Matt in China: Jiuzhaigou Valley

[Matt]

compliment withdrawn. yeah, it sucks.

Thanks

[Matt]

WhileI love the boards smilies....and was going to choose a dancing banana or pickle, these photos invoke much more excitement in me that I couldnt resist....


A little help here....youtube tag doesnt seem to want to work....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2yt6wOoK0

We could add this to the smilies:

[hobkyl]

We could add this to the smilies:

That would be fantastic!

[Matt]

More walking around Tibetan villages...
I'm not sure about this depiction. The three heads is similar to that found on the kila daggers and other objects that ward off evil spirits. In the center is the "Ohm" symbol.


Everything is hand painted.


This is a restaurant. Notice the rack of bronze prayer wheels to the left. Just below the wheels are arrows indicating the clockwise directions one should take when spinning the wheels. Spinning a payer wheel, which is engraved with a sutra, is the equivalent of reciting that sutra.


[img2]http://www.nyfalls.com/posts/china2/276.jpg[/img2]

This is the very top of a Mani Pile that is about my height. Mani stones are stones inscribed or painted with small sutras/mantras. Passers by will leave a stone on the mani pile, which is the equivalent of reciting that sutra. Some piles, particularly the ones alongside roads, often grow miles in length. Piles are often wrapped in prayer flags and topped with Yak skulls, which helps the Yak's souls reach heaven.


Joni stops at this Cafe to check her makeup. Need to look your best when hiking in the mountains.
[img2]http://www.nyfalls.com/posts/china2/279.jpg[/img2]

Hand-carved, hand-painted woodwork on all the homes. Where do they get the bright colors? Traditionally, from stone minerals, trade (southwest china is along the silk road), and local fungi.




I'm not sure what this is.

[Mikell]

So much colour...love it!
Especially like the one of Joni checking her makeup!

[hobkyl]

Vibrant colors!

[Matt]

Thanks. I have a few more from these villages (a lot didn't come out because of lighting, and then when the sun was down everything got icy), and then it was back to to city.
the place is beautiful, the people are friendly, but the altitude and weather was taxing.... keep in mind through all of this I am gaining no nutrition... I'm eating somewhat, but it ALL comes up. I could have stayed maybe another day or two if i were healthy.

[americanhero]

Matt, I'm totally impressed. All those pictures look so beautiful. The colors, the whole area, I never thought China would be like that.
Simply amazing.