On a tour of the Potala you walk up dozens of narrow, steep stairways to access all the inner temples and rooms. It was a workout for the two of us at our age, and it was blowing me away to see all the elderly people completing this same circuit! Here, we are about half way through the building, and on a particularly long stretch of stairs. One of the more elderly pilgrims was hitching a ride from a grandson up THESE steps. You can see me at the top of those stairs, in the top photo. It was a great day to tour the Potala, because it was one of the days when Pilgrims are allowed in for free. So we were surrounded, literally pushed through the dozens of rooms and chambers by a wave of Tibetan Pilgrims! Experiencing a tour this way means you ARE hurried a bit, just based on sheer numbers of people trying to see the same things, but for me it becomes more authentic and significant to visit a place with people on a holy mission. This being the traditional home of all the Dalai Lamas, and the last home in Tibet of the current Dalai Lama, it is a VERY sacred site to Tibetans, and a place that people wish to visit for their whole lives. Myself included....
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