the silk road

What farewell gift did Lhamo give the narrator in Ravu?

: A long-sleeved sheepskin coat that Tibetan men wore.

Why did Lhamo think the narrator needed the coat?

Because he told her he was going to Mount Kailash and needed warmer clothes for the kora.

What was Tsetan’s concern about taking the shortcut route?

The mountain passes could only be crossed if there was no snow.

What animals did the narrator see on the open plains?

Gazelles and a herd of wild asses called kyang.

How did the wild ass (kyang) herd behave when the narrator approached?

They galloped together in tight formation, kicking up plumes of dust.

Who were the drokbas?

Tibetan nomadic herders tending sheep and yaks.

Why were Tibetan mastiffs feared?

They were huge, aggressive guard dogs that charged at vehicles, barking furiously.

What symptoms did the narrator experience at high altitude?

Headache, breathlessness, blocked sinuses, fear of sleeping because of chest heaviness.

What was the main danger of crossing the snow patches on the track?

The icy top layer could cause the car to slip and overturn.

: Why did Tsetan unscrew the petrol tank top at the pass?

The low atmospheric pressure caused the fuel to expand, producing a loud hiss.

What activity was happening at the salt lake work camp?

Men were mining salt; trucks carried loads of salt from the lake.

Why did the narrator dislike Hor?

It was dusty, bleak, filled with rubbish, and had no vegetation, unlike its spiritual reputation.

What is the religious importance of Lake Manasarovar?

Hindu and Buddhist cosmology link it to the sources of four major Indian rivers.

What was the narrator served in Hor’s café?

Tea with a filthy rag-cleaned table, served by a Chinese youth in military uniform.

What made the narrator’s night in Darchen difficult?

He could not sleep because lying down caused chest heaviness and blocked sinuses.

What did the Tibetan doctor diagnose?

A common cold with altitude sickness.

What kind of medicine did the doctor give?

A: A five-day course of Tibetan medicine: brown powder and pellet-like pills.

What relieved the narrator’s condition?

The first day of Tibetan medicine—he slept soundly afterward.

Why was the narrator disappointed with Darchen at first?

There were no pilgrims yet, and he didn’t want to do the kora alone.

Who was Norbu and where did he work?

A Tibetan scholar from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, researching the Kailash kora.

Why was the narrator happy to meet Norbu?

Because Norbu also wanted to do the kora and could be his companion.

Why did Norbu think the kora would be hard?

Because he was overweight and not used to long treks at high altitude.

What did Norbu suggest for the trek?

Hiring yaks to carry their luggage.

Why did Norbu refuse the idea of prostrating along the kora?

He laughed and said it was not possible—his stomach was too big.

What theme does the chapter emphasize?

The contrasts of the Silk Road—harsh landscapes, spiritual destinations, human endurance, and unexpected companionship.