Touched By Tibet

Last night I completed a book I found at a secondhand bookstore in Koh Lanta, Thailand. I had been planning to travel to Tibet next year, so when my eyes fell upon For Tibet With Love, I of course saw that as a sign! But the book isn't about Tibet. Instead it's about the author, Isabel Losada's, experience of discovering, learning about, fighting for and falling in love with Tibet. And despite the preachy tagline 'A Beginner's Guide To Changing The World', there is nothing preachy about her storytelling.

I absolutely loved the book! Losada speaks with honesty, candidness, wit and passion. Her strengths and weaknesses have an equal place in the spotlight and not once does she ramble on about how her life has changed or how wonderful it is to be good to mankind. Rather, she articulates thoughts that all of us would have harboured at some point in our lives but would rather have our teeth pulled out than admit it. There's no subterfuge of any sort and she lays her cards out right from the start - she has written the book to raise awareness about the plight of Tibetans and to hopefully inspire more people to stand up for the country. I read it with a cocktail of emotions ranging from amazement and admiration to horror and disgust. The best bit is when she meets the Dalai Lama. That's when I took comfort in the fact that I'm not the only person who is reduced to idiocy in the presence of those I hold in high regard.

For Tibet With Lovealso gently unveiled my ignorance. I had met a lovely Tibetan lady two years ago while travelling in Goa and though she told me how she fled Tibet to seek refuge in India, I'm ashamed to say that it didn't strike a nerve. Now it has and I'm more determined than ever to set foot in this country.

P/S: Highly recommended especially to those who think China is God's gift to mankind.