Picture of Tibetan pilgrim prostrating his way to Lhasa (Tibet, China)

Tibetan pilgrim in the desolate landscape south of Lake Ngoring Tso

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Pilgrimage is a vital part of the life of any Tibetan, and Tibetan pilgrims are inevitably part of life for any visitor to these parts of the world.
On my way back of visiting the lake, I stopped at two wooden carts parked at the roadside. They were packed with personal belongings, and a few metres away, I saw a tent, with a stove outside, on which a pot of boiling water. Three people came out of the tent, inviting me over. Two women looking like nuns, whom I had seen pushing the carts, appeared to be accompanying the lone Tibetan pilgrim, who looked rough, a face worn out by the sun. Even though they obviously did not have much to share, they were adamant I should drink their tea and eat tsampa, the traditional Tibetan food. It appeared that this pilgrim was on his way to Lhasa, some 1000km away as the crow flies, but probably considerably more overland. He planned to take no less than 2 years to reach the holy city. He explained how he managed the cold, the wild animals he came across, and I could think of many other difficulties he would encounter on his long way. How much I had wanted to speak Tibetan at that moment! I could think of so many questions to ask.
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