CHAPTER 8: SILK ROAD
Written by: Nick Middleton
Summary
Glossary
Textbook Questions and answers
The author left Ravu along with Tsetan and Daniel.
They were heading for Mount Kailash with the intention of completing the kora.
The author had informed Lhamo that they were leaving for Mt. Kailash.
She presented him with a long-sleeved sheepskin coat to protect him from cold.
Tsetan was a good driver. He knew the route that would take them to Mount Kailash.
On their way they came across gazelles nibbling grass.
Later they came across herds of animals. They passed drokbas, who were taking care of their flocks.
There were tents of nomads. They were accompanied by their huge dogs who guarded them.
These dogs were ferocious. They could now see the snow-capped mountains.
The turns on the roads became sharper. Now that they were gaining heights the author felt pressure building up in his ears.
They were 5,210 metres above the sea level. The road was snow covered.
They were afraid that their car could turn over. Both Daniel and the author flung handful of dirt across the frozen surface.
They could continue their journey. By now they were 5.400 metres above the sea level as they continued their climb.
They stopped the car and opened the lid of the petrol tank to let out gas which had accumulated as a result of low atmospheric pressure which expanded the fuel.
They were now crossing a pass. After some time they came to the other side of the pass.
At two o'clock they stopped for lunch and ate hot noodles inside long canvas tent.
A work camp was erected beside a dry salt lake.
The plateau is covered with salt flats and small parts of the Tethys Ocean, which bordered Tibet.
This was place full of activities. The workmen here wore sunglasses to avoid glare.
Trucks were emerging laden with piles of salt.
By late afternoon they reached the town of Hor.
They were back on the main east-west highway that followed the old trade route from Lhasa to Kashmir.
At this point Daniel returned to Lhasa. The author and Tsetan got two tyres repaired.
There was Hor was a grim, miserable place. no vegetation, just dust and rocks and accumulated refuse.
The town was on the shore of Lake Manasarovar, an ancient Hindu and Buddhist pinpoints.
It is also a source of four great rivers: the Ganges, the Sutlej, the Indus and the Brahmaputra.
Only Sutlej flows from the lake, the other three rise on the flanks of Mt. Kailash.
The author had tea in the only cafe in Hor. Later they drove on to Mt. Kailash.
After 10:30 pm they drove on to Darchen.
They were 4760 metres above sea level.
One of his nostrils was blocked. He began to breathe through his mouth.
But when he sat up the movement cleared his nostril. But he could not sleep.
Tsetan took the author to the Darchen medical college next morning.
A Tibetan doctor treated him. He said it was the effect of cold and the altitude.
On asking the doctor told him he would be able the to do the kora.
He came out of the hospital with and a packet containing 15 days medicine. That night four the author slept well.
Later Tsetan returned to Lhasa. Darchen gave him a clear view of the Himalayas.
But there were no pilgrims. The author had come all the way to complete Kora, a Tibetan pilgrimage and a type of meditative practice.
Sitting in the cafe the author came across Norbu. They became friends. Norbu was a Tibetan working for Chinese Academy of gh Social Science in Beijing.
He also had come to do kora.
He was happy to meet the author as both were academicians. Norbu suggested that they should hire yaks to carry their luggage.
size someone up-check someone out
clamber into - (here) get into clumsily
get off-climb down from something
bound away-jump away, leaping forward
en masse - in group
Ease off-slacken off, reduce tension
clogged with - obstructed/blocked with
doubled with - smeared with
peter out - become exhausted gradually
pitched in-set firmly
drove its length - rode till the destination/ end
hive of activity - teeming with activity
forge ahead - continue moving forward or making progress
prone to something - likely to (suffer) something
gasp for breath-pant, fight for breath pass away - die
be liable to-be responsible/accountable for
run down-stop working
strike up-begin, initiate
tempered by - hardened/toughened by
turn out to be-develop to become someone
Ans.
The title of the article has been named on the historic silk road or routes.
The network connected the Afro-Eurasian landmass.
It established trade of Chinese silk, spices, teas and porcelain; Indian textiles. precious stones and pepper: and the Roman Empire's gold, silver, fine glassware. wine, carpets and jewels.
The road was named Silk Road largely because of the silk trade with China.
In the chapter the author travels to Mount Kailash, exploring the Himalayan belt in Tibet. Since the author explored this region, the article is titled as 'Silk Road'.
Ans.
Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China's imperial courts as hunting dogs.
