friendly monk who invited me to his room for a visit

Chinese informational poster; misshapen monk heads learning from the wise committee man with their friend the army officer

Countryside kids

Pango Chorten, Gyantse

Turquoise swastika inlaid into the threshold of one of the most significant temple rooms in Buddhism @ Tashilhunpo Monastery; swastika is an ancient symbol "to be good" a symbol of auspiciousness; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika for a primer;

I could go for some of that yak butter tea right about now; along with more of her joyous energy

I was was scampering around the mountain next to a monastery when this boy and his brother, who were also playing on the mountain, invited me back to their house for some yak tea, tsampa and a game of cards with their parents.

Roof of the Jokhang

Chinese vision of Tibet portrayed in one of their propaganda posters; levitating highways; glass office buildings and a bullet train