Tibetans waiting to ascend to their Dalai Lamas private quarters.  

There are three sets of stairs the central one blocked off, it hasn't been used since the Dalai Lama left and won't be used again until his return.

From the roof we accessed the Dalai Lamas former home culminating in his bedroom.  It was hard to imagine a bright lively young boy closeted in these cold unheated and often dark rooms.   The ornamentation was heavy and the furnishings not made for comfort.  But he did have a marvelous view over the city.

From the White Palace we moved to the Red, the religious heart of the Potala.  It is a treasure trove of Buddhist art and artifacts.  Here we saw the tombs of 8 Dalai Lamas including the 5th whose pyramid above his final resting place is decorated with 20.000 diamonds and pearls.  With over 1000 rooms we could only see a fraction of them in the allotted time.  It was awesome to be there.  

This was my last photograph taken within the walls.  Photography being forbidden inside the palaces and on the roof.

On our way down I was fascinated by the sight of these  young women painting the tops of the walls.  Note the safety gear, a rope held by her colleague.  Surely if she fell the girl on the other end would be powerless to save her.