Gayest photo - ever!

I think this is going to be the last post on the blog for a while, as tomorrow we leave civilisation (relatively speaking, given the location), and head off into the wilds of Tibet to go camping and trekking en-route to EBC (that's Everest base camp for the uninitiated). Today we are in Shigatse which is the second biggest city in Tibet, and in a rather funky hotel full of tacky gaudy red dragons and stuff. Yesterday we were in Gyantse which was a small rather nondescript place, notable mainly for the fact that it looks exactly like Kazakhstan as portrayed in the Borat film! Like, people were driving horses and carts down the main road where we had to dodge them from our land cruisers, and some of the local sleazy men were giving us come-hither looks and asking for sexytime. We ended up saying "jagshemash" in return to anyone who said hello... We did have a wander through the old village area which was amazing, cows walking all over the road and it was like stepping back in time were it not for all the filthy children who were everywhere but very cute at the same time, unlike the aggressive beggars in the big cities they were happy enough to pose for photos in return for being shown them in the camera screen rather than demanding money and trying to open your bags as soon as you step off a bus.

Also yesterday we went to nearly 5000m altitude over one of the high passes and had some stunning views of a lake, and also took the most gay photos ever, which involved some of us riding on yaks. I will probably stick that one up on here once I get home as it's a classic! Had a bit of a headache when we got that high so started back on the diamox and feeling much better now, am planning on taking it probably until I get back to Kathmandu.

Also of note is the fact that there is a lot more talking in comedy Chinese accents amongst the group, mainly as we are seeing far more Chinglish signs that make very little sense. I'll put some pics of those up too. One of the girls and I went shopping and bought these really funny t-shirts which have a picture of a rocket-shaped ice lolly on them (like a zoom, for anyone who remembers them), and the slogan underneath "comfortable hot icy pole in solution" which we thought was just hilarious! Been wearing them, much to the amusement of some of the others.

Had a bit of a medical emergency today when one of the group fainted - luckily he was in the landcruiser with both us doctors in! He had to get the driver to pull over, then bent over at the side of the road before toppling over, so we all rushed out and did our thing which involved basically standing in the way of the hot sun and waiting for him to recover. He's fine now, combination of heat, dehydration and stomach upset we think. But as a downside, I burnt both my knees from kneeling on the hot road while doing my thing, they have large red patches on them so I will be having to put cream on for a few days I think.

The hotel is playing piped love songs through the lobby at the moment, presently it's "unchained melody", but it's much better than the jangly Chinese stuff that gets played everywhere else. I think I must have said something controversial on this blog as whilst I can add new posts via the site, I can't view it myself. So I could see how controversial I could be by talking about the Dalai Lama, the political situation, and the Chinese occupation and how it's not a free country at all, but that would be counter-productive! So I'll carry on writing the usual sort of crap.

When talking about crap earlier this week I also forgot to mention the constant sound of the Chinese men hacking up phlegm from their throats and spitting it out on the street, so you have to dodge these little piles of phlegm as well as all the wee. It's really grim. I am so looking forward to some proper toilets again where you can flush the paper down and wash your hands afterwards, I'm getting through tons of alcohol gel as there are never any sinks there.

I am very pleased that tomorrow we visit the final monastery of the trip. I think we must have been to about ten so far, and whilst individually they are beautiful, they are all blurring into one and I cannot stand much more of the aroma of burning juniper and melted yak butter which permeates all through. I am totally monasteried out.

Anyway, going to go and have some dinner now, probably will involve yak in some form as usual, for lunch I had yak momos which are like small steamed dumplings with yak meat in, and some potato soup which was lovely. Had delicious indian tomato soup the other night which had coriander and spices in it, so will be trying that one out when I get home along with some noodle soup using the noodles I bought in the supermarket. I think having soup with every meal is the way forward as it's filling without being too unhealthy if you make it yourself, I have no idea how the diet sweepstake is going but my trousers are a bit looser so there is still time for people to enter if they wish as the result will be posted when I get home. So no more blog until the end of next week if at all as don't think EBC has internet access, will try and do a bit when we're back in Kathmandu which should be next wednesday or thursday if all goes to plan - wonder if anyone will miss me?!