The Sera Monastery the Cultural Revolution Mao passed reasonably well and it is definitely worth a visit

This time in 'The story behind "a photo series of debating monks. Lhasa, capital of Tibet, has three major monasteries: Ganden, Drepung and Sera.  The monks in the picture belong to the monastery of Sera. The monastery got its name because it was used behind a hill that was covered with wild roses (Sera means Wild Rose in Tibetan). Lived there before the Chinese invasion more than 5,000 monks, now there are only a few hundred. Moreover, it is this time strongly controlled by the Chinese police and there are lots of rules to which the inhabitants of monasteries must comply. Also there is teeming Chinese spies who keep a close eye on what is being said and by whom.  Monks, and especially in the large, powerful monasteries of Lhasa, which occupy a special position in Tibet. Monasteries are not only religious places, traditionally the political institutions largely determine the price momentum of the country.

The Sera Monastery the Cultural Revolution Mao passed reasonably well and it is definitely worth a visit. We visited between three and five o'clock in the afternoon, when there always is debated (except Sundays). Super interesting to see how the students try to convince each other of their religious views.


If you've been once in India, you know that this is a rather exciting experience. On each face. All those smells, colors, sounds; Your senses are constantly put at work. Deadly tiring but oh so special :-) . During our last trip through North India, we also went to the border with Pakistan. That sounds dangerous than it is though. About half an hour's drive from Amritsar contains a border crossing where they rebuild an entire party every day around closing the borders. That seemed to us a special experience, so at the end of the afternoon; hop in a taxi to the border. I did not know what I saw! Thousands of Indians and Pakistanis gather on their own side of the border and shouting filled patriotism across. Not aggressive, a little more comical mischief or so :-) . They wave flags, chant a hundred times' India, India! " and then march foreign military police officers to the border far to literally throw the door. And finished. And that every day.

I found this really one of the most bizarre moments trip ever. Looking ahead, also on the Pakistani side where all the women are fully veiled. So close at that time and yet so far away. If you are ever near Amritsar, skip this trip then really not. Any taxi can take you there. Agree or that the driver is also waiting for you, otherwise you have a problem. And make sure you're at the end of the afternoon and do something airy with

No, it's not a Koran reading book or what does this man in his hand. Although a Bible you might not expect in this part of Africa, is that really the case. As many as 63% of the nearly 100 million people in Ethiopia belongs to Christianity.

This picture was taken in one of the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela . Shortly after sunrise, when the light is beautiful gold color, my girlfriend and I were looking for the most famous rock church complex: Beth Giorgis. After having paid entrance and have pledged not to make films with my digital camera, otherwise a hefty fee, we could set off. As expected, the sun was nice angle to the churches, creating beautiful, long shadows. There was a ceremony going on with a lot of incense, singing and humming. There was a beautiful serene atmosphere.

Because I was afraid to ruin it with my camera and huge telephoto lens (70-300), I sit down at a distance. After about fifteen minutes the man came right down to us and started in a niche imperturbable to read his Bible. It took me no effort to take some pictures of him with it as best result. Very nice how the shadow is about half his body and face. Furthermore, the old, ragged cover of the bible jumps nice. It shows that a believer is his Bible used intensively. The white dress that he wears does moreover suggests that it is a priest, since it will often dressed in virginal white dress.

At the end of the morning so I had to sit quietly at a distance, two birds with one stone; a great morning which I enjoyed, and a beautiful picture!