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Dialogue

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Heaven soaked in honey is
far less seductive than you my beloved country.

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Lonesome nights are many,
time drips like viscous honey.

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And to orphans like us,
there is no midnight story.

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BRINGING TIBET HOME

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Ladies and gentlemen, we are now going to have
the session on Tibetan artists in exile

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and it's my pleasure to introduce
to you Tenzing Rigdol.

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There is a single word that
comprehensively defines the following:

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A victim, a guinea pig, an ostrich -
a bird size of a truth,

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Dante's Inferno within the jewels of Himalaya,

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an Avatar with 1.2 million dead
and still counting.

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However, in recent times, the same word has
been fermenting new ripples of meanings

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that restlessly expresses frustration, anger, youth
and the desire for independence.

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The word is Tibet, my country and I am an
on-going experience of that word

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along with other six million Tibetans.

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I'm a Tibetan artist and a poet.

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For me it's very difficult to separate
myself from art I think.

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It has overpowered me or possessed me.

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It has influenced every aspect of my life.

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I think art is like, for me personally...
it's an addiction.

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Or it's also like meditation.

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The Tibetan word for meditation is "Gom"

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or the word, "Gomshi", which means
to put something into habit

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and when you put that into habit
for a long time

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then the idea is, you become that
person effortlessly.

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To be an artist is to be honest.

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And the expression of honesty comes
from what you think and feel.

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Whereas the methods are concerned,
how you want to express it?

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I think, I really don't have a method.

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So what I do is, I look at a subject
matter without a method

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and then later on I try to look for a method
to express that subject matter.

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My eyes are red, wet and swollen.

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With your ashes blown at my face.

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I see you in threads of whispers
harbored in digital waves.

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Escaping the nozzles of guns and barricades.

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Your cries were doused in selflessness

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like the sun burning herself
to her last breath.

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My frightened fingers braided in fear
reaches out into the abyss.

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My knees are nailed to the ground
and palms chiselled into a spear.

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And in the moment of despair, I tremble.

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Who would be the next...

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In Tibet, there is no such thing as
freedom of expression.

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Anything you say or that somehow hints
a kind of criticism to the Chinese government

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will get you imprisoned, you are killed.
Not only you but your whole family.

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Your friends will be tortured too.

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Basically they are attacking on Tibetan language,
Tibetan culture, customs.

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So it's a very systematic way of getting
rid of the Tibetan identity.

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The latest pictures from China, of a monk
setting fire to himself.

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Most of them swallow petrol
first and...

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And now more people are protesting against it.

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There is a stream of self-immolation happening.

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At present, the number is around
one hundred.

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The people in Tibet, they want
basic human rights

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and they want the Dalai Lama to come
back to Tibet, you know.

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Some would say my work is political but
I'd say may be my work is just honest.

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I'm naturally influenced by my past, my parent's
past and my whole country's past

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because I am a product of what
has happened in Tibet.

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My parents were both from Tibet.

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They were born there and then they had to
leave due to the Chinese invasion.

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They studied in India and later settled in
Nepal, that's where I was born.

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And then we were granted political asylum
in New York.

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My mother used to be a
carpet designer.

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So in so many ways I started getting some
kind of training or tutelage from my mother.

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Because I still remember painting in her
studio on the floor.

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My mother always appreciated my art.

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My father, didn't speak much about it.

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He was worried I might end up wasting my
life just doing artwork.

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So at that time there was this idea that
if you are an artist

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you have to be poor and miserable
and all those stuff, you know.

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But at the same time, my father, he would
be the one to buy me the colors.

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When he was diagnosed with cancer,
I was with him in the hospital.

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The doctor gave him a maximum
time of six months.

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So I stopped painting, I stopped
doing my work.

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But he would insist me to work.

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So if I had to work, I would just work
beside his bed and then

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sometimes I'd just read him stories or just
talk with him...

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Yeah.

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And that's when he started talking
about Tibet - his birth place.

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He was born in Lhobra.

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And he used to say: Oh you know,
when I was young, our family used to manufacture inks

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for monasteries and he told me about the
process of making ink

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that later on gets used into printing scriptures.

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All those things were coming back to him
you know and...

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There was one time when he said, I really
want to go back before I die.

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But then I was helpless.

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There was nothing we could do.
I mean, the doctor gave us only a few months.

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I must have been 4 or 5 years old when
I escaped Tibet into Nepal.

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I don't remember that well.

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When the Chinese first came into Tibet
there was a great sense of fear.

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Our parents told us kids to hide in
the goat shed.

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I remember the sense of fear.

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When we arrived in Nepal, we first stayed in
Solukhumbu near the Tibetan border.

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That's because we heard rumors that
Tibet will be free again soon.

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So we thought it would be easier to return
to Tibet if we stayed there.

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But then three years went by and we couldn't
go home, so we finally moved to India.

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My father recently passed away.

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For me it's very recent. It's still in my head...
all the time.

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He passed away stateless.
He only had a green card.

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But he's lived like a vagabond - in Nepal,
in India and in the US.

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So that's, I think how all the Tibetan
refugees are, you know.

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There isn't a place - a permanant place and deep
down, they always want to go back to their country.

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China out of Tibet now! China
out of Tibet now!

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Stop the killings in Tibet! Stop
the killings in Tibet.

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Shame on Chinese government! Shame
on Chinese government!

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So when my father passed away, somehow
that idea hit me really strong.

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And then I was thinking, there are so many
others just like my father

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who cannot go back to Tibet due to
political reasons.

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So all of a sudden one night
I had this idea...

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If they cannot go back there, then is there
any other way that i could somehow

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bring Tibet to them?

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Basically the genesis of the idea
really came from...

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..from what my father used to say
and my father's death.

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And one night I just thought, Ok, this
is what I want to do!

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I want to bring 20,000 kilograms
of soil from Tibet to India

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and lay it down on a platform

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and then have people walk on it.

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So that it becomes a kind of a reminder

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that will tell them like

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whatever you feel right now, you will feel
it hundred times more

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when you step on Tibet - real Tibet!

