[andysandmikesmom]

When Andy trekked further and further into the backlands of Tibet, where the nomads live, he did so at some peril, he and some of his fellow trekkers...thumbing their noses at Chinese authority and rules, they did not obtain the expensive permits to travel where they did, and always had to be on the alert for the Chinese police...

But they had hiked so far into Tibet, that they felt the lazy Chinese police would not trek that far into backland Tibet, just to catch a few trekkers without permits...

They were then pretty free to visit monasteries, where few westerners have gone, and were free to live with the nomads for a few days....

Living with the nomads was really one of Andys greatest and most treasured times of his trip....my most treasured souvenirs, that Andy brought to me, were the traditional boots, apron, purse and prayer wheel that he brought us from the traditional merchants from the backlands of Tibet...not the crap you find in souvenir stores, but stuff handmade by the people with whom he was staying..

[palo verde]

I give andy lotsa credit
the britishers on the everest expedition are having miserable time in Tibet (under thumb of Chinese)
but Andy managed to get far away from the chinese government and police
and have wonderful experience in Tibet
that is miraculous