Artistic Traditions of Amdo, Summer 2007

Group at Potala Palace, Lhasa

I've been so overwhelmed by all the new experiences and interactions that I haven't had the mental space to write yet. My journal is empty as well because I needed a few days to process what I'm seeing and feeling. The trip has been amazing so far. The many cultural, political, economic and spiritual complexities of this area keep my mental space occupied at all times. Lhasa was an intense experience both for the spiritual sites we visited as well as the cultural implications of the situation there. Our visit to the contemporary artists guild was an unexpected gem. The lecture we attended there helped me to re-focus and go a little deeper into what we are experiencing here. I feel I've learned so much in such a short period of time, it's hard to organize it all just yet. I'm looking forward to the home stays and some quiet time to reflect on our past days adventures and the chance to learn about the traditional art of this region. I'm also excited to see how a family in the village lives. Our experiences so far have been the perfect balance of traditional and contemporary issues and I find this interaction of the old and the new so intriguing. Anyway, hello to my friends and family and know that I am having an amazing experience here.

Michelle