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Just the idea of what you are missing.

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If you keep shooting like that, people will
wonder who I am.

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As long as they don’t think
I am a Chinese.

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We Tibetans are funny.

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Don't you feel that way sometimes too?

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When people ask are you Chinese,
you feel unhappy.

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When people ask are you Japanese
You feel great!

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So where are you going first?

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First to Nepal.

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Flying to Kathmandu?
- Yeah, Kathmandu.

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A few days there.

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Make sure that the plan and everything is ready.

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From there to the Tibetan border and
then to the Indian border.

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But I think the plan may change because

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Of course.
- Over there nobody knows.

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Something might take longer,
or it might be quicker.

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Give my best to your mom.
- OK.

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Tell her not to worry.

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Say a good prayer.
- Yes, I did.

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We should get going now.
- Hold on.

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May you have a safe journey with no obstacles
and may your work succeed.

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And the same wishes and prayers
for you too.

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Thank you.

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Nepal is where I was born and
where I spent most of my childhood.

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It's an important place for Tibetan refugees because
it's located right between Tibet and India.

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After we lost Tibet in 1959

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thousands of Tibetan refugees escaping from Tibet
have made Nepal their home.

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Which includes my parents and
my relatives.

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Once I decided on doing the soil project,
I contacted my childhood friend who lives in Nepal.

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And I said I have this idea that I want
to work on and asked his help

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and he said, yeah, let's try.

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The first thing was for us to make a rule.

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The rule was for us not to involve anyone
living in Tibet who are Tibetans

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so that they don't get in trouble.

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So that's how we started the project.

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It's not going through.
Says it cannot connect.

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So the border is here, right?

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This is where the Chinese are and
this is where the Nepalese are.

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Yes, that's Nepalese area but even there
you see a lot of Chinese.

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They come into Nepal. There are
so many spies.

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Spies?

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So if you have Nepalese permit,
you can go up to this point, right?

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Yes you can go up to that point,
but it’s a sensitive area.

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You have to be very careful.

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They can easily pick you up.

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So before we meet our guy today, it’s easier

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if I know exactly what you told him
about the project.

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So the first thing is, he's from Nepal and he lives
with his family here in Nepal right?

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Second, what did you tell him we are going
to do with the soil?

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I told him we are building a Stupa (Temple)
here in Nepal.

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Other than that, he doesn't know anything
about the project?

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No, he just thinks we are building a stupa.

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And you met this guy through another guy?

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So how much does that guy know?

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I've cleared everything with the first guy.

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What can we do to make sure that
they don't become suspicious?

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There is no reason for him to become suspicious.
It's just a business deal for him.

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Can you call Father?
Rigdol is here.

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Touch your foreheads.

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Father, these are Rigdol's friends.

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Father cannot hear well.
He's eighty years old.

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I'm trying to get some soil
from Tibet and...

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You mean soil?

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Yes, we will bring that soil from Tibet...

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How much? How many kilos?
1 or 2 kilos?

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About 35,000 kilos.
-35 tonnes.

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35 tonnes? That's a whole container.

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Through Hong Kong?
Or Tatopani?

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Through Nepal and then to
Dharamsala, India.

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And I will lay the soil out
in Dharamsala.

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Wow, it's a big project.

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You know, there are so many Tibetan exiles
in Dharamsala.

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Yes, there are countless, numerous.

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So, I want to give them this experience.

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00:22:01:18

I am totally amazed. This
is very exclusive!

00:22:02:07

00:22:05:15

You guys are young and educated,
but as a local, I can tell you one thing.

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You have to be really careful.

00:22:06:23

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Here, there are so many Tibetan spies
working for the Chinese.

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They will be really friendly.
Tibetans who can speak very fluent Chinese.

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They get money out of this.

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Forget about shouting Free Tibet here.

00:22:21:09

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They arrested Tibetans even for lighting
a butter lamp here.

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They'll tell you that you are not praying
but protesting against the Chinese.

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When I first landed, it was the birthday of
Tibetan spiritual leader, the Karmapa.

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There was a heavily armed police
presence everywhere

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to stop the Tibetans from observing the day.

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It doesn’t feel the same in Nepal.

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In the past, even though Nepal
wasn't rich

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there was a sense of peace and calm here.
People had smiles on their faces.

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It used to feel like a flower blooming.

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00:23:04:21

But now, it feels like the color has faded.

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Here in Nepal, people have a certain
sense of paranoia.

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When they see the police, everyone gets
kind of nervous and fearful.

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So if I sum up the last five days,

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In one sentence

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00:23:47:11

the theme is, "Don't trust anyone."

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Where is the spy cam?

00:23:59:03

00:24:03:01

It's right here.
Where should I put it?

00:24:04:07

00:24:06:17

Put one in your front pocket.

00:24:08:17

00:24:15:22

Today we are meeting one of the main guys
who's agreed to help us procure the soil from Tibet.

00:24:16:12

00:24:22:07

But before that, we are setting up
hidden cameras in the room.

00:24:22:19

00:24:26:06

Nepal is a complicated place with lots of
Chinese influence.

00:24:26:12

00:24:29:09

We don't know any background of this
person. He could be anyone.

00:24:29:12

00:24:31:19

He could even be a Chinese spy.

00:24:32:04

00:24:36:14

So in an unfortunate circumstance
if our project is leaked

00:24:36:22

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we might get into trouble.
And if that happens

00:24:40:08

00:24:43:15

maybe this footage can help us
in some ways.

00:24:46:15

00:24:48:13

It's him.
Yeah. Say hello.

00:24:48:18

00:24:50:14

Hello?

00:24:51:01

00:24:55:15

Yes, I am here at the hotel.

00:24:57:04

00:25:00:11

Yes, call me again when you are here.
I'll come and get you.

00:25:02:00

00:25:04:12

Alright, bye.

00:25:05:02

00:25:06:00

Hello.

00:25:06:09

00:25:07:17

Hello.

