Our last day in Lhasa

Another shopping day. This time, we headed to the Potala Palace and scoped out the street vendors then headed back to the Jokhang. We spent some time with the monks during the “closed to tourist” hours and then got to see their chanting service. It was quite amazing- to hear the monks in their deep-throated voices chanting and to see the throngs of pilgrims outside.

We stopped by the Meru Nyingba Monastery, administered by the Nechung Monastery. This group is the seat of the State Oracle and associated with possession, exorcism. The images in the chapel were grotesque- mangled bodies, people being tortured. The local pilgrims bring barley beer to the oracle as offerings.

We made our last stop at Dunya for beers and watched the street scene before grabbing dinner at the Tibet-Lhasa restaurant. After a huge tiff with the hotel staff regarding our bill, we had a few minutes with our guide and her husband to say goodbye. She brought us a beautiful door hanging as a gift. We were so touched.