My Journey to Lhasa

I bought this book at a small book store on the main street in Leh, Ladakh, India after completing a wintertime camping trip in the foothills of the Himalayas. I couldn't resist reading about a white woman's efforts to walk to the forbidden city of Lhasa in the 1920's. I read it on the flight home, and it really felt true to my experiences. The mountains, frozen rivers, passes, and desert conditions were harsh but gorgeous. Her running river crossings on what were basically zip lines were terrifying to read about, as were her encounters with bandits. She was always sturggling to avoid her disguise being penetrated, as well as to just survive in harsh conditions. She'd studied Tibetan, was a Buddist, and had a semi local travelling show more companion, but she had to think on her feet and do some personally distasteful things in order to throw off suspicion. I'm hoping to dig up some of her other books about her time as a hermit in the mountains, her writing is evocative and spirited and very readable. show less

For many people it may not be easy to imagine what things were like "back in the day". Especially not when it concerns more than 100 years ago, or, as in this book, in a country that was officially closed to foreigners, Tibet.
Moreover, at the time of the book (1927 and before) there was already the threat of the British and Indians, the Russians and the Chinese communists.
In this book, Alexandra talks in a sometimes matter-of-fact way about the beauty and wilderness of Tibet, Tibetan customs and superstitions, and the thrill of traveling incognito to avoid the risk of being arrested and sent back.
There are many men who traveled the world as adventurers, but it is very special that a woman like Alexandra made these journeys and left show more behind such personal accounts.
The fact that Tibet is still violently occupied by China makes this book still relevant. show less

A remarkable journey, by an extraordinary woman who led an epic life - for all of 100 years. The rigours, hardships and danger of travel in Tibet, towards the forbidden city of Lhasa, by Alexandra David-Neel and her adopted son, disguised as poor pilgrims is a fascinating read. The language and descriptions - with all credit to the anonymous translator, are vivid yet nuanced.

Expérience intéressante de découverte d'une terre "inconnue" à l'époque par une véritable aventurière. Le style est tout de même très empesé et peut nuire à la lecture. Typiquement 19ème.

Seeker, adventurer, pilgrim and scholar, David-Neel (1858-1969) was the first European woman to explore the once-forbidden city of Lhasa. This memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet - including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water.
fragment: Die ochtend scheen een stralende zon in een helderblauwe lucht en deed de door de winterse vrieskou uitgedroogde gele aarde oplichten. Het was begin februari, men zakte nog diep weg in de sneeuw die de lanen vn het grote klooster van Kum Bum en de nabijgelegen bergtoppen bedekte, maar de wegen hulden zich in een lenteachtig licht.

1924. Pour la première fois, une femme étrangère réussit à entrer dans Lhassa, capitale interdite du Tibet ! Huit mois auront été nécessaires à Alexandra David-Néel pour relever ce défi extraordianire ! Huit mois d'un long périple à travers les immenses solitudes du " pays des Neiges ". Huit mois d'une vie rude et dangereuse sous l'apparence d'une mendiante tibétaine ! À une époque ou personne ne parle de " raid ", et encore moins quand il s'agit d'une femme, c'est un magnifique exploit et une aventure exceptionnelle que nous décrit ici l'auteur ! Elle y ajoute sa propre quête spirituelle, et ce regard fasciné qu'elle porte sur la civilisation tibétaine.

Das Leben von Alexandra David-Neel ist unglaublich, war es zu ihrer Zeit und wäre es heute noch. Die kleine Französin wurde über hundert Jahre alt, bereiste als Frau Tibet, war jahrzehntelang unterwegs.