00:25:08:13

00:25:12:04

Please have a seat.

00:25:12:13

00:25:19:10

So it took a long time to get here.
The car broke down.

00:25:19:10

00:25:21:18

I see, I see.

00:25:21:18

00:25:23:20

So let me ask you about the soil. Are you
truly serious about this?

00:25:24:03

00:25:24:17

Yes, I am truly serious.

00:25:25:00

00:25:30:17

If you are 100 percent sure, I will tell
my guys that you are sure.

00:25:31:08

00:25:39:02

We told you the soil will come from
Shigatse area in Tibet.

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00:25:43:05

But first, I will bring a sample
of the soil for you.

00:25:45:01

00:25:49:22

You can look at the sample and see whether
it’s the right soil or not.

00:25:50:09

00:25:58:03

So tell me, how long will it take for
your guys to bring the soil out?

00:25:58:11

00:26:03:19

Depends. Once you confirm, they need
7 days to get the job done.

00:26:04:01

00:26:08:20

You will need 31,000 Chinese Yuan
for the guys bringing the soil.

00:26:09:07

00:26:13:21

And on top 20,000 Nepalese rupees
for my services.

00:26:14:18

00:26:19:21

We can consider that, but the main
thing is, the job has to be done.

00:26:20:01

00:26:27:21

[Speaking in Chinese]

00:26:28:14

00:26:31:17

Let's confirm everything by 3:30 PM today.

00:26:31:23

00:26:34:21

If we don't confirm it, then there will
be delays.

00:26:35:03

00:26:37:15

OK, let's stay in touch on the phone.

00:26:54:16

00:26:58:00

The group of individuals, they left for Tibet.

00:26:58:18

00:27:05:17

At first they just brought samples of soil, of which
I picked one which is more soft and

00:27:06:01

00:27:11:02

and thought that it would match the idea
of the installation.

00:27:29:22

00:27:33:00

The city has spread so much.

00:27:34:07

00:27:36:00

Wow.

00:27:38:00

00:27:39:22

Uncle, can you see your house
from here?

00:27:40:01

00:27:43:09

Which is bigger?
- New York or this?

00:27:46:02

00:27:48:09

It has a 40,000 year old history.

00:27:48:22

00:27:50:15

Thousands of years?

00:27:50:23

00:27:54:02

More than 40,000 years ago.

00:27:54:17

00:28:00:17

During the time of Kashyapa, the 2nd Buddha.

00:28:03:14

00:28:09:16

They say this whole area was a sea then.
- A sea?

00:28:10:05

00:28:16:04

A stupa temple appeared out of the sea.

00:28:34:22

00:28:39:07

So. The good news so far is

00:28:39:20

00:28:44:07

when the soil gets here, we have
a location to store it.

00:28:44:11

00:28:46:03

That's a good thing.

00:28:46:07

00:28:49:01

We were really worried about
finding a storage space.

00:28:49:11

00:28:51:10

Since it's going to be a big load.

00:28:51:16

00:28:58:07

I got a call from Tibet yesterday and they said
they are digging out the soil now.

00:28:59:14

00:29:07:01

I think in the next two or three days
the soil will come out of Tibet.

00:29:07:04

00:29:09:22

Let's call the fixer and check
how it's going.

00:29:10:19

00:29:14:14

No no, not here. Not a good place.
Too many people around.

00:29:15:03

00:29:16:10

Let’s call from the hotel.

00:29:28:01

00:29:29:00

Hello.

00:29:29:19

00:29:32:19

Listen.
- Yes?

00:29:33:14

00:29:37:00

On Wednesday the 20th...

00:29:37:04

00:29:40:05

On Wednesday we have to go
to Dram.

00:29:40:14

00:29:43:22

I see. On the 20th?

00:29:44:03

00:29:46:08

Yes, we have to go to the border
on the 20th.

00:29:46:16

00:29:48:22

Does that mean we are fixed on the 20th?

00:29:49:03

00:29:51:16

Basically, we have fixed it on the 20th.

00:29:55:15

00:29:57:07

It's a relief now.

00:29:57:18

00:30:00:10

This is good.

00:30:00:18

00:30:03:19

They were asking for some money too.

00:30:04:04

00:30:06:20

That's for paying off customs.

00:30:07:01

00:30:11:00

It's for the customs in Nepal.

00:30:13:05

00:30:16:06

Oh my!

00:30:41:04

00:30:47:06

We are going to the Tibet - Nepal border
called Dram today.

00:30:47:14

00:30:50:17

We are going to meet the two people there

00:30:51:04

00:30:55:21

who have agreed to help us get
the soil from Tibet.

00:30:56:20

00:31:03:11

The only Tibet I have seen is in films
and pictures.

00:31:04:02

00:31:10:05

Today is an opportunity to kind of see Tibet
for real so

00:31:11:05

00:31:13:14

I feel happy but

00:31:14:14

00:31:17:12

I feel quite nervous too.

00:31:31:21

00:31:33:08

Which way is Tibet?

00:31:33:13

00:31:34:19

Over there.

00:31:34:22

00:31:40:07

Starting from up there?
-Yes, this whole area is Tibet.

00:31:40:12

00:31:46:08

The whole of this mountain and
the forest is Tibetan area.

00:31:52:22

00:31:56:09

Lhasa Beer.

00:32:00:10

00:32:03:08

It says in Tibetan here.

00:32:16:05

00:32:21:06

Can we go further inside?
Yeah, we can. Hold on.

00:32:28:10

00:32:31:11

Can we say we just want to
take a look?

00:32:48:18

00:32:51:08

Talk in Nepalese now.

00:32:56:03

00:32:59:08

You see that umbrella over there?
There's the Chinese checkpost.

00:33:01:06

00:33:02:11

Hey!

00:33:02:18

00:33:05:23

He said stop taking pictures.
Let's get out of here.

00:33:07:21

00:33:08:18

Delete!

00:33:09:02

00:33:12:00

They want you to delete the pictures.

