THE TRAVELER The Secrets of China Four must see minorities
The Mongolian The Tibetan The Bao The Dai
T a b le o f C o n te n ts Introductory*Page*
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Contributors*Page*
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Meeting*the*Mongols**
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A*Day*with*the*Dai* *
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Bais*from*Thousands*of*Li*Away* *
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Adventure*on*the*Roof*of*the*World* *
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' ' Introductory'Page About'The$Traveler
Editor’s'Notes
The$ Traveler' was' founded' on' May' 5th,' 2015.'Our'magazine'offers'a'wide'variety'of' travel' information' and' broad' spectrum' of' unique' perspectives' from' a' diverse' group' of' writers.' It' is' sure' to' keep' tourists' and' vacationers' informed' about' vacation' destinations'and'tourist'attractions'around' the'world.'From'all'of'us'here'at'TravelBoy,' it' is' in' our' best' interest' to' maintain' your' happiness' and' keep' you' informed' of' the' best' travel' destinations.' Just' remember,' keep'traveling'and'stay'sharp.'
Welcome' to' the' August' edition' of' The' Traveler.' We' hope' that' you' have' enjoyed' a' wonderful' summer' break' and'are'ready'to'gain'new'experiences' in'the'beginning'of'the'fall'season.' In'light'of'the'in?lux'of'long@days'in'the' of?ice' that' are' going' to' be' a' frequent' occurrence' in' the' near' future,' it' is' always' important' to' stay' optimistic' and' ?ind' time' for' yourself' when' the' going' gets' tough.' Even' though' the' summer' has' already' ended,' this' does' not'mean'that'you'cannot'travel'to'new' places.' It' serves' as' a' great' way' to' relieve' stress' from' sitting' in' the' desk' all'day.'This'is'why'we'have'compiled'a' series'of'articles''exploring'the'rich'and' ancient' culture' of' mystical' China,' a' great'tourist'destination.'
Traveler’s'Guide'#4 Traveler’s'Guide'#4'@'Pack'Less' One' thing' that' most' people' do' when' they' go' on' a' trip' is' try' to' bring' all' of' their' belongings' with' them.' This' is' not' necessarily' an' ef?icient' way' of' traveling.' It' is' always' better' to' pack' less' to' reduce' the' weight'of'your'bag'when'moving'from'place' to' place.' If' you’re' not' sure' about' packing' something,' you' don’t' need' it.' It' is' also' a' good' idea' to' buy' other' things' at' your' destination' if' you' discover' that' you' need' them.
Each'and'every'one'of'the'article'shows' one'unique'minority'of'China.'From'the' vast''grasslands'of'the'Mongol'minority' all' the' way' to' the' high' altitudes' of' the' Tibetan' minority.' Each' and' every' one' of' these' minorities' has' a' special' aspects' that' makes' them' a' must@see' attraction' and' will' most' certainly' de@ stress'your'day.' Sincerely,'' Matthew'Lu'
3
Contributor’s Page Justin'Zeng'Veteran'travel'journalist,'he'has' traveled'all'over'the'world,'and'has'reported'from' the'dank'forests'of'Northern'Europe'to'the'arid' deserts'of'the'Middle'East.'He'has'won'numerous' awards'for'his'outstanding'performance'in' journaling.'He'is'currently'stationed'in'Los' Angeles,'California.'In'his'spare'time'he'is'a' cheese'connoisseur.'
Matthew'Lu'is'a'veteran'travel'journalist'who'currently' resides'in'Los'Angeles,'California.'He'has'over'thirty' years'of'experience'traveling'around'the'globe.' Extremely'well'known'for'his'travel'articles'and' photography,'he'has'won'prizes'in'both'categories,' including'the'Pulitzer’s'Prize'for'Feature'Photography.' In'his'spare'time,'he'is'a'philanthropist'and'a'renowned' yoga'instructor.'
Hoyin Tsoi is a relatively new travel journalist who is earning a reputation for experiencing locations in an unique way. Despite his lack of experience, he is rapidly moving up in the journalist world and already has been nominated for several awards. He also has a part-time job working for Nike.
Bono'Yoo'is'a'experienced'travel'journalist'who'has' traveled'all'around'the'world.'He'has'written'articles'for' numerous'locations'and'is'highly'regarded'by'many' readers.'Additionally,'he'is'a'member'of'the'North' American'Travel'Journalists'Association,'and'has'received' many'NATJA'awards.In'his'spare'time,'he'travels'around' the'world'sampling'exotic'dishes'from'a'variety'of' locations.

4
You can do anything‌
The$Mongol$Minority
Meeting'the' Mongols By#Bono#Yoo Brisk$wind$whistled$through$the$grassy$ plains.$The$wild$grasslands$seemed$endless$as$ a$constant$breeze$whisked$them$back$and$ forth.$Compared$to$the$bustling$busy$streets$ of$New$York,$the$solitude$seemed$almost$ unnatural.$In$the$distance,$far,$far$away,$the$
possible.$Somehow,$as$soon$I$got$on$the$back$
white$yurts$scattered$around,$only$a$cluster$of$
of$my$horse,$I$got$bucked$off$and$Glew$a$few$
dots$in$the$horizon.$This$was$Inner$Mongolia,$
meters$away.$Everyone$roared$with$laughter$
home$to$the$Mongol$Minority.$
as$they$helped$me$get$back$on$my$feet.$ Understandably,$I$was$wary$of$my$horse$ when$we$started$to$head$towards$the$tribe.$$
I$was$visiting$a$Mongol$tribe$near$ Hohhot,China.$Before$the$trip,$I$had$asked$ them$to$meet$me$near$the$airport.$As$I$eagerly$
On$the$way,$as$the$horse$underneath$me$
waited$in$excitement,$I$soon$heard$rhythmic$
galloped$along,$I$remember$my$Girst$glimpse$
thumping$in$the$distance,$gradually$getting$
of$Inner$Mongolia.$It$had$an$untamed$beauty,$
closer.$I$was$sure$that$the$Mongols$were$on$
rich$with$green,$grassy$plains$stretching$as$
horses,$as$it$is$traditionally$stated$that,$“A$
far$as$the$eye$could$see.$Wild$horses$roamed$
Mongol$without$a$horse$is$like$a$bird$without$
the$countryside,$scattering$as$we$
wings.�$Before$long,$the$horsemen$skidded$to$
approached$them.$An$ocean$of$grass$
a$halt$in$front$of$me.$A$group$of$men$on$
surrounded$us,$with$the$horses$as$our$ships,$
horseback$greeted$me$and$introduced$
carving$a$pattern$through$the$landscape.$
themselves.$At$Girst$sight,$they$all$just$seemed$
There$were$no$deGinable$landmarks,$or$any$
like$big,$warrior$men$that$would$use$more$
buildings,$only$nature$at$its$purest$and$
brawn$then$brains.$But,$immediately,$I$
Ginest.$$
discovered$that$they$also$had$a$strong$sense$ By$the$time$we$got$to$the$tribe,$the$sun$was$ setting,$dipping$below$the$horizon,$its$last
of$humor$in$the$most$unfortunate$way$ 6
The$Mongol$Minority rays$shining$onto$the$yurts.$Immediately,$I$was$
lifestyle$of$the$Mongols,$centuries$ago,$their$diet$
introduced$to$my$two$hosts.$They$were$warm8
mainly$consisted$of$meat$and$dairy$products.$
hearted$and$welcomed$me$kindly.$I$was$honored$
They$could$only$eat$animals$they$could$bring$
when$I$was$presented$with$a$hada,$a$strip$of$silk$
along$with$them$as$they$traveled$from$place$to$
used$as$a$greeting$gift$among$Mongols.$It$is$only$
place.$Despite$the$expansion$in$the$diet,$milk$is$
given$to$guests,$that$they$believe$are$
still$a$major$part$of$Mongol$food.$It$can$be$made$
distinguished,$that$visit$their$home.$Standing$in$
into$many$foods$and$drinks,$including$yoghurt,$
shock,$I$had$struggled$to$remember$the$correct$
milk$tofu,$milk$tea,$and$milk$wine.$I$have$tried$
response$before$hurriedly$performing$it.$If$you$
many$different$cuisines$during$my$travels,$but$I$
are$lucky$enough$and$is$presented$a$hada,$you$
have$never$tried$I$meal$like$this.$I$had$a$full$
should$hold$it$gently$with$both$hands,$and$bow.$
traditional$meal,$and$sampled$a$bit$of$every$
The$presenter$then$would$bow$in$reply.$This was
dish.$Mutton,$beef,$goat,$milk;$I$tried$them$all.$I$
an act of mutual respect. Still surprised, I walked
will$always$remember$this$meal.$Unique$Flavors$
off to the yurt I was staying in.
