Yakity-Yak

The yak is very important to life on the Tibetan plateau. Most yaks we see are domesticated and a kind of mix between a bull and a wild yak. The farmers use yaks for their yak-power (for farming the fields), meat, skin, hair, bones, and milk (for butter, yogurt, and cheese). Yaks are amazing creatures...surviving the haaa-arsh Tibetan climates year-round, munching grass, and living out in the open. Despite their massive, bulky shape, we saw them tip-toeing daintily (Fred Flintstone-esque) along the most narrow of cliffs! Usually, we'd see yaks with no shepherd, but I managed to snap a picture of this yak-herder through our window as we whizzed by:

I should mention that he looks like a "typical" Tibetan in many ways...in features and in clothing as well. The men often have pretty turquoise earrings and long braids that are wrapped around their heads, interwoven with bright-coloured cloth and large beads. Really beautiful, in my opinion.

And here's me, about to eat a yak burger:
Not bad. Very similar to beef. I also had the privilege of trying Yak Butter Tea, the drink of choice for every Tibetan. Think about this for a second. Yak. Butter. Tea. Yes, it tasted exactly like it sounds. A nice cup of...hot butter. Mmmm-mmmmm!