Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith

Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith by Brandon Wilson is a nonfiction travel narrative set in Tibet.

Summary

In 1992, the Author, his wife Cheryl, and their Tibetan horse Sadhu set off on an ancient 1000-kilometer (650-mile) pilgrimage trail from Lhasa, Tibet, to Kathmandu, Nepal.

The original motivation for the journey is to become the first Western couple to complete it. However, there are political and spiritual issues that the couple learn must be reconciled. On their journey through the Himalayan plains they encounter sandstorms, blizzards, high altitude and thin air, as well as political bureaucracy, guns, and uncertainty about food and the next step of their journey.

The narrative also describes the couple's warm encounters with Tibetan families along the way, giving insight into 1990s life in Tibet, a country struggling to survive Chinese occupation and cultural destruction--while retaining faith in the Dalai Lama's return.

Awards

In June 2005, Yak Butter Blues received an Independent Publisher "IPPY" Award Honorable Mention in the Travel Essay division.

See also

• Seven Years in Tibet - the account of two Austrians who walked from India to Tibet in the 1940s.

Citations

• Brandon Wilson (2005): Yak Butter Blues: A Tibetan Trek of Faith: Pilgrim's Tales, ISBN 0-9770536-6-0 (trade paperback), ISBN 0-9770536-7-9 (hardcover) 2nd EDition

References

• Yak Butter Blues, with expedition photos, music, maps and useful Tibet links.