of$the$delectable$dishes$exploded$on$my$tongue$ with$every$bite.$The$taste$of$the$food$lingered$in$ my$mouth$even$after$breakfast$was$over.$$
Now that I was alone, I took the chance to fully study the interior of the yurt. It was supported with crisscrossing beams of wood, with some animal felts and canvases covering it to make a tent like structure. All of this was designed with a purpose and goal in mind: to be able to be dismantled, carried on yaks, and be rebuilt on another campsite. This was essential, as the Mongols had a nomadic lifestyle. Despite the fragility of the yurt, it was surprisingly stable, and had a cozy feeling to it. I knew that it could keep me warm and safe from the rough winds outside at night.
Afterwards,$I$wandered$around$the$tribe$awhile$ taking$in$all$the$views.$After$asking$a$few$
The$next$day,$I$started$the$day$off$with$eating$ breakfast$with$the$host$family.$Currently, the diet of the Mongolians has been expanded to include pasta,$and$rice.$However,$due$to$the$nomadic$
people,$I$got$a$sense$of$what$a$traditional$ Mongol$society$was$like.$It$was$based$on$three$ different$things:$family,$clan,$and$tribe.$Clans$
7
The$Mongol$Minority were$formed$from$families$with$a$common$ ancestor,$and$as$clans$merged,$tribes$formed,$ with$it$being$named$by$the$strongest$clan.$ Weaker$clans$still$had$their$own$headmen$and$ livestock$but$had$to$answer$to$the$strongest$clan.$ It$was$interesting$to$see$a$society$like$this,$but$I$ realized$that$nearly$all$societies$have$similar$ principles.$The$main$one$is,$the$stronger$a$group$ is,$the$more$people$it$can$control$or$inFluence.$$ Surprisingly,$this$tribe$didn’t$go$to$the$Naadam$
everything$along$with$them.$As$I$helped,$it$was$
Festival$in$Mongolia.$Apparently,$they$only$go$
incredible$to$see$the$entire$site$efFiciently$being$
every$few$years,$because$the$tribe$didn’t$want$to$
packed$away$and$placed$on$the$backs$of$animals.$
go$through$all$the$hassle$in$traveling$to$the$
While$it$had$seemed$like$a$permanent$village,$it$
festival$and$back.$While$I$wasn’t$able$to$go$to$the$
was$actually$very$mobile.$Yurts$were$dismantled,$
festival,$my$host$family$regaled$me$with$tales$
belongings$were$stowed$away,$and$animals$were$
from$previous$festivals,$so$I$still$had$an$
herded$into$groups.$Everyone$worked$together,$
understanding$of$the$festival$itself.$This$was$one$
even$children$could$be$seen$running$around,$
of$the$most$important$times$in$the$year$for$the$
transporting$materials$and$food.$It$was$all$very$
Mongol$Minority.$From$July$15th$to$July$23rd,$it’s$
organized$and$we$got$ready$to$move$in$an$hour.$It$
when$people$compete$in$the$biggest$sporting$
was$a$unique$experience$to$travel$with$the$tribe.$
event$in$the$year.$The$word$"naadam"$means$
It$was$nothing$like$riding$by$alone,$as$the$support$
entertainment$in$the$Mongol$language.$Although$
of$everyone$in$the$tribe$had$made$me$feel$safer.$
the$festival$is$usually$known$the$Naadam$Festival,$
We$rode$for$hours$and$hours,$the$innocent$
its$full$name$is$Eriyn$Gurvan$Naadam,$or$"three$
grasslands$unfolding$before$us.$The$tribe’s$
manly$games",$which$are$horse$racing,$archery,$
herdsmen$constantly$circled$around$everyone,$
and$wrestling.$There$are$many$different$
making$sure$none$of$the$animals$escaped.$
activities,$including$traditional$folk$songs$and$
Eventually,$after$a$full$day$of$riding,$we$stopped$
dancing,$as$well$as$eating$many$traditional$
at$our$destination.$With$the$same$level$of$
Mongolian$foods.$$
efFiciency$as$before,$we$unpacked$everything$and$ started$building.$I$watched$as$the$village$was$ built,$piece8by8piece,$right$before$my$very$eyes.$It$
One$of$the$highlights$of$this$trip$was$moving$day,$ when$the$whole$tribe$changed$sites,$bringing$
was$a$sight$to$see.$$
8
The$Mongol$Minority Due$to$the$customs$of$the$minority,$the$elders$ chanted$a$poem$on$praising$horses,$paying$ tribute$to$all$the$horses$in$the$race.$Then,$as$if$ that$wasn’t$enough,$milk$wine$was$splashed$on$ the$winning$horse$to$celebrate$it.$It$was$a$novel$ experience.$$ All$too$soon,$I$had$to$leave$and$head$home.$After$ a$sentimental$goodbye$to$my$hosts,$and$the$ friends$I$made$during$my$short$visit,$I$left$the$
My$last$day$with$the$tribe$was$memorable.$It$was$
tribe$with$a$new$understanding$about$the$
the$horseracing$contest.$Horses$are$highly$
Mongol$Minority.$I$was$now$aware$of$how$their$
regarded$by$the$Mongols,$seeing$that$they$relied$
way$of$life$was$controlled$by$where$they$lived.$I$
on$horses$for$transport$and$food.$Because$of$this,$
now$understood$why$the$yurts$were$built$in$the$
horseracing$was$a$tradition$skill$of$young$men$in$
way$they$were,$why$they$only$ate$some$foods,$
the$Mongol$Minority.$Of$course,$this$meant$that$
why$they$had$horse$races,$and$so$on.$It$was$all$
horseracing$has$also$been$a$huge$sporting$
because$of$where$they$lived.$$
activity,$valued$highly$by$many$men.$$Competing$ for$speed$and$stamina,$it$was$a$Aierce$ competition.$The$riders$were$mostly$boys,$about$ 13$years$old,$but$I$was$allowed$to$join$as$a$guest.$ Although$I’ve$ridden$a$horse$before,$the$ experience$was$nothing$compared$to$this.$All$the$ riders,$including$me,$dressed$up$in$bright,$ colorful$costumes,$the$straps$on$our$heads$ Aluttering$in$the$wind.$As$the$competition$began,$ we$hurriedly$galloped$away,$leaving$behind$a$ cheering$audience.$It$was$an$amazing$experience.$ The$wind$blowing$past$my$face,$the$clear$blue$ sky,$the$rhythmic$thumping$of$the$horses$ footsteps,$and$the$sheer$sense$of$freedom$to$do$ something$incredible.$$
9
TOGETHER WE CAN EXPLORE THE WORLD 3
Dai"Minority A"Day"with"the"Dai BY JUSTIN ZENG
A Day with the Dai “Please keep your seatbelts on while the plane is taxiing.� I gazed across the dazzling mountains under the morning sun as I wondered what was awaiting me in my 24-hour stay with the Dai minority. I arrived in Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, for the first time since I arrived in Shanghai Hongqiao the air smelled fresh. I could seemingly smell the spring mountain dew. Going from the states to Xishuangbanna is somewhat convenient for an ethnic minority area. There are not trains
Compared to many other minorities the
or busses involved, no horses or camels. Only
Dai minority is extremely tourist friendly. The
many transfer flights. I took a direct flight for
main city of Xishuangbanna has a good amount
LA to Shanghai and from there I transferred
of luxury hotels and resorts such as Crowne
to Kunming, then finally to Xishuangbanna.
