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. Lhasa, true, has been gaining by leaps and bounds, China since the outbreak, makings of a modern metropolis, but the soul of the old Forbidden City of Buddhism can still be seen in Tibetan area, that stuck living around Jokhang, spiritual encouragement, Buddhist jewel built in the first half of the seventh century. The option, as, is clear. Nothing more to set foot in Lhasa we went for a walk to Barkhor Square, the vast plaza designed by the Chinese authorities 1985 where before dozens of homes are mottled stone and wood Tibetan. This is a neighborhood of labyrinthine alleys, where the meat is piled on the street on the tables, of odors that have turned the stomach and ragged children to embrace our legs, I do not know if begging alms or trying to collect themselves.
On any trip, and depending on who you encounter, Raisin adventurous tourist from Inserso, and vice versa, based on the experiences that you have.
Before arriving, and to reflect that the world is a matchbox, we met a couple from Madrid who travels with her daughter. The exchange of experiences is inevitable. Part of an organized group that is completing a tour of China. Are surprised that we go to our air and our plans to reach Everest Base Camp, and Rongbuk. On any trip, and depending on who you encounter, Raisin adventurous tourist from Inserso, and vice versa, based on the experiences that you have, but do not belittle yours or polishing, as.
Barkhor Square is full of trading posts, as if this were "The English Court of Lhasa". In front of us, the Jokhang dazzling stands, intact with the aura of places anointed by the flame of spirituality. Now closed and we are left with the desire to enter visit.
The kora, Prayer circuit that surrounds the sacred places of Buddhism, is a swarm of pilgrims whispering their mantras (the ubiquitous “Om Mani Padme Hum”, literally: "The Jewel that is in the Lotus") and do not stop moving their prayer wheels spreading their prayers to the wind. The traveler who is confused by the flood of the faithful must take account of a first standard sacrosanct: The kora is always travels in the direction of clockwise, from left to right. There is nothing more shocking than seeing the typical tourist guide absorbed in or absorbed in the lens of his camera walking in the opposite direction under the inquisitive eyes of the pilgrims. As the saying goes, When in Rome do as the Romans, clear that it is necessary to see, besides watching.
