Our last night in Lhasa

Previous page - The Sera Monastery

 

Jeremy and Tiki go shoe shopping

Because shopping is cheaper here than in Australia Jeremy decided he would like to buy himself some new black shoes. He had a wedding to attend the very same day we were getting back home to Australia and he thought he really should have some new shoes for the wedding.

Tiki agreed to go with him to find a shoe shop. She was a very kind girl. So after getting back from the Sera Monastery the two of them set off shopping. Nearly two hours later they returned. Jeremy said they went to about 20 shops but virtually all the shoes were way too small for his feet. He finally got a nice pair for 200 Yuan (about $30 AUD).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Jeremy got back Ian and I shot out to find a present for our neighbour who had been collecting our mail whilst we were away. I don’t know how we could have forgotten to buy something earlier.

We took a few photos of unusual things - well, they would be considered unusual where we come from anyway!

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst out, we sneaked a photo of soldiers up on a roof top and on of the pair of soldiers who daily guard the vegetable stalls with fire extinguishers and buckets of water.

Apologies for the poor pictures. We didn't want to be seen by the soldiers. Photographing them is most definitely not allowed.

 

 

 

We find a hair drier to borrow

When we arrived back in the lobby we came across the Swiss couple who were leaving Tibet the next day. The lady was returning a borrowed hair drier to reception. I was astounded that reception had such an item to loan out. My hair has looked awful throughout our holiday because it never got blow dried. At no stage did it ever occur to me to ask any hotel reception desk if they had them to loan to guests. I should have asked at other hotels. I might have been pleasantly surprised.

 

Children on the streets

Later we set off from the hotel in search of dinner. Along the way we again commented on how so many little children are on the streets when it is dark. I think they are shop owner’s/worker’s children. Some really are little tots. Some were being supervised and some seemed to be looking after themselves. It seemed such an unhealthy place for toddlers to be. Watching littlies sitting on the filthy pavement and patting the ground horrified us.

We also found a couple of women who were prostrating themselves along the pavement, moving forward a few inches each time as they went.

During the day we had asked Tiki about school hours. She told us that infant school begins at 3:30 p.m. here so no wonder we were seeing parents collecting their off-spring at 8:45 p.m. last night.

 

Back to the Third Eye Restaurant

We couldn’t resist going back to the Third Eye again. As expected we had a wonderful meal. Ian had tomato soup and spaghetti bolognese, Jeremy had roast chicken and I had my favourite – yak burger.

 

The mattress saga

Back at the hotel we were told we had been given another replacement mattress after my second complaint. No one has slept on it yet but just by sitting on it I can say it feels no different to the others. Complaining has been a waste of time. I may as well have been banging my head against a brick wall. This really has been the hotel with the worst service. Considering there is hardly anyone staying here, it makes the service seem even worse.

 

Next page - The long journey home

 

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