Plaza. It also contains the Xishuangbanna Dai
Many other minorities I have visited required
Nationality Garden, a popular tourist attraction
riding many different animals and many
and where I will be headed.
uncomfortable forms of public transport.
The Xishuangbanna Dai Nationality
temples, and many interesting shows. The
Garden is a park filled with actual Dai villages,
first thing I went to see was the Dai water
shows. The first thing I went to see was the Dai
festival.
water festival. It happens in mid April but here at the park they do a show every day. Basically people splash water at each other to wash away all bad luck and bring out happiness, the show consisted of many middle aged ladies splashing water on each other, it was not especially interesting. The Dai also race dragon boats and light fireworks during the festival for good luck. Similar festivals also take place in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.
11
Dai$Minority Dai minority is still known as Thai in
the uneven road. The driver had one
China. The languages spoken by the Dai and
hand on the wheel and another was sticking out
nearly exactly the same as the Northern Thai
the windows and holding a lit cigarette. We
ethnicity, the Northern Thai and Dai split
arrived at the house; it was a giant bamboo
happened no more than 2000 years ago,
structure. The house was on stilts, the first floor
some similar minorities in China such as the
is used to keep farm animals and is also used as
Bouyei and the Zhuang also originated in
storage, and the people never live on the first
Northern Thailand.
floor. In the winter the animals on the first
In the park there were many beautiful
floor give off heat to warm the people and the
golden temples. I discovered the Dai follow
second floor. If a flood were to hit the village
the same branch of Buddhism as the Thai. I
only the first floor will be damaged, leaving the
also learned young boys go to the temple to
citizens completely safe. These people have
instead of preschool to learn about Buddhist
adapted very well to their environment, they
values. It seem faith is a very vital part of the
take advantage of as much as possible. Where
Dai community. But when I saw some young
you live really does change how you live
monks playing video games inside a temple it
I walked up the creaking bamboo stairs
made me think otherwise, but overall the Dai
into the second floor of the house. A man of
is still a very religious group of people.
relatively short stature greeted me; he had
The field in the park was covered with
short hair and was smiling. He seemed middle
lush rice field and beautiful yellow
aged, 45-50 years old. I think he may have told
pineapples. There were also fields of what
me his name but I just smiled and introduced
looked like rice, ready to harvest. I was told
myself. He didn’t look like he understood me
that some of the main sources of money for
either. Then a woman in the kitchen said
the Dai minority are tourism, pineapples,
something, she was hard at work making lunch.
rice, and tea.
The lady was pretty short too; she had her hair
My next destination a village inside
in a ponytail. They were both wearing
the park that I will be staying at for a day, the
monochrome silk clothes. The lady also wore a
road to the to the village was surrounded by a
multicolored skirt. After a couple of minutes
forest of lush bamboo. The old wheel of the
the male host sat me down at a low wooden
van creaked as the wheel went over a rock on
table. On the wall I noticed a picture of a young
12
Dai$Minority man, maybe that is a picture of the son
path through the serene bamboo forest I
of the hosts. He may have left to find work
reached a rice paddy. At first I was not very
and opportunities. Both the hosts also sat
sure what he was going to make me do but after
down when the lady brought some food to
a while it was pretty clear. I was going to pick
the table. There was a dish of green
rice. So I rolled up my pants legs and stepped
vegetables and some rice and pineapple
into the rice paddies, when rice is harvested all
chunks inside an empty shell of a pineapple.
the water is let out to make the task easier. I
On the side there was also a dish that look
watched as the host cut each plant near the
like some kind of meat, I presumed it was
root, then I started harvesting some rice myself.
chicken. I was handed a pair of chopsticks
I worked hard and time went fast, soon there
and the lady used a spoon to put some of the
was a giant clump of harvest inside the bin.
pineapple rice inside my bowl. It smelled of
After that the man led me back to his
fresh pineapple. I used the chopsticks to put
house, he sat me down again and poured me
the first mouthful of rice in my mouth, it
some green tea, it was burning so I sipped it
unlike the fried rice in Panda Express back in
slowly, enjoying every single drop. When I was
California. It was sticky and sweet but still
little my Chinese grandmother always made tea
had a solid texture; I could taste the fresh
for me, at first I hated it but as I got older I
sweet pineapple. I loved the pineapple rice,
learnt to enjoy it. The tea the man poured me
but because I was careful with my manners I
was full of flavor, it reminded me of my
did not take too much, I flashed the lady a
grandmother, who passed away a few years ago.
double thumbs up and she smiled. I later
Just when I started to get overwhelmed by
found out it was glutinous rice, a special kind
emotions I started to get sleepy, I guess
of soft and sticky rice from Southern China.
harvesting rice under the Yunnan sun does
The chicken was very nice but extremely
make you drowsy. On second thought I
flavorful and spicy, after that my weak
remembered I was still severely jetlagged and
tongue was numb for days. The green
deprived from sleep. The lady saw me yawning
vegetables tasted nice, nothing special.
so she led me to a bedroom and left. The room
After a satisfying lunch the man gave
was relatively large; in the room were two beds.
