I had a near disaster this morning. After a few hours on a local bus we arrived at what appeared to be my destination. A woman got on the bus barking orders in Chinese, half the passengers left and half stayed. I showed my ticket and she told be to stay, then someone else come on and told me to get off...I did and the bus whizzed off. After about 20 seconds, I realized it whizzed off with my backpack and all my belongings! Somehow, by sign language, I was ab...

It's official: I will not be going to Tibet. The government has closed Tibet to foreigners(on Sept, 20th) due to the 60th anniversary of the Cultural Revolution. The rumor was that they would allow people with pre-issued Tibet permits in, which I had, but it appears they won't. Bummer!