Dream destination #1

Hey everyone,

Today I want to start a series of posts about 'Dream destinations'.

Theses aren't just going to be posts with photos form the internet. I'm also going to include some interesting facts about the place and any books or films I've read/seen that have any interconnections with the place.

So let's get started...

Dream destination #1

Tibet is a region in China. It holds some of the highest peaks in the world click :) People often travel there to go trekking or like I want to, to embrace the regional culture and discover something completely new. 

 

I first herd of this region at the age of 7/8. My mum is someone who longs to travel. This is amongst her top dream destinations too! I think that travelling to Tibet seems so appealing to me because it hasn't yet become a commercialized place like: Spain, Italy, Egypt (you know, the typical holiday destinations). It's still a mystery to most of the world.  

10 Facts

1. Tibet is the highest region on Earth and is commonly referred to as the ‘Roof of the World.’
2. Though Tibetan is largely spoken in Tibet, the official language is Chinese.
3. The staple food of Tibetan is Tsampa (roasted barley flour), while the national drink is salted butter tea.
4. The most famous animal belonging to Tibet is Yak, which provides manifold services.
5. The current Dalai Lama is Tibet's political and spiritual leader, who fled from Tibet in 1959 and came to Dharamshala, India.
6.  The current Dalai Lama of Tibet was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, for his consistent efforts for liberation of Tibet, based on non-violence.
7. Tibet has been under the control of China since 1951.
8. Archaeological evidences suggest that the Tibetan Plateau was inhabited by humans around 21,000 years ago. However, in around 3,000 BC the Neolithic immigrants from northern China captured the region.
9. The currency of Tibet is Chinese Yuan Renminbi.
10. The Tibetan new year festival is known as Losar.

A Year in Tibet

Sun Shuyun, a Chinese writer and historian, takes the reader to a tiny and isolated village in Tibet, known for its anti-Chinese stance. She and a team who were half Chinese and half Tibetan, lived and worked there for eighteen months, filming and recording daily life. ‘A Year in Tibet’ is an insight into the relationship between the Chinese and Tibetans, the history behind it, and the way the two interact in the 21st century. Written with Sun Shuyun’s characteristic insight into relationships, this is social and political history with an emphasis on humanity.

 

I started reading this book not so long ago. It definitely isn't a quick read. You need to take your time with this one. The thing I've noticed with taking your time is that you actually feel like you're there - in Tibet. And after time flies, you still remember what you read in the past!

I really do recommend this book. It's a pleasure to read and gives beautiful insight into the everyday lives of Tibetan people.

 Seven Years in Tibet

I haven't watched this film in ages, but when I was researching stuff for the post, I stumbled across it and remembered watching it! I've never been a huge fan of Brad Pitt (yes, I know, it's a shocker), but I'm the type of person who doesn't like what everyone else likes. Despite that, his performance here is really up to my standards. And don't worry, there isn't going to be any spoiler alerts here, because I never ever give away the ending. Never!
P.S. The film's based on a book :)
Movie Trailer below:


Have a nice day and till next time :)
~Julia