me a broad rimmed straw hat and led me
But bed might be an overstatement;
outside, after a short walk across a little dirt
13
Dai$Minority they were basically carpets and some
extremely flavorful. The pork was also
sheets on a large bamboo mat. Near the bed
slightly sour but it still tasted very good. After
there was a small wooden round table and
finishing my meal I once again gave the female
four small stools around it. On that wall hung
host a double thumbs up, she responded with
a couple of old-fashioned rifles and the horn
another warm smile. After dinner the man
of an animal. One corner of the room was a
turned on an old looking TV and started
black fabric booth. I presumed it might be a
watching a show about one of the Sino-
bathroom or a changing room. When I lay
Japanese wars. The lady picked up a book and
down on the bed I discovered that it was
started reading. I picked up my Lenovo laptop
surprisingly cool and comfortable, this might
and started writing more about the trip. Before
be because of the bamboo mats. In southern
long it was time to sleep, my stay with the Dai
China these bamboo woven mats are popular
neared its end. The next morning I left the Dai
because the keep you cool when you sleep on
ethnic park and began my long series of flights
them.
back to Los Angeles. I woke up to sound of food being fried
On the plane I thought about why every
on a wok; the scent of a savory dinner was
ethnic group in China is different and about the
very strong. I got out of the bed and exited
reasons of all their special customs and
the room, so I could sit in the living room
differences. Some minorities are shaped by
and take some notes about me experience so
where they are from or what they believe in.
far. After some intense note taking the male
Other cultures are shaped by influence from
host opened the door and walked in with a
other cultures. But one of the biggest things
beer in his hand, he laughed and said
that shape each culture is where they live. In
something to his wife. He put the beer down,
the Dai culture you can see their housing is
and gestured for me to come to the dining
largely influenced by the climate and
room. Once again I sat down and was served
environment. From the plane flying away from
some food. This time there was still
Xishuangbanna I can see below that the Dai has
pineapple glutinous rice. But there was also a
shaped the environment with all its rice
huge plate of what looked like string beans
terraces and villages, but I can also see where
and pork. After tasting some of the beans I
the environment has shaped the Dai and
found that they were sour, spicy and
influenced every facet of the Dai culture.
14
15
Bai Minority Ho#Yin#Tsoi#
Bais#From#Thousands#Of#Li#Away# The#shrill#wailing#of#a#baby#woke#me#up#as#I# realized# it# was# only# 20# minutes# before# landing.#I’m#>inally#close#to#arriving#at#Dali,# the# place# where# I# had# been# assigned# to# travel# to# by# the# travel# company.# Through# the#compact#windows,#I#caught#a#glimpse#of# the#city#as#it#was#illuminated#by#a#profusion# of# night# lights,# it# was# much# different# than#
As#I#left#the#airport,#I#grabbed#the#trip#
Shanghai,# the# city# where# I# boarded# the#
plan#and#scanned#carefully#on#where#I#
plane.##
was# to# go# next.# My# >irst# destination# was#to#the#Cangshan#Mountain#where#
After#the#plane#landed,#I#wandered#through#
I#would#meet#my#Bai#family#hosts#that#
the# heavy# crowd,# trying# to# >ind# a# route# to#
would#take#me#to#all#the#special#sights#
luggage# claim.# # I# exhaled# with# relief# as# I#
and# help# me# experience# the# life# of# a#
>inally#escaped#the#ocean#of#people#and#was#
m e m b e r# o f# t h e# B a i# m i n o r i t y.#
able# to# inhale# my# >irst# breath# of# fresh# air#
Adrenaline# rushed# through# my# body#
here#in#Dali.# #By#then,#the#soar#pain#struck#
as# I# stepped# in# a# cab# and# left# the#
the# nerves# on# my# neck# and# fatigue# slowly#
airport.#
ventured# through# my# veins# and# spread# all#
The#moment#I#stepped#out#of#the#car,#I#
across# my# body.# It# was# my# outraged# body#
was# astonished# by# how# crowded# the#
telling#me#to#get#a#good#night#sleep,#and#for#
place# was.# Flashing# lights# lit# up# the#
this# time,# I# decided# to# not# to# listen# to# it#
place# like# >ireworks,# the# explosion# of#
because#I#was#too#exhilarated#by#what#I#was#
different# colors# # lit# up# the# whole#
going#to#experience#next.##
village.# Villagers# welcomed# me# as# some#stared#curiously#at#my#dissimilar# appearance.#
16
Bai Minority Looking' past' the' borders' of' the' village,' there' was' nothing' except' empty' lands' and'bodies'of'water.''Lights'rays'extended' towards' all' 4' directions,' lighting' up' the' surrounding' environments.' Between' the' streets,'there'were'many'restaurants'that' served' traditional' food' of' the' Bai' minority.' After' buying' some' pork,' I' walked'towards'the'east'of'the'village'to' meet'my'host.'
All#members#of#the#family#were#wearing#a#type#of# traditional# costume# known# as# the# Tonghua.#
The' east' section' was' much' quieter' than'
White# was# obviously# the# base# color# of# the#
the' busy' streets' of' the' west.' ' There' was'
costume# because# as# I# later# learned,# white#
an' immediate' change' in' theme' over' the'
signi>ied# high# social# status# as# well# as# dignity.# A#
different' sections.' ' I' reached' for' my' bag'
few# young# heads# poked# out# of# the# rooms# with#
and' pulled' out' a' sheet' of' paper' that' my'
curiosity,#as#I#was#the#>irst#foreigner#have#visited#
trip'planner'Alfred'has'given'me.'I'looked'
their# home.# The# man# guided# me# through# his#
carefully'at'the'house'number'that'I'was'
home,#and#later#on#clari>ied#that#this#was#only#a#
supposed'to'spend'the'night'at.''
traditional#Bai#house#containing#3#rooms,#2#wing# rooms,#4#small#courtyards#and#1#large#courtyard.#
5'minutes'of'intense'searching'passed'as'
We#walked#and#walked#until#we#stopped#in#front#
I'Cinally'arrived.'I'knocked'on'the'wooden'
of#a#room#with#a#splinter#>illed#wooden#door#
door'and'seconds'later,'the'metal'clinging' of' the' traditional' lock' clicked' as' an' old'
The# man# pointed# towards# the# room# and#
man'greeted'me'with'a'friendly'smile.He'
explained#that#this#room#would#be#where#
then' opened' his' mouth' and' spoke' 3'
I#was#going#to#stay#for#the#night#before#we#
simple' words' in' English' with' quite' an'
traveled# to# the# Cangshan# Mountain# next#
accent,' “You…Friend…Alfred?”.' I' simply'
morning.# He# then# told# me# that# his# name#
nodded'as'he'let'me'in.''
was#Hei#Lao#Hu#and#that#if#I#ever#were#to# need# anything,# he# would# be# in# the# next# room.