00:33:14:04

00:33:15:09

OK, OK. This?

00:33:15:15

00:33:18:11

The scenery is beautiful.
No? OK.

00:33:20:11

00:33:24:12

Sorry, sorry.

00:33:42:01

00:33:47:12

I think everybody has some sense of belonging
from whatever country one is from.

00:33:47:23

00:33:52:22

One can of course, disregard one's own root.

00:33:53:15

00:34:01:18

But I'm amongst those six million Tibetans
who never had that choice.

00:34:02:20

00:34:08:20

So, not having a country or having a country that
has been colonized

00:34:09:05

00:34:16:19

it always has made me do things but always
not in its fullest form.

00:34:17:09

00:34:21:08

I laugh, but I couldn't laugh fully.

00:34:22:02

00:34:25:22

I get angry but I can't get angry
fully, you know.

00:34:26:11

00:34:34:16

So there's always something absent. Something
that makes it incomplete.

00:34:47:20

00:34:51:02

I'm Tenzing Rigdol
from the soil project.

00:34:51:09

00:34:57:15

I wanted to inform you that I can't
go with you on Friday.

00:34:57:20

00:35:02:00

But Topten will be going with you.
- I see.

00:35:02:03

00:35:11:06

And also if you can confirm with us what time it's
coming on Friday, that would be helpful.

00:35:11:10

00:35:12:04

Right, right.

00:35:12:08

00:35:16:15

Alright then. Thank you. Bye.

00:35:18:00

00:35:19:09

What did he say?

00:35:19:15

00:35:26:06

OK, you are confirmed to go on Friday.
That's it. It's happening on Friday.

00:35:26:14

00:35:27:22

That's good.

00:35:32:08

00:35:36:08

Wow, this guy is selling
Tibetan flags.

00:35:36:18

00:35:38:17

Isn't that great?

00:35:48:20

00:35:53:13

[Speaking in Nepalese]

00:35:55:20

00:35:59:02

Hello, can you hear me?

00:36:00:11

00:36:08:14

Yes, I wanted to let you know that on Friday
Topten and the fixer will meet you at the border.

00:36:10:19

00:36:11:21

Yes.

00:36:15:02

00:36:19:17

Yes, I see. So are you saying it's not
going to happen on Friday?

00:36:24:04

00:36:25:13

It's not happening on Friday!

00:36:25:16

00:36:27:15

He said he couldn't get one of the permits.

00:36:28:04

00:36:34:02

What is this? They keep saying, in four days.
How many days has it been now?

00:36:34:13

00:36:37:01

'- 12 days.
- Yes, 12 days delay now.

00:36:37:03

00:36:41:10

He said he'll call day after tomorrow.
He couldn't get one of the permits.

00:37:28:12

00:37:35:19

When I first talked to Topten from the US
he said everything will be done in two weeks.

00:37:36:13

00:37:41:16

But then here, I had to wait and wait and wait...

00:37:53:21

00:38:00:06

Of course, I understand it's an unusual task
and it takes time.

00:38:00:08

00:38:04:18

But the worst thing is,
I can't be sure of anything.

00:38:05:00

00:38:11:06

I don't know how long it will take
and when it can be done.

00:38:11:17

00:38:18:23

Nothing’s clear and sure and that makes me
anxious and a little… desperate.

00:38:24:13

00:38:29:16

These people are not real professionals.
They don't quite know what they are getting into.

00:38:29:20

00:38:37:13

From what he's saying, they have been referred
to the department of mining to test the soil.

00:38:37:18

00:38:40:02

Is there such a department for
testing soil?

00:38:40:09

00:38:44:11

Yes, there is. To test if there are
any minerals in the soil.

00:38:44:19

00:38:50:22

These guys are doing their work, but since
they don't know the process it's complicated.

00:38:55:01

00:39:00:18

Once, Twice, Thrice.
This is now the third time they delayed.

00:39:08:09

00:39:12:20

Let's get some prayers done to
clear off the obstacles.

00:39:12:23

00:39:17:22

There are some special prayers that
we can do, right?

00:39:18:12

00:39:22:23

Isn't that so?
We should do that.

00:39:23:18

00:39:29:21

Throw it upon the deities.

00:39:30:00

00:39:34:23

When a man's desperate, he leaves
it to the gods.

00:39:35:05

00:39:37:20

Now you've fallen on prayers.

00:39:38:14

00:39:43:13

After the prayers everything will
move smoothly.

00:39:43:16

00:39:48:15

Who knows, we might even get the
permits tonight.

00:39:49:05

00:39:51:20

The truck will come out flying...

00:39:51:22

00:39:56:03

Yes, with wings. It will
land at Bhaktapur Airport.

00:40:49:10

00:40:52:14

I was born with a pair of shoes.

00:40:53:03

00:40:58:03

Though tattered and torn,
they are my very own.

00:40:58:14

00:41:03:10

I travel unaware
of my utmost despair.

00:41:03:21

00:41:09:03

From there to here.
From here to somewhere.

00:41:19:15

00:41:22:03

When you have an idea

00:41:22:17

00:41:28:23

there is a point where, with all of my other
works, I see half of it.

00:41:29:07

00:41:32:08

Or I see it only in a very abstract way.

00:41:32:21

00:41:36:12

Then I cannot really concentrate on anything else.

00:41:37:02

00:41:39:14

So the same thing happened with the soil project.

00:41:40:13

00:41:44:08

There was this... kind of drive
to see it happen.

00:41:45:14

00:41:51:19

Then the project's difficulty or the size of the project,
I really didn't know at the time.

00:41:52:00

00:41:54:20

I thought in a very simple way that

00:41:54:22

00:42:00:01

I will bring the soil from Tibet, through Nepal
and then get it into India.

00:42:00:07

00:42:02:02

And then have an exhibition.

00:42:02:07

00:42:06:15

But then I learned that, okay, first of
all, soil is not allowed.

00:42:07:18

00:42:11:07

Secondly, it's not just two or three borders.

00:42:11:09

00:42:15:12

Between each country, there are like,
many check points.

