Memories

We’re still coming across things we haven’t seen for years as we get to the last boxes. These Tibetan mementos have returned to my bookshelf. The doll is wearing typical Tibetan dress, although in real life the apron would be bright multicolours. She would have gold earrings and necklaces, probably with some turquoise somewhere in there, a sign of how well the family are doing. The boots would be made from Yak wool made into felt, rough, hard wearing and warm, decorated with silk and stitching. When we visited Tibet in the mid 90’s, part of the visit to China which produced the soldiers of the last blip, there were still people in the country towns walking around in national dress and felt boots. I suspect, like mainland China, things are rather different now, especially in Lhasa which has had much of the old town razed. Long may the Potala stand on its hill overlooking the city, I hope that never goes. When we visited there was only a handful of monks left in a temple/palace that housed 1,000. I found it almost unbearably sad. But I am so happy to have been to this iconic place, and the doll and boots always bring a smile to my face.