The travel magazine with History

feb 14 2011 In the bowels of the Potala

For: Ricardo Coarasa

Top of the buttresses that support the Potala to plunge into the heart of the former winter palace of the Dalai Lama is like crossing the drawbridge of one of those castles of Amadis of Gaul that lit the holy madness of Don Quixote our universal.

Through the Himalayas, Asia, Blogs VaP, In a strange land

feb 07 2011 Norbulingka: the “driving school” The Dalai Lama

For: Ricardo Coarasa

Norbulingka: la “autoescuela” del Dalai Lama

The summer palace of the highest spiritual authority of Buddhism, the "Jewel Park", is the antithesis of the city-fortress of the Potala. In the walled garden outside the current Dalai Lama Lhasa, Tenzin Gyatso, learned to drive in two and a Dodge Austin as his predecessor did bring in pieces across the Himalayas to the astonishment of people who lived at anchor in the Middle Ages.

Through the Himalayas, Asia, Blogs VaP, In a strange land

Jan 24 2011 Will: Burials “heavenly” and child-lama Spanish

For: Ricardo Coarasa

Sera: entierros “celestiales” y el niño-lama español

The monk said a cliff above 4.000 meters, east of Sera monastery, where there is evident a rustic stone house. Tibetans, account, carry their dead at dawn to solitary cliffs like this to butcher them with an ax. The vultures and crows do the rest. In the land of no snow cemeteries.

Through the Himalayas, Asia, Blogs VaP, In a strange land

Jan 17 2011 The world's cheapest menu

For: Ricardo Coarasa (text and photos)

Travel to Tibet and do not visit a Buddhist monastery is like being in Port Aventura and not the Dragon Khan ride or go to 'Lucio' for the first time and not asking about broken eggs. The advantage of a few days in Lhasa before entering the Himalayas, as well as gradually acclimate to the altitude, that makes no nonsense- is that in the vicinity of the capital of Tibet is located three of the most important: Drepung, Will there Ganden.

Through the Himalayas, Blogs VaP, In a strange land

Jan 10 2011 The birthday party is not Tibet
For: Ricardo Coarasa (text and photos)

The Chinese effort to celebrate in style on the establishment of the Lhasa Tibet Autonomous Region is, for the native population, something like the non-birthday of Alice in Wonderland. Pure paradox: a party where balloons only (Chinas banderolas, floats, an imposing stand in front of the Potala, slogans everywhere) and a cake with candles without blowing.

Through the Himalayas, Asia, In a strange land

December 27 2010 The odyssey of the toilet in Lhasa
For: Ricardo Coarasa (text and photos)

At a glance, first thing that strikes is that the Barkhor kora is, while spiritual journey, a succession of street stalls, something like "golden mile" of Lhasa. A few feet of the pilgrims who wear their rosaries, of the monks who kneel extending his arms on the bare ground, merchants trading with tourists the price of souvenirs.

Through the Himalayas, Asia, Blogs VaP, In a strange land

December 20 2010 The “Corte Ingles” Forbidden City
For: Ricardo Coarasa (text and photos)

El “Corte Inglés” de la Ciudad Prohibida

The soul of a city lurks sometimes capriciously. The traveler may pass by without noticing it and, condemned as being a fugitive stays, wrong conclusions.