They were brought along the Silk Road in ancient times as tribute from Tibet.
They were huge black dogs used as watchdogs.
They explode into action like bullets. They are furious and fearless.
Ans.
Hor was a grim, miserable place. The dust and rocks were scattered everywhere in abundance there was little vegetation.
The place seemed unfortunate and dejected, though it sat on the shore of the Lake Manasarovar.
The author was flabbergasted to realise the contrast in his experience to that of the earlier read accounts.
A Japanese monk. Ekal Kawaguchi, who had arrived there in 1990. was so moved by the tears.
on sanctity of the lake that he burst into The hallowed waters had a Sven Hedin, a similar effect not prone to sentimental outbursts.
However, for the author, Swede who was when he reached Hor, first he had to get two punctures mended.
The only relaxation was the tea served by a Chinese youth in the only cafe in the town, which was constructed from badly painted concrete and had three broken windows.
The good view of the lake through one of them helped to compensate however.
Ans.
The author was disappointed with Darchen.
The high altitude was giving him health problems.
He had a bad cold and was not able to sleep at night.
Since he was one of the early arrivals there weren't any pilgrims coming to the place.
The place was dusty, partially derelict and punctuated by heaps of rubble and refuse
Ans.
The author was disappointed with Darchen.
He also complained of bad health. Tsetan had left for Lhasa.
He was feeling rather lonely with no pilgrims around.
It was then he met Norbu, a Tibetan who too wanted to visit Kailash.
They would be a good team as both of them were academicians who had escaped from the library.
The author started thinking positively and it gave delight and a new enthusiasm. him some
Ans.
Nick Middleton is a Oxford professor as well as an adventurer.
He follows the most difficult terrain through the Silk Road and reaches Mount Kailash.
He visits the holy place to complete the kora going around the place.
Ans.
The author was not physically well when he reached Darchen.
His sinuses were blocked due to the cold wind at Hor and he was not able to sleep well at night.
The next day Tsetan took him to the Darchen medical college and the doctor there gave him some medicine that gave him some relief.
Ans.
The author was feeling rather lonely without Tsetan who had left for Lhasa.
There weren't any pilgrims at Darchen as he had reached the place much early in the season.
It was then he met Norbu who was a Tibetan and also an academician.
He too was there to visit Kailash and they decided to go there together.
Ans.
Tsetan was a good and efficient driver. He drove the car very carefully. During the journey.
He spoke to the author giving information about the places they were visiting.
He was very caring. At Darchen when he found that the author was not well, he took him to the medical college and got medicine for him.
He was a good Buddhist.
Ans.
Tsetan was a good Buddhist and believed that death was not the end of life.
Kailash being a holy place it would be better for him as it would take him to heaven.
Then if the author would die there, it would be bad for his business as his credibility will be at stake in looking after the tourists and later he may not get any customers.
Ans.
The farewell present given by Lhamo to the author when he told her that he was going to Mount Kailash was a long-sleeved sheepskin coats that normally shepherds wore.
Ans.
Their journey to Mount Kailash would involve crossing several high mountain passes.
Tsetan knew the way very well; but the only problem would be snow. He could not say anything for sure until they reached there.
Ans.
While crossing the rocky wilderness they saw solitary drokbas - both men and women well wrapped in sheepskin coats - who were tendingtheir flocks.
They would pause and stare at their car, sometimes waving as they passed.
Ans.
The dogs would cock their great big heads when they became aware of their approach and would fix them in their sights.
As they drew nearer, they would explode into action, speeding directly towards them, like a bullet from a gun and nearly as fas
Ans.
As the river entered the valley, it became wide and mostly clogged with ice.
It appeared brilliant white and glinting in the sunshine.
Ans.
When they were up about 5400 metres from the sea level, the mountain was covered with snow and the author felt his head throbbing horribly.
He took some water from the bottle, which was to help a rapid ascent
Written by: Elizabeth Jennings.
Summary
Glossary
Textbook Questions and answers
The father complains that he does understand his own not child.
Though they have lived together for so many years now i.e., since the time of his son's birth, the father knows nothing of him.
The father tries to build up a relationship with his son from the early years, in a manner when his son began to recognize people around, to crawl and to walk in a desperate attempt.
The father wonders whether he has destroyed the seed of his offspring or sown it where the land belongs to his heir and none is his.
Both father and son continue to speak like strangers now and there seem no signs of understanding in the air between the two.