00:42:16:03

00:42:18:08

And I think in a way that was
good too because

00:42:18:10

00:42:24:08

if I had known beforehand, all these problems that
we are going to face, then probably

00:42:24:10

00:42:28:15

it might have made me more careful and
made me think too much.

00:42:30:14

00:42:34:18

I think this kind of project needed
more passion and

00:42:35:04

00:42:39:04

of course lots of planning and all
but believing that this could happen.

00:42:44:19

00:42:45:19

Hello.

00:42:46:01

00:42:48:02

Hello, it's me Tenzing.

00:42:48:08

00:42:49:11

Hi Tenzing.

00:42:49:19

00:42:59:18

I have just been told that you got
the permits, is that true?

00:43:00:23

00:43:02:08

Yes that's right.

00:43:02:15

00:43:08:21

That's great. So tomorrow are you bringing out
one truck of soil?

00:43:09:11

00:43:10:22

Yes, you'll have one truck tomorrow.

00:43:11:01

00:43:14:02

That's one full truck right?
- Yes.

00:43:14:19

00:43:18:10

How many bags of soil in one truck?

00:43:20:11

00:43:25:09

When we load the truck tomorrow,
we can do a count.

00:43:25:16

00:43:29:21

Another thing is, the money is
running out. Can you send more money?

00:43:31:01

00:43:32:12

I see... well...

00:43:32:22

00:43:36:03

Actually, we have three trucks ready
to cross here.

00:43:36:09

00:43:37:05

Oh?

00:43:37:18

00:43:43:18

But it's not easy to get the permits.
It's really difficult for me.

00:43:44:21

00:43:52:10

Topten will meet you at the border and
I will send you money for your expenses.

00:43:53:14

00:43:54:11

OK.

00:43:54:19

00:43:57:10

Alright bye.
- Bye.

00:43:58:13

00:44:02:04

Now do your best. Focus! Focus!

00:44:02:15

00:44:08:19

Well, I have to go to the border tomorrow then.
At four in the morning.

00:44:10:11

00:44:13:11

Can you check how much is in this?

00:44:15:20

00:44:18:14

You are taking 270,000 rupees
tomorrow.

00:44:20:19

00:44:24:09

34, 35, 36...
You have 40,000 in this bunch.

00:44:31:06

00:44:34:07

Now be careful when you hand them
the money.

00:44:34:13

00:44:41:00

I won't be paying them until we get the truck.
If they want it earlier, they can talk to you.

00:44:41:04

00:44:45:14

There's nothing to talk to me about.

00:44:45:14

00:44:52:22

They already know we are paying only
after the soil crosses the border.

00:44:53:17

00:44:57:18

I will wake up at four and say some
prayers before leaving.

00:45:29:02

00:45:34:21

Our team working from the border
advised me not to come to Dram.

00:45:35:10

00:45:42:12

They said if I go there, people
will easily notice me like a white crow.

00:45:42:21

00:45:47:00

Which means if I go there, my presence may
become an obstacle for the project.

00:45:47:06

00:45:55:04

Instead of going to the border, I am
doing preparation for the soil in Kathmandu.

00:46:00:18

00:46:03:03

So the prayers will continue for
three days right?

00:46:03:10

00:46:07:14

The offerings are done daily.

00:46:08:01

00:46:10:02

We can start the prayers tomorrow.

00:46:12:02

00:46:14:05

For Thursday, Friday and Saturday?

00:46:14:09

00:46:16:22

We want to do the offerings
for three days.

00:46:18:02

00:46:19:10

And the prayers are...

00:46:20:11

00:46:23:03

"Dispelling the Obstacles" prayer

00:46:23:20

00:46:26:13

The "Wish fulfilling" prayer

00:46:27:15

00:46:30:05

And the prayer for deity
Palden Lhamo?

00:46:31:14

00:46:33:17

We can also do Tara prayers.

00:46:34:18

00:46:40:04

Unfortunately, we can't tell you what
the prayers are for.

00:46:41:09

00:46:43:15

It's complicated.

00:46:45:12

00:46:47:23

As long as you know it yourselves,
that's fine.

00:46:48:06

00:46:57:15

Just think that I am bringing something
precious out of Tibet.

00:46:59:15

00:47:00:23

So that's the purpose?

00:47:01:09

00:47:04:07

When you say precious, they are going to
imagine all kinds of things.

00:47:06:04

00:47:09:07

Are you guys doing something illegal?

00:47:10:11

00:47:12:15

So we need help with that.

00:47:12:21

00:47:20:11

But anyways even if you don't tell us,
your wish is in the prayers.

00:47:26:07

00:47:41:08

“White crane!
Lend me your wings."

00:47:44:01

00:48:00:20

"I will not fly far.
From Lithang, I shall return."

00:48:13:18

00:48:16:18

It's now about ten hours since
Topten left for the border.

00:48:17:01

00:48:21:02

He hasn't called me yet
and I can't get through to him.

00:48:21:09

00:48:25:03

I talked to his wife but she
hasn't heard from him either.

00:48:25:07

00:48:31:23

I am getting a bit nervous now because
if he gets arrested by the Chinese at the border

00:48:32:14

00:48:36:19

that’s a terrible situation.

00:48:43:15

00:48:45:06

Hello, Topten.

00:48:45:20

00:48:46:10

Yes?

00:48:46:13

00:48:47:23

- Rigdol?
- Yes, what happened?

00:48:48:04

00:48:56:00

They said the Chinese are not allowing more than
15 to 20 bags past the Friendship Bridge.

00:48:58:06

00:49:00:19

'- Hello?
- What does that mean?

00:49:01:12

00:49:06:06

Listen. He said he told the Chinese that
they'll pay them 2000 yaun.

00:49:06:09

00:49:07:06

I see.

00:49:08:01

00:49:11:09

But they are not budging and I said
we should pay more money.

00:49:11:12

00:49:12:11

Yes.

00:49:14:18

00:49:19:13

Our guys should have told us this before.
They were talking about trucks and all...

