I briefly spoke to a Tibetan Monk when I was coming back from a hot spring in the changing area, he was saying that it is important to have a free mind. He had spent a few years living overseas and asked me about Australia. I think he had been to Canada and Singapore, definitely remember Singapore for sure. He was in Huashuiwan but I didn’t get to ask why. It is a popular spot for Chinese tourists and it’s considered a weekend retreat so most likely he was in Chengdu and travelled out for the weekend to relax.
Some places had a bit of a weekend retreat vibe and we left Monday 1pm and it was suddenly dead quiet when we had our last hot spring session Monday morning. It was great. Probably best not to visit Huashuiwan on the weekend. Though it wasn’t crazy or anything. Also it was still the off season. Monday breakfast our group was the only people there. The families were back in the grind of Chengdu, although Chengdu is still considered a relaxed city compared to most Chinese cities. Maybe it’s the heat, the tea houses, the food but either way it is good.
derekjamescarter 
So, you spoke to a tibetan monk …. and? and? … then you just switch into a holiday summary. Did you get any insights? Was he an interesting character? did he look right through you? or make you feel at peace. Or just another traveller met on the road? neither friend nor foe? Don’t be a tease!!! 😉
Yeah true lol, I thought the mind being free thing was all I got, what surprised me about the Tibetans was what they were doing. I posted some stories a few weeks back on socials of the full body prayers as a way to travel highways. Saw a few monks and some are friendlier than others. I think the conversation made me realise how well travelled and curious they can be. But the way they behave, at least the followers anyway. The monks seem a lot less extreme. The hard core followers are pushing the physical limits. The monks seem more scholarly. I am not sure how they got into their position through extreme physical acts like full body prayers to travel highways but they seem level headed.
Wonderful. Thank You! I’ll look back and see what i missed.