17
Bai Minority I# introduced# myself# to# him# and# told# him#
that# I’m# called# Zayne# and# is# from# a# country# far# away# from# here# called# the# U n i te d# K i n g d o m .# H e# n o d d e d# a n d# whispered# a# good# night# before# I# walked# into#my#room#and#fell#asleep.# Cool# air# brushed# against# my# weather# beaten# skin# as# birds# chirped# happily# outside# my# window.# It# rained# a# little# last# night# but# the# rain# has# brushed# off# of# the#
Pork# was# especially# common# in# the#
tilted#roofs.#The#room#was#wasn’t#very#hot#
Bai# families# due# to# the# easiness# of#
due#to#the#shades#that#the#trees#provided.#
raising# a# pig.# In# Yunnan# there# isn’t#
Well# on# the# other# hand,# it# wasn’t# cold#
much# grassland# and# crops# to# raise#
either# because# of# the# amount# of# heat# the#
sheep,# chicken# or# cow.# Therefore# it#
walls#provided.##
was#perfectly#>ine#to#raise#pigs#due#to# their#unset#diet.##
Through#the#window,#I#could#see#the#early# street# already# >illed# with# tourists# and#
As# I# >inished# the# delicious# breakfast,#
workers.# My# belly# rumbled# as# the# sweet#
the#woman#walked#out#of#the#kitchen#
aroma#of#food#triggered#my#hunger,#I#have#
wearing# their# multicolored# dresses.#
come# to# an# conclusion# that# it# was# in# fact#
They#picked#up#the#plates#and#scraps#
time#for#me#to#wake#up#and#start#my#>irst#
as# Hei# Lao# Hu# and# I# took# of# to# the#
journey#here#in#Dali.###
mountain.# As# walked# towards# the# foot# of# the# mountain,# Hei# Lao# Hu#
After# being# dressed,# I# walked# out# of# my#
provided# me# with# some# background#
room#>inding#Hei#Lao#Hu#already#sitting#in#
information# of# the# Bai# minority.# He#
front# of# my# room# waiting# for# me# to#
tried#his#best#to#convert#the#complex#
awaken.#We#walked#together#as#he#led#me#
history#of#the#Bais#into#plain#English#
to# the# kitchen# where# a# wooden# table# and#
as# I# took# out# my# notebook# to# jot#
chair# were# set# up.# On# that# table# were# 3#
down#some#important#notes.#
simple# pieces# of# bread,# milk# and# bits# of# pork.#
18
Bai Minority  
I#learnt#that#Bais#were#in#fact#descendants# of# the# Ji# population# that# lived# near# the# Huangshui# River# about# 2200# years# ago,# and# that# the# population# soon# migrated# toward# the# east# of# Lanchang# River# in# Yunnan# and# the# North# of# Honghe# River.# During# that# period,# they# shared# lands#
The#streams#soon#collapsed#into#the#lake#at#
with#the#Qiangs,#but#as#the#number#of#Jis#
the#foot#of#the#mountain.#As#we#ventured#
dwindled,# they# became# known# as# the#
higher#into#the#top,#I#started#to#feel#quite#
Bais.#He#also#explained#many#traditions#of#
noxious.#It#was#probably#because#of#the#high#
the#minority#and#told#me#that#we#were#in#
altitude#the#mountain#possessed.#However#
fact# going# to# visit# one# of# the# biggest# Bai#
the#higher#I#went,#the#more#I#saw.##
festivals# of# the# year# this# afternoon# on# March#15th.##
The#sight#was#unbelievable#at#the#top#of#the# mountain.#The#un\melted#snow#that#covered#
30# minutes# passed# quite# fast# from# the#
the#top#lured#many#tourists#to#climb#to#the#
engaging#conversation#we#had.#We#>inally#
peak.#The#air#became#colder#as#more#land#
arrived# at# the# foot# of# the# mountain.#
became#covered#with#more#snow.#The#snow#
Flower#petals#danced#with#the#wind#as#it#
on#this#mountain#is#indeed#quite#special#due#
carried# it# farther# and# farther.# The# colors#
to#the#legend#behind#it.#Hei#Lao#Hu#told#me#
of# grass# decorated# the# mountain,# as# the#
that#legend#states,#there#was#once#a#plague#
>lowers# added# >inishing# touches# to# the#
god#that#terrorized#the#city#of#Dali.#In#order#
wonderful# scenery.# We# climbed# and#
to#stop#him,#a#brother#and#sister#learnt#
climbed,# exploring# the# mountain# bit# by#
magic.#In#the#end#they#have#defeated#the#
bit.#Through#our#journey#towards#the#top,#
plague#god#and#froze#him#on#the#top#of#the#
I#witnessed#many#stupendous#sights.##
mountain.#To#keep#the#plague#god#under# control,#the#sister#became#the#snow#god#that#
The#18#streams#of#the#mountain#acted#
guarded#the#top#of#the#mountain.#Ever#since#
like#veins#that#carried#water#of#the#purest#
then,#the#mountain#has#been#adored#with#
from#side#to#side.#
shiny#and#amazing#snow.###
19
Bai Minority As# the# day# reached# noon,# the# rich# orange# yellowish# light# of# the# sun# enlightened# the# whole# mountain.# Through# the# blazing# rays# of# sun,# I# could# see# the# ancient# relic# “# Three# Pagodas�.# # The# guide# explained# that# the# Three# Pagodas# were# built# during# 823\840# AD#and#became#one#of#the#tallest#pagodas#in# Chinese#history.#The#material#used#to#built#is# ancient# wonder# include# a# type# of# marble# from# the# core# of# Cangshan# mountain# itself.#
Costumes#were#hanging#all#over#the#walls#
The#tough#and#exquisite#marble#deep#inside#
as# a# friendly# lady# came# to# greet# us.# The#
the#mountain#was#perfect#for#this#job.#All#the#
two# of# them# spoke# in# native# language# as#
d e l i c a t e l y# c a r v e d# c o r n e r s ,# r o o f s ,#
the# lady# just# nodded# and# smiled.# She#
windowpanes#and#walls#of#the#pagoda#were#
took# out# a# measuring# tape# and# took# my#
mostly# carved# out# of# marble.# I# was# truly#
size.# After# measuring,# she# disappeared#
impressed# by# the# art# and# architectures# of#
into# the# cramped# storage# and# when# she#
the#Ancient#Chinese#civilization.#
came# out,# in# her# hands# were# a# beautiful# white#and#black#costume.##
Exploring# the# Cangshan# mountain# took# up# almost#half#of#the#day,#and#yet#as#Hei#Lao#Hu#
I#tried#it#on#and#it#>itted#quite#well.#I#was#
explained,#the#fun#hasn’t#started#yet#because#
astonished# upon# how# I# looked# in# the#
we# still# have# the# festival# to# attend.# Despite#
baggy# costume# and# felt# quite# awkward#
the# cramped# time# schedule,# Hei# Lao# Hu#
wearing# something# so# different# from#
insisted# that# I# purchase# a# traditional#
what# I# have# previously# worn# before.# Hei#
costume# to# attend# the# festival.# We# walked#
Lao#Hu#then#asked#me#whether#if#I#liked#
about# 25# minutes# until# we# arrived# in# front#
it#or#not,#I#replied#with#a#simple#yes.#That#
of# a# small# shop.# The# unique# fragrant# of# the#
was# when# he# reached# deep# into# his#
shop# triggered# my# senses;# it# was# unlike#
pockets# and# pulled# out# reddish# pink#
anything#I#have#ever#smelled#before.
paper.
