Yak Butter Blues

Brandon Wilson is masterful in describing the hardships and trials of his 650-mile journey across Tibet. He's equally adept at describing this harsh yet wondrous, high landscape known as the "roof of the world." Wilson is at his best, however, when he talks about the enchanting warmth of the Tibetan people who, as he and his wife crossed on foot, took them into their homes and shared their culture. Hardly a holiday sightseeing safari, Wilson calls his trek a "walking meditation" in which the couple sees through the dust storms and freezing winds to learn the good will and kindness that has survived generations of oppression. In this strange paradise, Wilson finds commonality with the Tibetans, yet mourns the continuing disappearance of their culture, noting that soon little will remain of it but their ancient yak butter tea. Fortunately, so will his book.

..."Look, you two, I don't think this has ever been done before-and there must be more than one good reason why."...It's a good thing author Brandon Wilson and his wife, Cheryl, didn't take these words to heart or I wouldn't have been able to go along with them on their adventure from Lhasa to Kathmandu. While I may never get there in person, I feel as though I have met the people of Tibet and seen everything they did while staying out of the freezing cold. I read this book, slowly, savoring from the first "Tashi Delek!" to the last "Namaste". I came to love Sadhu, the wandering holy man, so much that I was close to tears near the end of the story. Traveling with Brandon and Cheryl, and the people they meet along the way and share their adventure with, for 650 miles across an ancient pilgrim's trail is exhilarating. You will enjoy the way things open up to them as minor successes happen to allow them to trek across Tibet, visiting beautiful Buddhist monasteries and passing out pictures of the Dalai Lama to those who helped them along the way. While experiencing much success, they also experienced getting shot at, getting caught in a blizzard and a sandstorm, not having enough to eat or drink, getting lost, Cheryl getting bitten by a dog, and much more. The one thing that stayed constant, besides their determination, was the Yak Butter the book is named for. ...Like Henry David Thoreau's noble quest to "live life deliberately"..."Yak Butter Blues author, Brandon Wilson, teaches us just that...open your life to adventure, seek it out, find something that suits you and jump in with both feet...don't stop to think or to over-plan. If you do, your logic could take over and you would miss all the fun! Pick up two copies of this book...one for yourself and another for a friend. You will both be glad you did. Thank you Brandon and Cheryl for sharing a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

A Journey For Everyone! Wilson's brilliantly written, heartfelt book and his determination to follow a dream demonstrates that nothing is impossible. Wilson weaves history, personality, locale and the plethora of human emotion with his adept eye for detail. This couple, and their beloved horse, Sahdu, carry us literally into a thrilling and deeper understanding of the word, 'discovery.' Truly, this book is a metaphor for Life. From exalted highs and deepest sorrows, they allow us to travel with them in a remarkably intimate way. They prove that 'being present' has no boundaries, no mystery and no ethnicity. Through their pilgrimage, they teach us the reality, the need, and the responsibility for profound and simple 'touch.' Enlightenment may not be just a matter of looking inward, but looking outward in experiencing the privilege of our common bonds with the rest of the world. I will carry this book and it's message with me forever.

Brandon transpoted me to Tibet and I was taken step by grueling step with him and Cheryl and their rugged Tibetan horse Sadhu on their 1000 km trek from Lhasa to Kahtmandu that they were told was impossibe. The trip had to be completed before the mountain passes were snowed in so they had about six weeks so they had to walk eighteen miles a day on dirt roads thru tracherous mountain passes at very high altitudes encountering the unpredictable Chinese military. At the end of each day there was always a surprise lodgeing,with very meager sustenance but always they were welcomed by Tibetan families who shared what they had. This is a heart warming book that proves nothing is impossible and the human body and mind can be stretched to endure and and rewarded in ways that uplift the spirit to new heights. The Tibetan people are proof that somehow they will endure and need world support. It is a wonderful book and exciting adventure. Verna Eddy Kailua Hi

Yak Butter Blues is an exciting, thrilling, enchanting, encouraging and sad book of two „pilgrims" and their horse hiking from Lhasa to Kathmandu. However this book is much more than just another trek description from far away. Brandon Wilson excellently describes the up and downs, the fears, the joys and the struggles of the hikers during this long distance trek. It was amazing to read about the willingness of the Tibetans to share their few belongings with "three" unknown hikers looking for shelter. Brandon Wilson succeeds while hiking through this vast country to survey the state of Tibet which sadly enough is losing its enormous cultural richness at high speed. Yak Butter Blues really touched me in many ways!