00:49:20:16

00:49:22:08

Yes?

00:49:23:03

00:49:26:15

So they can't bring the soil out?

00:49:32:07

00:49:35:11

What a pain!

00:49:38:06

00:49:41:10

They are having trouble crossing the border.

00:49:44:23

00:49:46:16

It's a mountain.

00:49:51:08

00:49:54:11

Let's win this or I don't care.

00:49:58:12

00:50:00:13

Six, six, six...

00:50:53:01

00:50:54:12

Listen, Topten...

00:50:56:12

00:51:01:06

So are you saying they can’t confirm
crossing the Friendship Bridge?

00:51:02:17

00:51:08:08

Bringing the soil out through the bridge
has now become impossible.

00:51:08:15

00:51:13:12

We heard the Chinese officials have met and
decided not to let the soil out.

00:51:13:12

00:51:17:17

The border has become very strict.

00:51:17:22

00:51:20:07

They have really increased
army presence and border patrol.

00:51:20:11

00:51:23:18

So there’s no way it can work.

00:51:53:13

00:51:59:00

Unfortunately, just now the Chinese are
celebrating 60 years of their rule in Tibet.

00:51:59:20

00:52:02:21

Because of that the border has
become much stricter.

00:52:03:00

00:52:07:17

They are not letting people or
goods in and out.

00:52:08:06

00:52:12:17

And on top of that, Topten is
getting really upset.

00:52:13:03

00:52:17:13

The poor guy apologized to me and said he
thought about jumping into the river.

00:52:18:03

00:52:19:17

So I told him to come back to Kathmandu.

00:53:11:11

00:53:15:15

The divination reads really well.

00:53:18:22

00:53:23:19

The divination came out in your favor,
your heart’s wish will be fulfilled.

00:53:23:23

00:53:28:03

It says like a lotus blooming from the ground,
your work will come to fruition.

00:53:29:06

00:53:33:05

And you will have the results
you wish for.

00:53:33:21

00:53:36:20

'- That's a good divination right?
- Yes, for the present and the future.

00:53:37:03

00:53:40:00

For the present and the future?

00:53:45:15

00:53:49:18

So it's clear that we cannot cross the border
by using the bridge right?

00:53:50:01

00:53:57:15

This alternate plan, what is that?
They will bring the soil how?

00:53:58:02

00:54:02:10

Somewhere below the bridge there
is a zip line.

00:54:02:20

00:54:06:14

They usually keep it hidden and
use it for smuggling goods in and out.

00:54:06:20

00:54:10:02

It's used to transport smuggled goods
across the border.

00:54:10:11

00:54:16:22

So I have to talk to the guy who does this.
I'll let you know tomorrow.

00:54:17:22

00:54:21:01

Now be careful. He sounds like a
dangerous guy.

00:54:21:06

00:54:24:10

You don't worry about that.
I will take care of things.

00:54:24:16

00:54:31:00

We don't have much choice now.
I will bring the soil somehow.

00:54:31:07

00:54:34:21

We cannot use the bridge.
This is our only option.

00:54:36:01

00:54:46:11

So that’s it. The Chinese won’t allow us to
legally take the soil out of Tibet.

00:54:48:00

00:54:52:06

This is Topten’s new development.

00:54:52:16

00:54:58:13

He met a Nepalese guy who has contact
with smugglers who work at the border.

00:54:59:00

00:55:03:07

We are now told that if we can
give some amount of money to the smugglers

00:55:03:19

00:55:07:18

there's a chance that they can bring
the soil across the border.

00:55:10:06

00:55:13:08

We've found ourselves a smuggler now!

00:55:14:14

00:55:17:04

We have a smuggler on board.

00:55:35:05

00:55:37:02

I don't understand.

00:55:37:13

00:55:45:09

OK, so 171 bags have been transported last night.
They are now in storage right?

00:55:45:17

00:55:49:00

In Chinese controlled Tibetan area.

00:55:49:04

00:55:52:12

'- That's all been unloaded today.
- Unloaded where?

00:55:52:22

00:55:58:09

'- They are hidden in the forest by the Chinese border.
- Hidden in the forest?

00:55:58:13

00:56:04:03

OK, so 171 bags are coming into
Nepalese land today right?

00:56:04:12

00:56:06:22

Yes, they're crossing over today.

00:56:07:12

00:56:10:07

After that, when are the remaining bags coming?

00:56:10:23

00:56:15:12

The remaining will go into storage
at about 10 PM tonight.

00:56:16:20

00:56:21:09

So the rest of the bags have to
go into storage first?

00:57:55:01

00:57:58:09

Yes, it's here.

00:58:10:13

00:58:12:08

Isn't this good?

00:58:13:07

00:58:15:06

After a long month,

00:58:16:12

00:58:18:13

we're finally seeing the results.

00:58:25:04

00:58:28:04

'- Hey man, you put on some weight.
- No way.

00:58:29:13

00:58:32:05

The famous soil from Tibet is here.

00:58:32:11

00:58:34:16

Poor guy. He's lost some weight.

00:58:35:04

00:58:37:09

Man, it was tough.

00:58:38:21

00:58:40:11

It was fucking hard.

00:58:41:06

00:58:42:17

Who has the key now?

00:58:42:17

00:58:43:17

He has it.

00:58:43:21

00:58:45:15

Let's take a look.

00:58:47:07

00:58:48:07

This is it.

00:58:53:17

00:58:59:13

'- They are all tied?
-Yes.

00:59:03:06

00:59:05:11

All the way from Shigatse!

00:59:05:15

00:59:12:05

'- Is this all of it?
- Yes it is.

00:59:13:10

00:59:15:16

Is this about 20 tonnes?

00:59:16:07

00:59:21:18

Of course, it's 20 tonnes.
It's a big truck.

00:59:29:00

00:59:32:08

My god, it was scary.
I was so scared.

00:59:32:18

00:59:34:11

I went to a tea stall and the guy said,

00:59:34:23

00:59:39:08

"Is the soil coming out today?
Are you the contractor?"

