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Join a protest. Support Tibet.


Free Tibet, originally uploaded by Rich.

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March 31st, 2008 Posted by Rich | China, Photography, Tibet | 5 comments

Travel books

Browsing regularly through my local Barnes & Nobles store, I picked up two titles that drew my interest immediately. First one is a book written by Peter Hessler: Oracle Bones: A Journey in Time through China. I read about it some time ago and I knew that soon or later I will pick it up. In light of my upcoming travels in Western China again, it is not surprising that I did so now. I just scanned through the first couple of pages and I’m amazed at how good storyteller the author is. To sample his writing style, check out The Atlantic Monthly web archives from February 1999, where he published Tibet through Chinese Eyes, an insightful article on Han Chinese in Tibet. You can read more about Peter at Rollf Pott’s Vagabonding website: Travel Writers: Peter Hessler or listen to his audio clips from an interview with ABC News correspondent Todd Carrel in June 2006 on National Geographic Voices - Peter Hessler in China about what it means for millions of young people to uproot themselves from their rural villages in the hope of fulfilling their dreams in China’s booming cities..

The second book is by Tony and Maureen Wheeler: Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story. Anyone who backpacked on a budget to faraway locations will know the name of Tony Wheeler. He and his wife started the Lonely Planet Publications company. This book is a page turner for anyone interested in independent travel. It is a story of young couple who embraced travel to not-so-popular destinations around the world in the 1970s, help to popularize the ‘backpacker’s trails’ through writing and publishing of guidebooks and inspired generations of people, young and old alike, to discover the ‘real’ world for themselves… Tony and his wife Maureen, vividly describe their first trip overland through Asia, following the hippie trails to India and Nepal, ultimately arriving in Australia, the country they adopted as their new home. They recount their story from simple beginnings of Lonely Planet guidebooks to the multinational company it is today, and everything in between… They share their infectious passion for travel, in its purest and unburdened form, with a backpack and open itinerary. Plus, Tony also offers shrewd analysis of travel book publishing business and Lonely Planet’s growing pains in the new internet age.

March 30th, 2008 Posted by Rich | Books, China | one comment

Peace of the grave?

An interesting article Tibet’s peace of the grave by Vaclav Havel was recently published in the Guardian’s “comment is free” section. It is a fresh reminder of how communist governments used to operate not so long ago in countries of Central Europe. China’s ruthless response only confirms that its totalitarian practices are still ‘alive’ and ‘well used’ on Tibetans, other minorities, as well as its own citizens. The most telling quote from the article:

Even as we write, it is clear that China’s rulers are trying to reassure the world that peace, quiet, and “harmony” have again prevailed in Tibet. We all know this kind of peace from what has happened in the past in Burma, Cuba, Belarus and a few other countries - it is called the peace of the graveyard.

On another note, Avaaz.org - The World in Action has collected close to 1.4 million signatures for their Stand with Tibet petition. It will be symbolically delivered tomorrow, March 31st, 2008, all around the world to Chinese embassies and consulates. I’m planning to be there too, here in New York City. For events around the world to join the cause see the Students for a free Tibet website.

March 29th, 2008 Posted by Rich | China, Tibet | one comment

NEPAL [in BLACK and WHITE]


NEPAL [in BLACK and WHITE], originally uploaded by Rich.

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March 27th, 2008 Posted by Rich | Arts, Nepal, Photography | no comments

Stand with Tibet - Support the Dalai Lama

Please, support Tibetan people’s cause by signing a petition at Avaaz.org - The World in Action to be forwarded to the Chinese President Hu Jintao:

As citizens around the world, we call on you to show restraint and respect for human rights in your response to the protests in Tibet, and to address the concerns of all Tibetans by opening meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Only dialogue and reform will bring lasting stability. China’s brightest future, and its most positive relationship with the world, lies in harmonious development, dialogue and respect.

March 19th, 2008 Posted by Rich | China, Tibet | no comments

Tibet is erupting!!!

Unless you have been off the Internet in the last week, you’ve seen a stream of news reports about violence in Tibet. Today, it even reached the top news of Yahoo.com (Chinese security forces swarm Tibet; Protests turn violent in Tibet) and front pages of The Economist (Fire on the Roof of the World) and New York Times (Tibetans Clash With Chinese Police in Second City). Even my favorite adventure website MountEverest.net reports on the clash between Tibetans and Chinese troops: Himalaya is burning.

It certainly brings unwanted attention ahead of Beijing 2008 Olympics. The eyes of the world are on China looking how it will react. If it’s business as usual with storming army troops and abusive security forces, it will only reinforce views that China’s attempts at granting more autonomy to Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) are superficial, at best. If the Communist leadership in Beijing concedes that they need to address Tibet differently, it will be a fresh change. The latter looks next to impossible given the latest rhetoric coming out of China accusing protesters of anti-Chinese activities and the Dalai Lama and Tibetan exiles around the world of splittist tendencies.

Here are more links with up-to-date reporting on the situation in Tibet:

Plus, below is an email from my globe-trotting friend Travelling Z (and his friends) to raise awareness about the current situation in Tibet:

My dear friends,

It’s been long time since I wrote last.

Many of you might know about my interest in the Tibetan culture and Tibet itself. Now with the forthcoming Olympic Games in Beiging has many people focused their aim on highlighting conditions of the Chinese rule in Tibet, the way people are treated there and also the influence China is lately imposing on the outside world. Like many times in the history money are turning the wheel of politic and China indeed has strong economical power in its hands. Many countries lately are overlooking the human rights and bending under the global rule of economical influence. It is interesting and sad to see, how much
bigger influence has economical power over the force treat. People raise against the thread of force, but bent to pamper of riches.

You know I am not a person of the politic and also this statement is not a political agitation. I would like to raise a bit of awareness about the recent happenings. To me, they are related not only as to a traveler, someone who met many Tibetans and made friends among them, but at first as to a human being.

There are many “peaceful” protest marches being held through the world to support Tibet. Many countries are forbidding and suppressing them. If you interested, here is some more info:

Continue reading “Tibet is erupting!!!”

March 16th, 2008 Posted by Rich | China, Tibet | one comment