So, I arrived in Lhasa, Tibet, a few hours ago. I’d heard there was a bit of a snuff taking tradition here, so as soon as I arrived, I went looking around a dew likely looking general stores and stalls selling ciggies. Score! The very second shop I tried had some Indian snuff, a brand I’ve never heard of before, Rajaram Hazrowala, very similar to Dholakia White. Only $1.20 per hundred grams. Oddly, after the first shop, I didn’t find any others selling it, til I got to a tea house with an old woman selling cigarettes, she had an unscented brown in plain bags for the same price, a bit like Toque Quit. People laugh when they see me take it, its mainly something for old peasants in the country, although bus drivers are said to use it a bit, and some traditional minded young women who don’t want to be seen smoking. What a place! I’m a bit knocked out by the altitude right now – if you fly straight in to 3700m, altitude sickness gives most people a rough day or two. Even climbing one flight of stairs is a knock out.
I’m jealous. I hope you are having a grand time!
fantastic journey…Is the Chinese presence felt there? Maybe you will discover more exotic snuff. :(|)
Tomorrow I’m going to check the local market, not the one near my hotel, that one mainly sells tourist bric-a-brac. Lhasa is now a VERY Chinese town. 79 percent of the population is Chinese, and they own all the big businesses. Still, the old Tibetan town, where I’m staying, is still very Tibetan. I live in Indonesia, and I’ve often visited the papuan provinces. It reminds me of that. The Tibetans are the underclass, just like the papuans, in their own land.
wow…I can imagine Buddhism is under siege, I bet it is still a very colorful & interesting trip…Can you take all the snuff your suitcase can hold back with you? or are you limited…Could be the chance of a lifetime to procure some exotics…good looking women??? :(|)
fantastic journey. what is it you are doing there again? just visiting? business? or? jealous, for sure, here. cheers!
i think you can find some antique snuff boxes too.
Most of the “antique snuff boxes” are designed for tourists who would never use the bottles for any practical purpose, I’m afraid! I’d love to bring back five kilos of the Indian snuff, but customs might raise an eyebrow. I do have a visa that doesn’t give a specific limit for tobacco, it just says “reasonable amounts for personal use.” While I’m sure many snuffhouse members would say that five kilos is a “reasonable amount”, you do have to see this from LE’s perspective. I just loaded my plastic box with the Indian snuff, lets see if my affection for it survives a days full use.
Have a fantastic voyage.
@snuffysmiff, the women aren’t really the classic Asian beauties, but they smile easily and are fun to chat with. They have strong features and reddish skin. With wide hats and beads they look a bit like 19th century photos of native Americans. Despite my suspicion of Chinese politics and society, I really think the Chinese, and the North Vietnamese, women are Asia’s most beautiful, with apologies to a former Indonesian wife and a number of other Indonesian women friends over the years.
Just back from the market with my morning haul. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that so far, the only Tibetan word I’ve learned is “natta”. Guess what it means?
Ah, the attachment didn’t come through. Well, that’s Tibetan buddhism for you: no aattachments.
Keep updating us on your trip as i think many are enjoying living vicariously through your trip. Photo’s would be great.
Hi JakartaBoy If possible Pl give more info on the snuff scene here I too hope to visit these parts some day in the near future
@sixphoto, I’ve seen 5 Photos snuff, but not your brand or dholakia, which are the Indians I’ve tried before. Certainly a market here! But I’m only an end user, without any language skills or contacts, so I ddon’t think I can give you any useful introductions .
Sounds like a great trip. Will you get to say Hello(to the) Dalai ?
Can you mail snuff home? Enjoy the trip; got pictures?
The Dalai Lama is settled in Dharamshala town of India for a long time now
what a place, old women selling snuff in plain bags in a tea house! they should have that in the USA! lol
… Will you get to say Hello(to the) Dalai ?
Unlikely, since he fled the Country in 1959 & has never returned.
My question was meant as a joke, turned out to be an airplane joke 