Tibet

Huge cliff painting near Lhasa

Tibetan woman and child. Most men in this region wear cowboy hats -- this little guy included.

Back alley scene in Lhasa.

Kham men visiting the Jokhang in Lhasa. The Jokhang is considered the most holy Buddhist place in Tibet and is the object of holy pilgrimages.

Buddhist prayer flags.

Prayer wheels in the Jokhang in Lhasa.

The Potala was the residence of the Dalai Lama until, in 1959, he was forced out of the country.

Religious symbol atop the Jokhang. The Jokhang is considered the most holy Buddhist place in Tibet and is the object of holy pilgrimages.

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks "debating" in the square of their monastery. This exercise happens weekly and is a test of the students knowledge of the teachings.

Young women on the roof of the Potala. They are tamping the mud roof with their feet and the round stones at the end of the poles in their hands. All of this is done to the sound of a mesmerizing chant.

These men are carving inscriptions on "mani" or prayer stones. Lhasa.

The Potala was the residence of the Dalai Lama until, in 1959, he was forced out of the country.

Farm workers taking a break -- and playing a gambling game. Near Lhasa.

The skull of a yak adorns a small house in the highlands south of Lhasa.

Yak poop made into little muffins and stuck to the house to dry. At this altitude trees are a scarcity. The dung of Yak is very rich and burns well to warm the house in winter.

Rugged mountains around Lhasa.

Shepherdesses taking a break on the plains west of Lhasa.

Pilgrims lying prostrate in worship at the west entrance of the Jokhang in Lhasa.

Votive candles at the Jokhang in Lhasa.

Man and little boy cooking the goo, etc., out of a yak skull. The skull will later adorn their house.