Take a moment- to where does the mind drift?

The air feels thin and so cold, I can track it flowing up my nostrils and leaving a chill in my throat as it travels down to my lungs. My chest feel constricted as if I can no longer take deep restorative breaths and my ears are experiencing a pounding ringing sensation.

From this high point the valley looks lush, green and toy like. A world away where Yaks slowly graze on the wide open spaces, tiny black dots that resemble flies on sandpaper. Here rocks decorate the steep sides and the narrow winding path clutches the edge of the mountain. Perilous. There’s a harshness to this place, but the bleak greyness is broken up by brightly coloured prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Catching the eye and lifting the spirit. The sky is a beautiful clear light blue with a pale sun casting its brightening rays on us however there is no warmth from it and a chill creeps into the bones.

Smoke curls around in mystical shapes as it snakes its way up into the atmosphere, the woody smell reaching my nose and reminding me of bonfire night.

A woman with bright piercing eyes in a wizened face beams as she hands me a shallow dish containing a steaming yellow liquid. The warmth of the bowl makes my fingers tingle and start to waken up as the blood responds to the heat. Her black dress is offset with a gaudy shawl splashed with many colours brightening the austere appearance created by her dark hair scraped back into a bun. Her friendly welcome makes me feel like I belong here and I am part of this world.

The liquid is salty and fatty leaving a sweet cloying aftertaste and a coating on the roof of my mouth. It’s something I wouldn’t even consider drinking in Britain but here it feels the natural thing to do. As deep reverberations from mountain horns penetrate into my soul and the warmth from the butter tea warms my body like liquid gold I feel comfortable, safe and free.