Check out this video short: Journey as Destination - Traversing the Roof of the World by Bicycle (Vimeo). Shot by David A during his cycling trip in Tibet in summer/fall of 2007. It brought back lots of memories. Even now, three years later, I vividly remember most of the places David cycled through… His trip started out in Kashgar, Xinjiang, and continued for three months riding all the way to Dali, Yunnan. I, on the other hand, was already under way for three months before arriving in Kashgar in late September of 2006, enjoying cycling through northern India and Pakistan. Our roads split in Saga. He seemed to make his way toward Lhasa and farther East whereas I turned sharp south and rode down to Nepal and back onto Indian plains.
Enjoy it, it’s worth it! You will better understand what it means to “enjoy” Tibet on a bike… Makes me wanna go back again. Thanks for sharing, David;)
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.
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.
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:
Start: Yarleb, 5311KM, (G318), Tibet
End: Dram (a.k.a. Zhangmu), 5376KM, (G318), Tibet
Distance: 68.70 km
Elevation: 410/-2,390 m
Time: 3′49″
Avg: 18.0 km/h
Total: 5,516.8 km
Riding/Total days: 71/125
Start: Nature Center, 125KM, (X214), Tibet
End: Yarleb, 5311KM, (G318), Tibet
Distance: 69.84 km
Elevation: 665/-915 m
Time: 5′43″
Avg: 12.1 km/h
Total: 5,448.1 km
Riding/Total days: 70/124
Welcome to my blog where I share outdoor adventures, travel experiences and random musings from home and faraway places alike... My current plans: 1. [Summer-Fall 2010] Vagabonding alongside the Silk Route: It’ll be me, my bike and wide-open spaces of Western China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan for 2-3 months... 2. [2011 or 2012] Motorbiking from Alaska to Patagonia: Just started thinking about it. Plan: Find a used thumper and hit back roads exploring this classic route all the way from the Deadhorse in Prudhoe Bay, U.S. to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Plus, practice and improve my Spanish, too...