In traditional belief, the son is created and born to the likings and designs of his father, yet in this case, the father cannot share what his son loves.
Most of the time silence surrounds them. The father's greatest wish is for his son to be "The Prodigal' son who will very soon return to his father's house; the home which he always knew.
This is definitely the better alternative rather than to see his son move out into the world blindly on his own, by himself and fall into trouble.
The father is ready to forgive him at any cost as long as he is able to reshape him up from the long bounded sorrow to a new love.
Both father and son all over the world must learn to live on the same globe and on the same land.
The father finally admits that there are times that he cannot understand himself or why his anger grows from grief.
However they have learnt to put out each other's empty hand and with each other's heart that is longing for something to forgive.
understand (v.) know how someone thinks, feels or behaves
relationship: the way in which two or more people talk, behave or deal with each other
in the air (here) undecided, uncertain relationship
Ans.
The poem does talk of an exclusively
personal experience.
However, we can also call it fairly universal because a conflict like this is quite common in many households.
It is also known as generation gap.
Ans.
The helplessness of the father is highlighted through the depiction of the emotional struggle that he undergoes.
He is aware of the problem and is willing to resolve it, but is unable to do so.
He regrets the lack of a strong emotional bond and proper communication with his son who is also physically distanced from him.
Ans.
Phrases / lines that indicate between the father and the son are:
(1)I do not understand this child.
(2)I know/Nothing of him.
(3) We speak like strangers.
(4) There's no sign/Of understanding in the air
(5) Silence surrounds us.
Ans. No, the poem does not follow a consistent rhyme scheme.
Ans.
The father is unhappy with his son as there is no interaction between the two.
They don't understand each other and are like strangers.
Though they live under the same roof, yet they have nothing common between them.
Their thinking and outlook are totally different.
So they remain separated from each other.
So, the father is deeply troubled.
Ans.
The father is much more tense and upset.
He fails to see where he made a mistake.
He wants to make peace with his son and keep him in the same house. He is willing to forget and forgive the boy. He is only waiting for an excuse.
Ans. The tussle between the aged and the youth is very old and universal. Elders see young ones as their property and try to impose their will on them. As a result the son revolts. The father must try to understand and respect the demands of the son. Not rod but the language of love can bridge the gap and avert the clash.
Written by: Nick Middleton
Summary
Glossary
Textbook Questions and answers
The author left Ravu along with Tsetan and Daniel.
They were heading for Mount Kailash with the intention of completing the kora.
The author had informed Lhamo that they were leaving for Mt. Kailash.
She presented him with a long-sleeved sheepskin coat to protect him from cold.
Tsetan was a good driver. He knew the route that would take them to Mount Kailash.
On their way they came across gazelles nibbling grass.
Later they came across herds of animals. They passed drokbas, who were taking care of their flocks.
There were tents of nomads. They were accompanied by their huge dogs who guarded them.
These dogs were ferocious. They could now see the snow-capped mountains.
The turns on the roads became sharper. Now that they were gaining heights the author felt pressure building up in his ears.
They were 5,210 metres above the sea level. The road was snow covered.
They were afraid that their car could turn over. Both Daniel and the author flung handful of dirt across the frozen surface.
They could continue their journey. By now they were 5.400 metres above the sea level as they continued their climb.
They stopped the car and opened the lid of the petrol tank to let out gas which had accumulated as a result of low atmospheric pressure which expanded the fuel.
They were now crossing a pass. After some time they came to the other side of the pass.
At two o'clock they stopped for lunch and ate hot noodles inside long canvas tent.
A work camp was erected beside a dry salt lake.
The plateau is covered with salt flats and small parts of the Tethys Ocean, which bordered Tibet.
This was place full of activities. The workmen here wore sunglasses to avoid glare.
Trucks were emerging laden with piles of salt.
By late afternoon they reached the town of Hor.
They were back on the main east-west highway that followed the old trade route from Lhasa to Kashmir.
At this point Daniel returned to Lhasa. The author and Tsetan got two tyres repaired.
There was Hor was a grim, miserable place. no vegetation, just dust and rocks and accumulated refuse.
The town was on the shore of Lake Manasarovar, an ancient Hindu and Buddhist pinpoints.
It is also a source of four great rivers: the Ganges, the Sutlej, the Indus and the Brahmaputra.
Only Sutlej flows from the lake, the other three rise on the flanks of Mt. Kailash.
The author had tea in the only cafe in Hor. Later they drove on to Mt. Kailash.
