7.2 /10 1 Votes
Originally published 2004 | 3.6/5 Goodreads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith is a nonfiction travel narrative by American writer Brandon Wilson set in Tibet.
Contents
Summary
In 1992, the author, his wife Cheryl, and their Tibetan horse Sadhu set off on an ancient 1,000-kilometer (620 mi) pilgrimage trail from Lhasa, Tibet, to Kathmandu, Nepal.
The original motivation for the journey is to become the first Western couple to complete it. However, there are political and spiritual issues that the couple learn must be reconciled. On their journey through the Himalayan plains they encounter sandstorms, blizzards, high altitude and thin air, as well as political bureaucracy, guns, and uncertainty about food and the next step of their journey.
The narrative also describes the couple's warm encounters with Tibetan families along the way, giving insight into 1990s life in Tibet, a country struggling to survive Chinese occupation and cultural destruction--while retaining faith in the Dalai Lama's return.
Awards
In June 2005, Yak Butter Blues received an Independent Publisher "IPPY" Award Honorable Mention in the Travel Essay division.