Oliv N The City
Photographer - Traveler - Storyteller
Around 1998 a group of Tibetan monks came to my small hometown in Michigan. It was a stop during their world tour to bring awareness of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. At this time I knew nothing of Buddhism or a country called Tibet! This was the midwest folks. My life was forever changed during those few days. Witnessing their dance, their songs, speaking with the monks, I was instantly mezmorized by their culture and who they were. 17 years later my ultimate dream of traveling to Tibet came true. While flipping through Instagram I came across The Land of Snows photography tour and signed up immediately. Jamin, the owner and tour guide, was incredible and someone I now call a friend. Describing my experience is too hard to put into words. It changed me. It left a mark. It still haunts me, in a good way.
Tibetan owned and operated.
This 1400 year old temple is the holiest in all of Tibet.
The Potala Palace was the winter home of the Dalai Lama, with over 1,000 rooms!
Hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist walk around the Jokhang clockwise while praying.
There are so many dogs everywhere! Tibetan people do not kill nor is there such a thing as spay & neuter. They are looked after though thankfully.
Tibetan Buddhist pray while doing prostrations in front of the Jokhang. They pack a lunch because they will be there all day.
Some Buddhist will travel for hundreds of miles doing prostrations the entire way to the Jokhang. Many of them had callus's on their foreheads from placing their head on the ground so many times.
While I used the restroom, which was located outside of the restaurant, these two were messing with me by scratching at the door and pushing it open slowly. They were laughing so hard when I walked out. After I snapped a shot, I gave them each a pad of paper and a pen. Then I made them take a photo with me.
This guy had no idea why I was taking his photo.