After 10:30 pm they drove on to Darchen.
They were 4760 metres above sea level.
One of his nostrils was blocked. He began to breathe through his mouth.
But when he sat up the movement cleared his nostril. But he could not sleep.
Tsetan took the author to the Darchen medical college next morning.
A Tibetan doctor treated him. He said it was the effect of cold and the altitude.
On asking the doctor told him he would be able the to do the kora.
He came out of the hospital with and a packet containing 15 days medicine. That night four the author slept well.
Later Tsetan returned to Lhasa. Darchen gave him a clear view of the Himalayas.
But there were no pilgrims. The author had come all the way to complete Kora, a Tibetan pilgrimage and a type of meditative practice.
Sitting in the cafe the author came across Norbu. They became friends. Norbu was a Tibetan working for Chinese Academy of gh Social Science in Beijing.
He also had come to do kora.
He was happy to meet the author as both were academicians. Norbu suggested that they should hire yaks to carry their luggage.
size someone up-check someone out
clamber into - (here) get into clumsily
get off-climb down from something
bound away-jump away, leaping forward
en masse - in group
Ease off-slacken off, reduce tension
clogged with - obstructed/blocked with
doubled with - smeared with
peter out - become exhausted gradually
pitched in-set firmly
drove its length - rode till the destination/ end
hive of activity - teeming with activity
forge ahead - continue moving forward or making progress
prone to something - likely to (suffer) something
gasp for breath-pant, fight for breath pass away - die
be liable to-be responsible/accountable for
run down-stop working
strike up-begin, initiate
tempered by - hardened/toughened by
turn out to be-develop to become someone
Ans.
The title of the article has been named on the historic silk road or routes.
The network connected the Afro-Eurasian landmass.
It established trade of Chinese silk, spices, teas and porcelain; Indian textiles. precious stones and pepper: and the Roman Empire's gold, silver, fine glassware. wine, carpets and jewels.
The road was named Silk Road largely because of the silk trade with China.
In the chapter the author travels to Mount Kailash, exploring the Himalayan belt in Tibet. Since the author explored this region, the article is titled as 'Silk Road'.
Ans.
Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China's imperial courts as hunting dogs.
They were brought along the Silk Road in ancient times as tribute from Tibet.
They were huge black dogs used as watchdogs.
They explode into action like bullets. They are furious and fearless.
Ans.
Hor was a grim, miserable place. The dust and rocks were scattered everywhere in abundance there was little vegetation.
The place seemed unfortunate and dejected, though it sat on the shore of the Lake Manasarovar.
The author was flabbergasted to realise the contrast in his experience to that of the earlier read accounts.
A Japanese monk. Ekal Kawaguchi, who had arrived there in 1990. was so moved by the tears.
on sanctity of the lake that he burst into The hallowed waters had a Sven Hedin, a similar effect not prone to sentimental outbursts.
However, for the author, Swede who was when he reached Hor, first he had to get two punctures mended.
The only relaxation was the tea served by a Chinese youth in the only cafe in the town, which was constructed from badly painted concrete and had three broken windows.
The good view of the lake through one of them helped to compensate however.
Ans.
The author was disappointed with Darchen.
The high altitude was giving him health problems.
He had a bad cold and was not able to sleep at night.
Since he was one of the early arrivals there weren't any pilgrims coming to the place.
The place was dusty, partially derelict and punctuated by heaps of rubble and refuse
Ans.
The author was disappointed with Darchen.
He also complained of bad health. Tsetan had left for Lhasa.
He was feeling rather lonely with no pilgrims around.
It was then he met Norbu, a Tibetan who too wanted to visit Kailash.
They would be a good team as both of them were academicians who had escaped from the library.
The author started thinking positively and it gave delight and a new enthusiasm. him some
Ans.
Nick Middleton is a Oxford professor as well as an adventurer.
He follows the most difficult terrain through the Silk Road and reaches Mount Kailash.
He visits the holy place to complete the kora going around the place.
Ans.
The author was not physically well when he reached Darchen.
His sinuses were blocked due to the cold wind at Hor and he was not able to sleep well at night.
The next day Tsetan took him to the Darchen medical college and the doctor there gave him some medicine that gave him some relief.
Ans.
The author was feeling rather lonely without Tsetan who had left for Lhasa.
There weren't any pilgrims at Darchen as he had reached the place much early in the season.
It was then he met Norbu who was a Tibetan and also an academician.
