Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tibet 01

July, 2008
Tibet




Just about a year ago, few people knew much about this small country. Located above India, Nepal and Bhutan, and below China, Tibet is surrounded by big Asian countries. That's probably why, despite its land size, Tibet's name and power is not that well known. It was only after when the monks started to actively protest that the international community started to open its eye to this big but small country.




Frankly, I was also one of those many who did not know much about Tibet. Even before my trip, the only knowlege I had about Tibet was the news on TV- which I knew only the headlines, not the body. I bought a book. But still, Thomas Laird's book The Story of Tibet was about all I knew. So my overall impression and understanding of Tibet has been simply on my own. Not as the country part of China, not as the troublesome land with burning monks, but simply as a new country. Unprejudice. That is how I would like my readers to follow along my journey too.


(I would like to excuse myself from the current political situation in regards to Tibet. I am quite aware that China has declared Tibet as China and, in fact, most Chinese people do believe that its part of their history. But since my visit here was simply focused on Tibet, I would like to claim Tibet as "the country" here, instead of part of China. I hope my readers understand my perspective.)

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