Tibetans

As for the people of Tibet, they all want you to "lookie lookie" at
their merchandise and they can give you "cheap cheap price" on just
about anything. There are markets galore in the different areas
surrounding the monasteries, and you can spend quite a bit of money if
you aren't careful. They advise you to listen for the salesman's first
price, and go down by at least half to start bargaining. Some say that
they up the price by 10 times to get the tourists. Our hotel was
located in the middle of a busy market street, which was awesome when
we all piled out of the van from the airport. Everywhere we go in
China we are like a walking freak show. We have stopped traffic, and
turned an entire store full of peoples heads to watch us walk by.
People have gotten into near moped accidents (which could be near fatal
the way they drive) while turning around to watch us walk as a group.
The people of Tibet are beautiful though. They are adorned in many
places with the traditional dress (of course I bought one... not
knowing where I am ever going to wear it, but I'll find a place) and
long braided hair. They are very devoted to their religion, and have
placed prayer flags all throught the country- including in high up
places on the mountains- I'm not sure how they get there. As for the
altitude, none of us really got sick perse- we were all taking the
diamox I believe it's called to help with the sickness, so we didn't
really do too bad. We did struggle with the food a bit, as yak meat is
prevalent about anywhere you go. We searched in vain for the Lonely
Planet recommended "Western food" places, and were (eventually)
successful in finding a couple of them. There is not a Diet Coke to be
spoken of in Tibet, but we are living anyway. We definitely notice the
altitude with the increased sun intensity and the short windedness we
experience in going up stairs. Towards the end of the second flight
(up to our third floor room) we are definitely feeling the pains of
tight lungs. We brough a container of oxygen with us to the Potala
Palace when we went, but it was confiscated as they looked at our
passports. Our tourguide Harry was no Michael. His English was very
broken, but he did the best he could. Tibet definitely had more of a
third world country feel than I had expected it too, though we passed
expansion and growth (in the form of Chevrolet and Volkswagen
dealerships) on our way out of town.