![\"IMG_2585\"](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/IMG_2585.jpg\")
<\/a>How about some Tsampa<\/p><\/div>\n
Hotel lobby<\/p><\/div>\n Our first stop is the Potala Palace. The first sight of it for me was breath taking. It was the home of the Dalai Lama since the 7th<\/sup> century. The last Dalai Lama left in 1959, and currently lives in India. We climbed to the top, no small task considering the altitude. At the top, we were able to visit tombs for previous Dalai Lamas #5 through #13. We also wandered through sleeping, studying, and meditation quarters. There are around 100 monks living on site, maintaining the property.<\/p>\n Potala Palace<\/p><\/div>\n Pilgrims walking clockwise around the temple<\/p><\/div>\n Heading to the top<\/p><\/div>\n Almost to the top<\/p><\/div>\n Now, back to the bottom<\/p><\/div>\n Lhasa Valley in the background<\/p><\/div>\n Up close on one of the prayer wheels<\/p><\/div>\n After the palace, we had lunch at a local restaurant. There were several \u201cyak\u201d dishes on the menu. I had sizzling yak on stones (served like fajitas back in the US). It was served with peppers and onions. Steve had a yak burger, and Josie had yak stew.<\/p>\n Finished off lunch with a cafe mocha<\/p><\/div>\n After lunch, we toured the Sera Monastery. It\u2019s basically \u201cmonk\u201d university. They have lessons in the morning and in the afternoon, they have testing sessions in the \u201cDebating Courtyard\u201d. I\u2019ll post several pictures and a video or two of the debating session. The session begins at 3:00 and finishes at 5:00. One monk, standing, issues the questions, and the seated monk answers. After an hour, they swap places.<\/p>\n Video Links \u2013 Sera Monastery<\/strong><\/p>\n #1 – https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/cs2zwu80i3o90cr\/15.5.1.Sera1.m4v?dl=0<\/a><\/p>\n #2 – https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/6c8ag6mj0rahn06\/15.5.1.Sera2.m4v?dl=0<\/a><\/p>\n The Debating Courtyard during a testing session<\/p><\/div>\n Back at the hotel, we were beat! We rested, then ate at the hotel restaurant. I had a yak kabob, Steve had yak ravioli, and Josie had Yak pizza. Pretty much anything we normally eat as a beef dish could be done with yak, and it\u2019s all pretty good. As we head back to our rooms, we ask about heat. I was barely in my room before someone arrived with a small electric heater. It made such an improvement.<\/p>\n My Yak Kabob<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The hotel served a nice buffet breakfast with a mix of western and Tibetan foods. I tried Tsampa, an oatmeal-like cereal mixed from barley wheat, Yak cheese, sugar, and hot water. The restaurant smelled like the cooking was being done … Continue reading <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>