Our hotel in Lhasa, the Shangbala, was centrally located and within walking distance of the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple which we will visit later.

We felt the effects of the high altitude since the city is at an elevation of 12,000 feet. Just walking up several steps causes a shortness of breath. We rested in our room for a couple of hours and drank a lot of water trying to get acclimated. Later in the afternoon we enjoyed a personal introduction to the culture of Tibet as we visited a Lhasa family that had invited us to see their home and have tea.

We drove about 10 miles outside the downtown area to a neighborhood that contained many enclosed courtyard style homes. Before entering our host’s courtyard Ginger stopped by a stone fence and watched an elderly lady pouring barley on a blanket to dry.