Back in 2001, I had an amazing journey through the sometimes off-limits-to-foreigners region of the Tibetan Plateau in Szechuan Province in Western China near the town of Aba. I thought I had written a story about it, but after looking all over while collecting material for my book, I couldn’t find anything other than the photos. But the images and memories I have from there are well worth sharing, so here ya go (click any image to expand it to full size and hit the browser’s back arrow to return here) :
Section One: On the road from Guizhou to Aba
Chinese students sharing a pickup ride with me
Nature calling (from the window of a bus)
What happens when you overload a truck and drive down rough roads too fast. No idea how he was going to get it back upright as this was in the middle of NOWHERE.
Surprising Swiss-chalet-like construction country houses. While common in a tiny little area here, I haven’t seen anything like it elsewhere in China.
Young monks playing with a cart. I love the exuberant joy on their faces. Makes me smile every time I see it.
Many people say that Tibetan culture is better preserved here in this site of important pilgrimages than it is in Tibet proper.
Aba monk living quarters from above
Pilgrims turning prayer wheels
Young monks in training
Monks preparing for a meditation ceremony
Monks preparing for a meditation ceremony
Prostrating is an important rite for many. They lay out flat, pray, rise to their feet, pray, take one step and repeat–for MILES. Many wear paddles on their hands and knee pads to reduce the wear on their body.
This welcoming monk invited me to his house for yak butter tea. (I’m sorry, but that stuff is horrible! –but I did drink it politely)
Seriously, what’s more fun than playing in a mud puddle?
Unique local house construction style
Street person trying to pick up one last thing
Cute ladies waiting for the bus
A Sky Burial site. Corpses are placed in the open in these locations and vultures “carry them off to heaven”.
Working the field with yaks
Cool part of the world, huh?
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The sky burial photo struck me. I think there’s something noble in that. You know – the whole ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ thing…