00:59:39:14

00:59:44:05

I was like, "What soil?"

00:59:44:12

00:59:50:21

I told him I was there at the border waiting
for my mother from Tibet.

00:59:51:18

00:59:52:20

'- He was Nepalese?
- Yes.

00:59:53:07

00:59:56:00

'- But how did that guy even know?
- I don't know!

00:59:56:04

01:00:00:12

My god, it was like that.
They knew everything.

01:00:01:17

01:00:04:11

I was shocked at first and
then I got scared.

01:00:05:16

01:00:07:12

You must have gone too close.

01:00:07:20

01:00:13:14

What? How could I go close to the truck?
There were police all over.

01:00:13:20

01:00:16:16

Anyone could tell I was not
from the area.

01:00:16:22

01:00:21:15

That day the smuggler called me and told
me not to come close to the border.

01:00:22:00

01:00:25:09

He said a lot of Chinese police showed up.

01:00:25:21

01:00:31:16

He said the Chinese can come 30 kms into Nepal
and arrest people.

01:00:32:07

01:00:36:18

So it means we should leave here as soon as
we can. It doesn't seem safe here.

01:00:37:02

01:00:40:03

Yes, we must leave soon.

01:02:36:22

01:02:46:05

We are at the border between Nepal
and India and we are on the Indian side.

01:02:46:22

01:02:51:18

With the rain, the water level has risen
very high under the bridge.

01:02:52:12

01:02:59:06

So the bridge that we need to
cross into India is closed.

01:02:59:14

01:03:04:01

We have been waiting for the bridge to
open since yesterday.

01:03:04:11

01:03:08:02

Looks like there’s no chance to
bring the truck across today.

01:03:09:12

01:03:13:23

The truck driver has said that he's
crossing the border either today or tomorrow.

01:03:14:07

01:03:18:00

I don't trust what that guy says.

01:03:19:03

01:03:21:15

Then who should I trust?

01:03:22:11

01:03:27:07

When he says it will take 5 days to complete a
task it usually takes 15 days.

01:03:28:12

01:03:33:16

If he says he'll do it today,
it means three days.

01:03:34:08

01:03:37:22

If the truck cannot cross the border today,
then we'll head to Delhi.

01:03:38:12

01:03:41:00

And go on to Dharamsala
and wait for the soil.

01:03:41:20

01:03:45:03

I can't tell how long it's going to take.

01:03:46:22

01:03:50:11

You guys should get going.

01:03:50:15

01:03:55:16

I will wait at the border till our truck
crosses into India.

01:03:55:21

01:04:03:14

'- Keep us informed.
- Yes, I will call and update you.

01:04:04:20

01:04:07:09

Well then, be careful on the way.

01:04:07:09

01:04:09:17

And thank you for everything.

01:04:17:21

01:04:21:08

Hey man, wrong way, we are on
the wrong side.

01:04:21:08

01:04:22:21

Yeah, I know that.

01:04:44:11

01:04:50:16

So I'm finally in India and heading
to Dharamsala.

01:04:52:04

01:04:56:20

Dharamsala has one of the biggest
Tibetan refugee communities.

01:04:57:04

01:05:01:13

And His Holiness the Dalai Lama also
resides there.

01:05:02:05

01:05:06:09

I'm returning to Dharamsala after
more than fifteen years

01:05:06:13

01:05:12:07

because I spent my childhood in a
school there.

01:07:03:05

01:07:07:13

We are setting up the installation today.

01:07:07:14

01:07:10:05

Hopefully, it won't rain.

01:07:10:12

01:07:13:06

If it rains, we are screwed.

01:07:14:19

01:07:19:00

We have 15 hours to install everything and make
everything ready.

01:07:19:09

01:07:23:07

Give the finishing touch and that's it.

01:07:33:15

01:07:36:09

Here we go.

01:07:41:12

01:07:44:06

Look at this.

01:07:50:09

01:07:52:14

In some way when I think about it

01:07:52:16

01:07:59:07

the journey of the soil is very much similar to the
journey of Tibetan refugees escaping Tibet.

01:07:59:11

01:08:02:07

They too have to cross borders illegally.

01:08:02:10

01:08:07:10

And in many cases, they have to pay lots of
money to human traffickers

01:08:07:23

01:08:14:08

and they have to face all kinds of danger and the
fear of getting arrested and imprisoned.

01:08:14:17

01:08:19:10

So, this is our common story -
a Tibetan story.

01:08:19:22

01:08:22:16

Don't we have more blades?
- No.

01:08:23:12

01:08:26:06

Too bad, I got the easiest job.

01:08:29:20

01:08:36:18

I basically think, the installation, the work that
we are doing, will somehow

01:08:37:11

01:08:44:02

spiritually create this bond between Tibetans
in Tibet and outside Tibet.

01:08:46:19

01:08:50:22

And that's what I hope with this project.

01:09:01:06

01:09:08:10

We didn't get to eat all day.
So this is breakfast, lunch and dinner.

01:09:12:01

01:09:14:02

You must be really happy now.

01:09:16:04

01:09:21:10

I'm really happy, I still have some
worries though.

01:09:21:18

01:09:26:02

How should I put it?

01:09:26:13

01:09:31:17

It feels like a bone that was stuck in my throat
has finally popped out.

01:09:34:12

01:09:38:18

Now I just have to worry if I'll be able
to sing or not.

01:10:47:22

01:10:49:22

Now that's good. Like that...

01:10:50:06

01:10:59:08

Wait, hold it like this and tie that
around the center.

01:11:00:00

01:11:04:11

Make sure it’s tight. Yes, like that.

01:11:07:16

01:11:11:20

How did you manage the border?

01:11:11:20

01:11:13:18

'- Yes sir?
- How about at the border?

01:11:14:02

01:11:15:17

How should I say...

01:11:16:00

01:11:17:15

Come this way.

01:11:21:15

01:11:24:11

His Holiness, this is Tenzing Rigdol.