20
Bai Minority
This# festival# was# held# in# the# honor# of# Guan# yin,# the# goddess# of# mercy.# A# long# time# ago,# Dali#was#said#to#be#inherited#by#a#evil#demon# called# Luocha.# Luocha# was# harming# people# and# bringing# misfortune# amongst# families.# One# day,# the# god# of# mercy,# Guan# Yin# came# pass#this#city#and#defeated#the#monster.#Now# and# then,# people# hold# this# festival# on# the# Lunar# 15th,# the# day# where# Guan# Yin# slayed# the#demon.##This#traditional#festival#has#been# going# on# for# about# 1000# years# now# and# has#
The#cab#that#my#trip#planner#booked#had#
always#been#one#of#the#biggest#festivals#of#all#
already#been#waiting#for#me#outside#on#the#
year.##
main#street.#I#headed#towards#the#airport#as# >lashbacks#started#inside#my#mind.#I#
Night# arrived# quite# fast# for# me# due# to# how#
remembered#all#the#precious#moments#I’ve#had#
involved# I# was.# It# was# time# for# me# to# head#
and#all#the#things#that#I#have#learned.#The#Bais#
back#to#the#airport#and#catch#my#plane#back#
have#really#been#a#friend#to#me.#They#have#
to#Shanghai.#I#looked#for#Hei#Lao#Hu#and#said#
sheltered#me#and#included#me#into#their#big#
a#last#goodbye.#Tears#came#running#down#his#
family.#Throughout#the#days,#I#have#learnt#the#
rough# cheeks# as# he# shook# my# hand# and#
true#meaning#of#being#a#Bai.##
thanked# me# for# how# well# of# a# friend# I# was.# Before# I# left,# I# gave# something# to# him.#
Being#a#Bai#means#to#support#each#other#no#
Although# it# wasn’t# considered# much# of# a#
matter#what#happens.#Being#a#Bai#means#to#be#
thing#to#us,#it#was#to#him.#I#gave#him#his#>irst#
kind#and#accept#newcomers.#Being#a#Bai#means#
bag# of# potato# chips.# He# overwhelmed# me#
to#face#everything#with#a#positive#attitude#and#
with# gratitude# as# he# thanked# me# again# and#
to#enjoy#every#aspect#of#life.#Being#a#Bai#means#
again.# Even# though# my# body# wanted# to# stay,#
to#be#able#to#solve#dif>icult#situations#in#
my#mind#reminded#me#of#the#time#I#had#left#
different#ways.#No#matter#how#hostile#the#
to# catch# the# plane.# I# wandered# through# the#
environment#becomes,#they#would#always#come#
crowd#as#I#looked#back#and#saw#Hei#Lao#Hu’s#
up#with#solutions#to#improve#their#life.#No#
shadow#disappear#into#the#crowd#of#people.##
matter#how#dif>icult#life#can#be,#they#would# always#>ind#a#way#to#improve#it… 21
iPhone 6 Bigger than bigger
# # # # # Tibetan#Minority Adventure on the Roof of the World As# I# gazed# across# the# charming# Tibetan# landscape,# with# the# calming# wind# blowing# in# my#face,#my#mind#was#taken#to#another#realm# of# tranquil# appreciation.# Whether# it# was# the# soothing# lakes,# deep# valleys,# elegant# green# forests,# sparkling# snow# mountains,# vast# grasslands,# or# magni@icent# monasteries,# I# could# not# deny# the# aesthetic# sceneries# and# sublime# vistas# that# made# Tibet# one# of# the# most# magical# places# on# earth.# It# certainly# made# me# willing# to# go# through# the# food# sickness,# poor# living# conditions,# and# bumpy# roads.#
###
Despite#my#fatigue#of#only#sleeping#
about# eight# hours# on# my# ride# from# the# States,# I# still# felt# as# energized# as# can# be.# Maybe# it# is# the# feeling# of# entering# a# foreign# country# or# even# just# the# undying# anticipation# of# entering# a# place# of# such#
I# had# just# @lown# a# 14Ehour# nonEstop#
beauty# and# elegance;# I# did# not# want# to#
trip# from# LAX.# As# I# exited# my# @light# and#
miss# the# slightest# little# detail.# After# all,# I#
stepped# into# the# Beijing# Airport ,# I#
have#been#planning#these#trips#for#months#
immediately# could# see# immense# crowds# of#
now.# The# travel# magazines# and# articles#
people.# The# smell# of# cigarettes# and# plastic#
have#mesmerized#me#ever#since#I#was#still#
@lowed# into# my# nose# as# I# walked# to# my#
in# elementary# school.# I# have# traveled# to#
boarding# gate.# I# could# hear# the# footsteps# of#
many# countries# over# the# course# of# my#
people#by#the#hundreds#moving#haphazardly#
career# as# a# travel# writer,# and# I# can# say#
as# they# rolled# their# luggage# along# the# tiled#
without# a# doubt# that# Lhasa# has# been# on#
@loors#of#terminal#building.#I#had#just#got#off#
the#top#of#my#list.#It#has#It#is#impossible#to#
the#plane#at#around#@ive#o’#clock#Beijing#time#
fathom# how# much# time# and# effort# I# have#
and#had#a#@light#in#about#one#hours#until#my#
put# into# this# single# trip# to# make# the#
@light#to#Lhasa#Gonggar#Airport,#in#Tibet.#
perfect#experience.#
###
23
# # # # # Tibetan#Minority ###
My#@light#approached#the#runway#of#
the# Lhasa# Gonggar# Airport.# At# the# time,# it# was#around#three#o#clock#in#Lhasa.#My#ears# were# suddenly# pierced# by# the# airplane# announcement.#It#said#that#there#was#only# @ifteen#minutes#before#landing.#I#felt#dizzy;# my# eyes# were# barely# open# and# were# @illed# with# red# strands# that# seemed# to# stretch# towards#my#pupils.#I#had#about#one#hour#of# sleep# the# whole# trip# before# being# awaked# by#the#loud#clamor#of#the#other#passengers.# As# I# looked# out# the# windows,# I# was# immediately#infected#with#an#otherworldly# sensation#I#have#never#felt#before.#Perhaps# it# was# the# mountains# sunEkissed# by# the# glimmering#August#sun,#or#maybe#the#high# altitudes# that# made# my# mind# see# things# with#intoxicating#clarity.#At#that#moment,#I# forgot#my#headache,#my#fatigue,#and#all#my# stresses.# That# is# when# I# knew# I# have# arrived.#
###
#
###
Upon# arriving# at# the# airport# with#
nobody# but# myself,# we# met# our# guide,# Mengka.# I# was# met# with# an# enthusiastic# “Nihao!”# immediately.# Welcome# to# Lhasa!”# he#greeted#excitedly,#shaking#my#hands#as#I# followed#him#to#his#jeep.#He#was#short#man# no#taller#than#1.7#meters.##His#skin#seemed# dark# and# dry.# He# wore# a# short# upper# garment# made# of# silk# or# cloth# with# long#
sleeves# inside,# a# wide# and# loose# robe# outside# and# long# boots# of# cattle# hide.# His# arms# were# exposed# and# wore# a# strip# of# snowEwhite# scarf# made# of# yarn# or# silk# called#Hada.#When#I#asked#him#what#all#of# his# clothes# meant# he# responded# that# everything# he# wore# symbolized# goodwill# and# respect# for# the# arrival# and# departure# of# guests.# He# also# said# that# as# it# gets# nearer#to#winter#time,#the#clothes#he#wore# was#also#a#great#way#to#keep#warm.# ###
