Day 7 - Lhasa - my hotel bathroom.

I've been to many places in the world and this was a first for me. And really, maybe that's the truly surprising thing that this was a first. Although it's difficult to make out in the photo, perched on the back of the toilet are a couple of condoms for sale. I think they were around a quarter a piece. Every time I saw them, I thought, "Really? Tibet is the first place I've been in the world where they're selling condoms from the back of the hotel toilet? Tibet?!?"

Day 7 - Lhasa

The open air market is such a wonderful experience and, the more I travel, the more I realize is how universal the experience is. This guy could be sitting in a market in Morroco, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Hong Kong or he could be at a swap meet in rural Ohio. In this case, he was sitting in the street outside my hotel in Lhasa, Tibet and, if I needed anything horse related, I knew right where to get it!

Day 7 - Lhasa - the Great Monk Debate Chant with Hats

The monks debated, they chanted and then they pulled out.....the hats. Could this spectacle possibly get any more amazing?!? I think not! The fantasticness of the hats speaks for itself. Loved it!

Day 7 - Lhasa - the Great Monk Debate Chant

Suddenly, the debating stopped. It didn't gradually wind down. There was no noticeable signal that it was finished. It just abruptly came to an end. All the monks gathered their things, formed a semi-circle at one end of the courtyard and started to chant. It was magical! Transfixed is not a word I usual use or a state that I would say I'm often in but I was transfixed. I could have sat their and listened forever. Like I said, it was magical....