01:11:27:20

01:11:30:09

So this is from Shigatse?

01:11:30:12

01:11:32:00

Yes.

01:11:32:04

01:11:35:22

From Shigatse, Tibet?
- Yes.

01:11:42:19

01:11:46:18

TIBET

01:11:48:19

01:11:53:04

This is for you.

01:11:57:13

01:12:02:08

We have to reach out to the Chinese
through different fields.

01:12:02:16

01:12:07:09

Teach our Chinese friends
the facts about Tibet.

01:12:07:14

01:12:12:14

Generally, many educated Chinese nationals
show interest and concern for the Tibetan issue.

01:12:13:05

01:12:18:14

When they know the truth, they come to support
the cause of the Tibetan people.

01:12:18:17

01:12:23:23

We are thinking of a mutually beneficial
solution because it suits today's reality.

01:12:24:03

01:12:25:22

And it can bring tangible results.

01:12:26:01

01:12:31:06

Without Chinese support, it's very
difficult to find a solution.

01:12:31:12

01:12:35:05

You understand? We have our right.

01:12:35:09

01:12:37:03

Historically, Tibet and China
were separate.

01:12:37:07

01:12:41:18

As the saying has it: The Chinese are happier in
China, The Tibetans are happier in Tibet.

01:12:42:07

01:12:46:08

From our empire’s time, that was the truth but
these days, where will we go tell it?

01:12:46:14

01:12:48:12

The world runs on power.

01:12:48:16

01:12:52:09

So we need to keep an open mind and
think from a broader perspective.

01:12:52:13

01:12:57:01

And when we speak of a mutually beneficial solution
many Chinese show their support.

01:12:57:21

01:13:00:01

Well you've done a good job.

01:13:00:04

01:13:01:15

Thank you.

01:13:02:14

01:13:05:13

Persevere and work hard.

01:13:58:07

01:14:06:16

I, a little student shall study hard.

01:14:07:19

01:14:15:08

I, a little student shall study hard.

01:14:15:22

01:14:21:15

I shall study hard...

01:14:22:02

01:14:28:02

and return to Tibet.

01:14:29:05

01:14:34:21

I, a little student
am the future seed of Tibet.

01:14:35:10

01:14:41:21

Let us get Tibetan freedom
and return to Tibet.

01:14:44:03

01:14:49:10

Let's return to Tibet.
Let us all return to Tibet.

01:14:50:02

01:14:54:01

Let's return to Tibet.
Let us all return Tibet.

01:15:15:03

01:15:26:20

Being able to touch and walk on Tibetan soil today
is a very auspicious sign for me.

01:15:27:21

01:15:32:20

I pray the day will come when
we can set foot on Tibetan land itself,

01:15:33:10

01:15:35:17

That we can restore freedom in Tibet

01:15:36:07

01:15:39:12

and be able to welcome His Holiness
back to Tibet.

01:15:39:12

01:15:44:18

And reunify Tibetans living inside and
outside Tibet as one family.

01:15:45:10

01:15:55:09

I pray and hope for such a day to come and
pledge to work for such a day.

01:15:55:16

01:15:57:12

Thank you.

01:16:07:02

01:16:09:03

Greetings to everyone.

01:16:09:13

01:16:12:08

For me, this is like a heartfelt prayer

01:16:12:19

01:16:18:04

I hope that we will all get to
return to Tibet soon.

01:16:18:09

01:16:21:01

So thank you all for coming here today.

01:17:12:11

01:17:15:08

Grandpa, how long has it been since
you last walked on Tibetan soil?

01:17:15:18

01:17:20:11

May be about 60 years. I left Tibet
when I was 25 years old.

01:17:20:17

01:17:24:21

I am 76 years old now. So how long is that?

01:17:25:13

01:17:27:20

About 50 years.

01:17:42:03

01:17:47:08

I pray for all of us Tibetans in exile.
May we get to return to Tibet.

01:17:47:12

01:17:50:12

May there be better days ahead.

01:17:50:20

01:17:54:00

May there be the sun of happiness
and the moon of joy.

01:17:54:05

01:17:58:16

May we all get to return to our homeland.

01:17:59:00

01:18:00:10

Thank you.

01:18:02:23

01:18:10:11

I was able to touch this soil
and put my feet on this today.

01:18:10:18

01:18:13:14

I feel like I am back in my homeland.

01:18:14:07

01:18:16:22

Thank you Tenzing Rigdol.

01:18:17:14

01:18:19:11

My wish is

01:18:19:13

01:18:28:08

all of us Tibetan exiles will get to return
to our country Tibet

01:18:28:16

01:18:34:11

and get to touch the ground of our country
and drink its water.

01:18:35:00

01:18:36:07

Thank you.

01:19:10:21

01:19:15:02

Hundreds of Tibetans lined up to
set foot on Tibetan soil.

01:19:15:05

01:19:21:02

The idea for the project, says artist Tenzing Rigdol,
came to him after the death of his father.

01:19:21:08

01:19:25:20

Living in exile, he had hoped to return for
at least one last visit

01:19:25:23

01:19:28:14

to his home country before he died.

01:19:41:18

01:19:45:14

From a distant land
when I look towards my homeland

01:19:45:17

01:19:47:12

Tears well up in my eyes

01:19:48:04

01:19:52:00

From a foreign land
when I think of my homeland

01:19:52:09

01:19:54:04

Tears well up in my eyes

01:19:54:21

01:19:58:19

When I wish to return home
but since I don't have the freedom

01:19:59:05

01:20:00:15

Tears well up in my eyes

01:20:02:06

01:20:03:16

Tears well up in my eyes

01:20:19:22

01:20:23:15

For me this project is rather
a symbol of good omen

01:20:23:23

01:20:26:21

and a way of expressing hope
for the future.

01:20:32:20

01:20:38:16

And I'm very hopeful that very soon
Tibetans in exile and Tibetans in Tibet

01:20:39:00

01:20:42:23

will reunite in their homeland.