Our# @irst# trip# was# to# the# Potala#
Palace.#We#took#Mengke’s#jeep#to#the#heart#
# # # # # Tibetan#Minority of# the# city.# The# trip# was# very# bumpy# with#
The#palace#is#fronted#by#a#square,#enclosed#
the# underdeveloped# roads# of# Lhasa.# But# as#
by# walls# and# gates.# A# series# of# fairly# easy#
soon#as#we#arrived#at#the#massive#structure,#
staircases# allows# you# to# ascent# to# the#
my# jaws# dropped# in# awe.# The# fortress# like#
summit# of# the# rock.# The# most# important#
b u i l d i n g# s i t s# a to p# a# ro c k y# h i l l to p#
thing#you#can#do#before#the#climb#is#to#get#
overlooking#the#entire#city#of#Lhasa.#On#the#
use# to# the# high# altitude# of# Lhasa,#
very# top# of# the# building# was# the# distinctive#
considering# the# fact# that# the# Potala# Palace#
golden# roof# ablaze# under# the# sun.# In# the#
is#the#highest#palace#in#the#world.#On#top#of#
background,# rests# the# repetitive# mountains#
the# palace,# the# whole# Lhasa# landscape# is#
that# surround# the# whole# structure# as# if#
visible.# The# mountains,# the# Kyi# River,# the#
creating# a# natural# barrier# to# preserve# the#
roads,# and# building# all# weave# together# a#
beauty.#Everything#seemed#so#surreal#
unique# and# extraordinary# tapestry# that# casts#a#subtle#yet#hypnotic#spell#on#you#that#
###
M e n g k e# t o l d# m e# t h e# P o t a l a#
will# remain# for# the# rest# of# the# trip.# It# is#
Palace# was# the# primary# residence# of# the#
truly# a# scene# that# cannot# be# missed.# The#
Dalai#Lama#until#1959,#when#the#14th#Dalai#
only#negatives#I#can#possibly#say#about#the#
Lama# @led# to# Dharamsala# after# a# failed#
Palace# are# the# horrid# pungency# of# the#
uprising.# Now,# it# is# a# no# longer# a# living#
bathrooms.##
quarter#for#Lamas#but#a#museum#that#shows# the# culture# dating# back# generations,# and#
###
Mengke#asked#me#if#I#wanted#to#go#to#
relics# and# artifacts# from# centuries# before.#
one#of#the#grandest#transitional#festivals#in#
Even#though#it#is#now#a#museum,#the#life#of#
Tibet,# the# Shoton# festival.# It# celebrates# the# Tibetan# monks# who# end# their# season# of# meditation.# It# was# held# at# Norbulingka# or# "Jewel# Park"# palace,# which# was# also# the# place#we#were#heading#towards#next.#I#have# heard# about# the# Shoton# festival# before# when#I#was#doing#research#for#this#trip#but# I#never#got#into#it#much.#This#was#going#to# be# my# @irst# hand# experience# of# a# real# festival#held#in#Tibet.#
25
###
# # # # # Tibetan#Minority ###
There# was# a# lot# of# commotion# in# the#
Festival.##
crowds#when#we#returned#to#the#square.#All# of# the# locals# had# gathered# into# the# densely#
#
As# they# rolled# up# the# Thanka,# the#
populated# area# looking# very# excited# about#
Tibetan# Opera# show# has# begun.# On# stage#
something.# In# there# hands# were# baskets#
stood# various# characters# each# with# a#
@illed# with# a# cornucopia# of# goods# ranging#
different# yet# equally# brightly# colored#
from# breads# to# yoghurt.# Suddenly,# the#
costumes.# Everybody# in# the# crowd# was#
crowd# roared# to# life# making# the# normally#
now# all# talking# to# each# other# in# their#
quite# monastery# vibrate# with# energy.# With#
native#Tibetan#tongue.#Although#I#did#not#
the# sound# of# a# horn# reverberating# through#
understand# what# they# were# saying,# I#
the# valley,# about# thirty# ~# forty# lamas# walk#
could# still# feel# an# undeniable# sense# of#
towards# the# west# where# they# were# waited#
excitement# present.# The# characters# on#
by# the# large# Buddha# picture# exhibition.# It#
stage# danced# vibrantly# to# the# traditional#
felt# like# an# American# parade# except# with#
Tibetan# music.# It# felt# like# watching# a#
more#excitement#within#the#crowds.#
spectacular#mesh#of#color#and#motion#that# enchanted# my# mind# and# everybody’s#
###
At#this#point,#being#a#foreign#tourist#I#
around# me.# I# could# not# help# but# dance#
was# slightly# confused# not# understanding#
along#with#them#until#I#was#out#of#breath.#
what# exactly# was# going# on.# Mengke# ran# straight# into# the# crowd# while# gesturing# for#
###
me# to# follow# him.# At# that# moment,# the#
everybody# had# yogurt# in# their# hands.# I#
greyish# smoke# rises# from# all# directions,#
asked#Mengke#who#had#some#in#his#hand#
while#horns#and#chanting#echo#through#the#
as#well#what#is#was#about.#He#told#me#that#
square.# A# large# picture# of# Buddha,# or#
In# the# Tibetan# language,# the# word#
Thanka# slowly# opens.# People# rush# up# to#
“Shoton”# roughly# translates# to# “sour# milk#
offer#white#hada.#Countless#hada#@ly#in#front#
banquet”# or# “yogurt# festival”.# He# handed#
of# the# Buddha# picture# forming# a# great#
me# a# cup# of# yogurt# and# furthered#
scene.# Mengke# told# me# that# this# ceremony#
explained# to# me# that# the# Shoton# festival#
was# known# as# the# Great# Buddha# Display,#
was# originally# a# completely# religious#
which#of@icially#marked#the#beginning#of#the#
event#that#started#in#midE11th#century.#At#
26
Scanning#the#crowd,#I#realized#that#
% % % % % Tibetan%Minority event% that% started% in% mid-11th% century.% At%
%%%
By% this% time,% the% sun% has% begun% to%
that% time,% people% sacri8ice% yogurt% to%
set.% Around% the% house,% you% could% feel% a%
monasteries.% Now,% it% has% been% turned% into%
sense% of% calm% and% at% ease.% It% was% by% no%
more% of% a% celebration% that% includes%
means%a%fancy%house%but%certainly%one%of%
traditional% Buddha% show,% show% of% arts,%
the% most% unique% and% recognizable% one% I%
sports,%tourism%and%leisure.%Finally%eating%the%
have%seen%in%a%while.%The%one%story%wood%
rich%and%creamy%yogurt,%I%
and% stone% structure%
realized% that% the% Shoton%
leaned% vertically%
festival% combines% both%
against% the% hillside.%
t r a d i t i o n%
a n d%
Mengke% told% me%
modernism%for%people%to%
that% this% was% to%
see% both% historic% and%
ensure% stability%
contemporary% sides% of%
when% the% weather%
Tibet.%
in% Lhasa% gets% too%
%%%
%
%%%
I t%
windy.% The% main% w a s%
structure% of% the%
approaching% night;% we%
h o u s e% w a s% a l s o%
decided% it% was% time% to% visit% his% house% for%
whitewashed% with% patterns% of% suns,%
