Luggage And Bags: Dragging along a sleeping bag is a MUST. Make sure it's covered because if you're doing a roadtrip over land like we did, you'll see more dust than you can ever imagine. Even though your bag is piled on top of the vehicle, it's not exempt from the dirt and dust that kicks up from any living thing passing over the roads. And believe me - you'll want your bag to snuggle in when you're holed up in some Communist dump called a "hotel" along the way.....a small refuge from the cold nights at altitude.
When our trip was done, we gave our sleeping bag to Dawa. Maybe she'll use it on one of her pilgrimages to a monastery in the interior of the country.
Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Layer, layer, layer. And protect your skin from the sun! You're up high, so slather on the lotion AND the sweaters. As long as you're in the sun, you can be reasonably warm...we went in mid-October and the temps required jacket and sometimes just a sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt. But along those high-passes as you're traveling the Plateau - yikes - windy and C-O-L-D ! You can see the Tibetans' cheeks are windblown and ruddy. Yours will be too if you don't protect yourself. Wear comfortable shoes - tennis shoes or my personal faves, my trusty Timberland hiking boot-shoes. They loved my feet and vice versa.
Toiletries & Medical Supplies: Ahh, that saline nasal spray will really come in handy because the air is so dry, your nose is likely to bleed. If you keep it moist, however, you'll be winning the battle. Plus, you'll breathe better.
Make sure to get a prescription for Diamox (250 mg should do) from your doc, just in case you have an uncomfortable night of altitude sickness. We were somewhat bothered maybe one night and one day during the entire 8 day trip, and we each took half a pill. Sleep is about the only thing that will help, plus a pill - if used with caution and the approach that it's a precautionary measure - not a panacea. Altitude sickness is a serious ailment and if left to continue, can KILL.
Oh - DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!!!! Staying hydrated will help your body deal with the altitude.
Note: if you fly directly into Lhasa, forget the above...you'll need at least a full 24 hours of absolute REST. No eating - just sleep and water. It's the only way to help your body build those extra red blood cells needed for precious oxygen!!
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on Feb 1, 2004
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