He too was there to visit Kailash and they decided to go there together.
Ans.
Tsetan was a good and efficient driver. He drove the car very carefully. During the journey.
He spoke to the author giving information about the places they were visiting.
He was very caring. At Darchen when he found that the author was not well, he took him to the medical college and got medicine for him.
He was a good Buddhist.
Ans.
Tsetan was a good Buddhist and believed that death was not the end of life.
Kailash being a holy place it would be better for him as it would take him to heaven.
Then if the author would die there, it would be bad for his business as his credibility will be at stake in looking after the tourists and later he may not get any customers.
Ans.
The farewell present given by Lhamo to the author when he told her that he was going to Mount Kailash was a long-sleeved sheepskin coats that normally shepherds wore.
Ans.
Their journey to Mount Kailash would involve crossing several high mountain passes.
Tsetan knew the way very well; but the only problem would be snow. He could not say anything for sure until they reached there.
Ans.
While crossing the rocky wilderness they saw solitary drokbas - both men and women well wrapped in sheepskin coats - who were tendingtheir flocks.
They would pause and stare at their car, sometimes waving as they passed.
Ans.
The dogs would cock their great big heads when they became aware of their approach and would fix them in their sights.
As they drew nearer, they would explode into action, speeding directly towards them, like a bullet from a gun and nearly as fas
Ans.
As the river entered the valley, it became wide and mostly clogged with ice.
It appeared brilliant white and glinting in the sunshine.
Ans.
When they were up about 5400 metres from the sea level, the mountain was covered with snow and the author felt his head throbbing horribly.
He took some water from the bottle, which was to help a rapid ascent
Written by: Elizabeth Jennings.
Summary
Glossary
Textbook Questions and answers
The father complains that he does understand his own not child.
Though they have lived together for so many years now i.e., since the time of his son's birth, the father knows nothing of him.
The father tries to build up a relationship with his son from the early years, in a manner when his son began to recognize people around, to crawl and to walk in a desperate attempt.
The father wonders whether he has destroyed the seed of his offspring or sown it where the land belongs to his heir and none is his.
Both father and son continue to speak like strangers now and there seem no signs of understanding in the air between the two.
In traditional belief, the son is created and born to the likings and designs of his father, yet in this case, the father cannot share what his son loves.
Most of the time silence surrounds them. The father's greatest wish is for his son to be "The Prodigal' son who will very soon return to his father's house; the home which he always knew.
This is definitely the better alternative rather than to see his son move out into the world blindly on his own, by himself and fall into trouble.
The father is ready to forgive him at any cost as long as he is able to reshape him up from the long bounded sorrow to a new love.
Both father and son all over the world must learn to live on the same globe and on the same land.
The father finally admits that there are times that he cannot understand himself or why his anger grows from grief.
However they have learnt to put out each other's empty hand and with each other's heart that is longing for something to forgive.
understand (v.) know how someone thinks, feels or behaves
relationship: the way in which two or more people talk, behave or deal with each other
in the air (here) undecided, uncertain relationship
Ans.
The poem does talk of an exclusively
personal experience.
However, we can also call it fairly universal because a conflict like this is quite common in many households.
It is also known as generation gap.
Ans.
The helplessness of the father is highlighted through the depiction of the emotional struggle that he undergoes.
He is aware of the problem and is willing to resolve it, but is unable to do so.
He regrets the lack of a strong emotional bond and proper communication with his son who is also physically distanced from him.
Ans.
Phrases / lines that indicate between the father and the son are:
(1)I do not understand this child.
(2)I know/Nothing of him.
(3) We speak like strangers.
(4) There's no sign/Of understanding in the air
(5) Silence surrounds us.
Ans. No, the poem does not follow a consistent rhyme scheme.
Ans.
The father is unhappy with his son as there is no interaction between the two.
They don't understand each other and are like strangers.
Though they live under the same roof, yet they have nothing common between them.
Their thinking and outlook are totally different.
So they remain separated from each other.
So, the father is deeply troubled.
Ans.
The father is much more tense and upset.
He fails to see where he made a mistake.
He wants to make peace with his son and keep him in the same house. He is willing to forget and forgive the boy. He is only waiting for an excuse.
Ans. The tussle between the aged and the youth is very old and universal. Elders see young ones as their property and try to impose their will on them. As a result the son revolts. The father must try to understand and respect the demands of the son. Not rod but the language of love can bridge the gap and avert the clash.
