movement then get up and do it over and over again, some also wear wood blocks on their hands. I know each to their own and all of that and I don’t want to upset anyone who is religious but it does seem a bit of a silly way to get about! It also quite weird the first time you see someone doing it but you soon do get used to it!

Eric was hurrying us to get into the temple so we paid up and went in, as it turns out the only bit you pay for is the inner part of the temple where most of the true praying goes on, if we had known that before hand none of us would have paid as it seemed wrong to have tour groups parading about and being first in the queue. Eric pushed his way to the front of every bit of interest and explained about the Buddhist religion, whilst we all feel really bad for encroaching in people really personal space, its not a place for tourists I don’t think, fair enough to go in and

have a look around the outside and on the roof but to actually let tourists into the most sacred part of the temple, and our group was only 4, they had really big groups in there with bloody flags and mega-phones and yeah they were Chinese with their usual pushing, shoving and being right in your face.

Before we went off to sort out our trip we visited a local Tibetan family. The family painted Tnangka which were incredible, the kids didn’t go to school but just painted, they usually start painting around 8 and are home taught for most other things. Each family member has his part to play in the painting but the farther is the only one who is experienced enough to paint the face and eyes. Had endless amounts of green tea thankfully Eric had pre-warned them that we weren’t really fused on Sweet Tibetan or Salted Butter Tea! I know you’re supposed to try all traditional things but knowing