tradition% Tibetan% meal.% I% trudged% along% the%
moons% and% bands% of% red% and% black.%
narrow% roads% to% the% city% and% back% to%
Observing% the% house% a% bit% closer% now,% I%
Mengke’s% house.% We% walked% on% a% long% rocky%
noticed% that% the% walls% are% slanted.% I%
road% and% into% a% quiet% little% village.% At% this%
learned% that% the% angled% walls% were%
point,% we% have% walked% 8% miles% and% my% feet%
protection% against% the% frequent% natural%
were% covered% with% blisters% and% I% was%
d i s a s te r s% t h a t% t a ke% p l a c e% i n% t h e%
struggling% for% air.% Mengke% on% the% other% hand%
mountainous% area% where% he% lived.%
seemed%to%be%the%same%state%as%he%was%when%I%
Looking% back% at% the% house,% it% was% the%
8irst% met% him.% He% told% me% to% bring% extra%
primitive% simplicity% that% made% it% look% so%
inhalers%knowing%the%high%altitudes%of%Lhasa.%%
much%more%appealing.%
27
% % % % % Tibetan%Minority %%%
Entering% the% house,% I% was% cordially%
greeted% by% Mengke’s% wife,% Jingpa% and% his% seventeen-year-old% daughter,% Sonam.% They% were% preparing% dinner% in% the% little% stove% in% one% corner% of% the% room.% I% sat% down% on% the% cotton% couch% trying% to% make% myself% comfortable.% In% the% house% were% two% beds,% central% stove,% a% table% with% pillows% strewn% around% it,% and% a% traditional% wooden% Chinese%
where%lunch%was%to%be%served.%Jingpa%and%
“sofa”.% Although% it% did% not% seem% like% a% lot,% it%
Sonam% passed% out% small% plates,% and%
still% had% all% of% the% necessities% one% needs% to%
placed% a% heaping% serving% of% meat% on% the%
have% a% pleasant% life.% I% noticed% the% painting%
table.% I% could% already% smell% the% fragrance%
and% the% all% of% the% Buddha% statues% that%
of% the% foreign% spices% and% sauces.% The%
surrounded% and% embellished% the% room.%
smell% itself% already% was% enough% to% make%
There%was%also%an%altar%table%for%worshiping%
craving% for% more.% There% were% Yak% and%
Buddha.%Mengke%told%me%that%this%represents%
Goat% meat% with% slices% of% cheese% and%
Tibetans%piety%to%their%religion.%It%seems%like%
dumplings.% It% was% accompanied% by%
a%stuffed%little%monastery%itself.%I%asked%him%if%
tsampa,% 8lour% milled% from% roasted% barley%
it%ever%gets%cold%here%still%jotting%down%notes%
and% barley% wine.% As% we% ate,% Mengke% told%
and%taking%in%all%the%scenery.%Mengke%nodded%
me% that% tsampa% and% barley% wine% are% the%
and% told% us% with% a% throaty% laugh% that% they%
staple% foods% of% Tibet,% while% meat% and%
used% stonewalls% three% meters% thick% and% yak%
dairy% products% are% an% indispensable%
hair%as%blankets%to%insulate%heat%and%prevent%
addition.% He% also% told% me% about% how%
wind%from%getting%hypothermia.%“Might%smell%
friendliness,% hospitality,% generosity% and%
bad,%but%very%useful%in%winter!”%
sel8lessness% are% the% basis% of% Tibetan% etiquette.% “This% what% make% our% dinner%
%%%
It% was% time% for% lunch% afterwards.% We%
all%gathered%around%a%small%wooden%table,%
great.”% He% said% as% he% passed% around% the% tsampa% for% me% to% try% out.% The% whole%
28
% % % % % Tibetan%Minority experience% felt% like% an% old% family% reunion,%
one% of% the% planets% most% unique% and%
which% strongly% shows% the% openness% and%
unforgettable% adventures?% The% answer%
warmth%of%the%Tibetans.%%
would%be%a%very%de8inite%“no”.%%
%%%
%%%
We%spent%the%rest%of%the%day%sitting%in%
%
%
As%a%journalist,%I%am%constantly%faced%
the,% drinking% yak% butter% tea% and% admiring%
with%the%task%of%experiencing%new%cultures%
the% view.% The% misty% air% made% the% village%
and%one%of%the%many%questions%that%I%bring%
seem%like%a%dream,%and%as%it%got%darker%the%
along%me%every%single%trip%is%“why%is%where%
clearer%your%mind%got.%After%dark%I%unrolled%
important”.%Some%minorities%are%shaped%by%
our%sleeping%bags%onto%the%wooden%8loor%of%
their% beliefs,% religion,% others% by% their%
Mengke’s%home,%and%slept%to%prepare%for%my%
history.% Though% perhaps% the% most%
8:30%train%back%to%Beijing%the%next%morning.%
important% aspect% of% determining% the% core% of% a% culture% is% the% “where”.% It% tells% us% how%
%%%
There%was%no%rush%to%go%to%the%train%
they% adapt% to% the% environment,% how% they%
station% in% the% morning,% since% I% found% it%
acquire% food,% and% even% how% they% live% out%
excruciatingly% dif8icult% to% say% goodbye.% It%
their%daily%lives.%This%can%be%seen%from%the%
wasn’t%until%7:00%that%we%said%our%farewells,%
unique% structure% housing% of% Tibetan%
and%boarded%a%taxi%that%took%us%to%the%Lhasa%
minority%to%protect%them%against%the%harsh%
Railway%Station.%The%polluted%air%of%Beijing%
winters.% So% the% next% time% you% go% to% an%
greeted%me%at%the%Beijing%Railway%station.%It%
foreign% land% or% an% exotic% vacation% spot,%
was% a% bad% air% day% today,% something% you%
always% ask% yourself,% why% is% where%
would%not%have%too%often%in%Tibet.%I%looked%
important?%
into% my% notebook% now% crowded% with% my% notes% and% sketches.% It% was% almost%
Matthew Lu
completely% 8illed% out% during% my% short% stay% in% Tibet.% And% now% that% the% trip% was% over,% I% can% 8inally% answer% the% question% can% you% really%live%with%the%regret%of%missing%out%on%
29
Citations "Dissident's Wife, Son 'Disappear'" Radio Free Asia. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2015. "Tibet Travel Resources." Lhasa China Map, Map of Lhasa China, Lhasa Location Map. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2015.
"UE 24." Iufm42chine. N.p., 04 May 2011. Web. 08 May 2015.
"The Rise of Rubber Takes Toll On Forests of Southwest China." By Mike Ives: Yale Environment 360. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2015.
N.p., n.d. Web.
United States. National Park Service. "Yellowstone's Photo Collection." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 14 May 2015.
N.p., n.d. Web.
N.p., n.d. Web. "Waterfall Sunset." PicHost. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2015.
N.p., n.d. Web. "Adidas Logo HD Wallpaper." DesktopWallpapers4. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.
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Brings out the human in men. Braun Series 5
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