I Am ... Free (page 4)

compound complex

Dear Bee:

How wonderful to hear from you! I hope that you are well.

Oui, oui! Vive la liberte'!

Despite losses, the end result has been worth it.

Thanks for chiming in!

CoCo

calico

naugahyde hassock

I inherited several of these! They are ugly, but very useful!

snowbird

I love your writing, CoCo, because I love words.

They've always captivated me and transported me to far-away places to which I may never venture.

Thank you for being you and for being on this board.

Sylvia

Witness 007

Coco you are mentally strong which is something not all of us posses....some of the greatest men have had their aliments, and still managed to acomplish great things.

compound complex

They are ugly, but very useful!

Calico

Are you aware, Calico, that those ugly, stumpy cylinders are covered with the very rare and desirable hide of the Nauga? Let's hang onto those little critters!

They've always captivated me and transported me to far-away places to which I may never venture.

Snowbird

Me, too, Sylvia! Absolutely. Your encouragement and acceptance of me does spur me on, especially when my "voice" appears stilled. Please see The Yak's Story below (for you!).

[...] mentally strong which is something not all of us possess ...

Witness 007

We've all come a long way, W 007. The support we get from one another here on JWD has, IMHO, made us stronger in so many ways (you should have seen me 3 years ago - no, maybe not).

Sylvia, et al:

How about taking a little junket with me, your fellow armchair traveler?

We're about a fortnight's journey from the Forbidden City. Our yak must think we're crazy, pushing on relentlessly as we do. Not to mention the nomads, who travel but a few miles and then permit their beasts to browse the high pastures. You see, we've encountered diverse setbacks - following mountain trails that led us smack into rocky walls that showed us no immediately recognizable path of ascent. Then there were the shifty-eyed brigands - known throughout the region as Khampas. Their encampment - Gyak Bongra - is a name that makes brave men tremble; that, we learned, to our chagrin and a potentially disastrous termination of our lives.

As it stands, we did escape, mainly through a bit of bravado and the use of our wiles. But our chief cause of concern is the bitter cold and our fending off its ravages - frostbite being our principal worry. We have no gloves, but only old socks as their replacement. Often we've no choice but to bivouac in the open. Rarely do we come upon an "ihega" - a sheltering stone fence, that protects against the wind. The below- freezing temperatures frequently render sleep impossible, but eventually, because of sheer exhaustion, our slumber becomes leaden.

We've bluffed our way through various check points on an expired travel permit. Some subordinate officials are skeptical, but others are happy to see us on our way. Llasa is but the distance of a few days.

What further challenges await us? Despite our physical pains and utter exhaustion, we are drawn inexorably toward our objective. If only by dint of sheer determination and will, we shall see the fabled city at the top of the world.

Signing off for now,

Armchair Traveler/Companion of Peter and Heinrich, on our sojourn through Tibet.

Reference: SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, by Heinrich Harrer, 1953.

snowbird

Ah, Coco, Lhasa is the Forbidden City!

You aren't going in search of the Dalai Lama, are you?

Do you see what I mean?

I can see the path of your descent, I can feel the bitter cold, I can hear the labored breathing of the brigands as they close in on their target...

Oh! Please excuse me; this is your story.

Sylvia

compound complex

Sylvia,

Is that a photo of the potala?

Your descriptive interpretation of my words has only served to carry me further on my journey ...

Wonderful!

Thanks,

CoCo

snowbird

Yes, it is!

Because of the sunshine in the chambers all year round, the East and West Chamber were the places where Dalai Lamas lived, worked and studied. The furnishings are sumptuousness and comfortable, revealing the dignity of Dalai Lamas. Standing on the spacious balcony, visitors can look down on beautiful Lhasa.

I feel as though I am already there.

Thank you.

Sylvia

compound complex

Dear Sylvia:

I, too, am there ...

My favorite line from Lost Horizon:

A full moon rose, touching each peak in succession like some celestial lamplighter.

Many thanks.

CoCo Lama

I Am ... Free

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