A Trip to Tibet
We just finished one of the most incredible drives to DeQuin. En route we crossed a 15,000-foot pass, stayed in the villages of Jadin and Dequin, stopped multiple times for photos, participated in a local dance, celebrated Eli Spiegel's brithday, and...
The trip started in dramatic fashion. Levin had arranged us a private bus, but there was a diesel shortage the night prior to departure. I personally saw the gas line about a kilometer long. The morning we were to leave, our bus driver had to cancel because he was not able to buy diesel. Fortunately, Levin hustled and found a bus that had diesel already and we were on our way to Jadin.
Tomorrow we put on the Mekong and are well prepared and excited. Much of the day today we drove high above the Yangtze about 200 km upstream of the whitewater. Notice the First Bend of Yangtze shot. The drive was spectacular to say the least as we passed villages at high altitude in the region still known today as Tibet. Everything is written in Tibet, the dress is Tibeta, and the people are Tibetan. As Levin explained it, "this region is Tibet even though it is not official on the maps.
One of the highlights of the day was Eli Spiegel's birthday. We surprised him with carrot cake, a song, and some Chinese firecrackers. The cake was delicious and we were all happy that Eli was born on this day.
I expect to not have contact unless it is by phone for the next five to six days.
"And that has made all the difference."
David Hughes