# 59 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College-Xiahe- The Locals

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe
May 3rd 2007

Published: August 11th 2007

The present residents of Xiahe consist of about 45% Tibetans, 45% Han Chinese and 10% Hui Muslim, providing an interesting mix. As development continues, with road-widening projects, rumours of an airport, the tearing down of traditional housing and the erecting of ugly, bright new hotels and ever more souvenir shops, it is obvious that this mix is rapidly changing. The local Tibetans and Hui are ... Read Full Entry

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Susan Storr

Sue Treadie

This blog was started in 2006 when I embarked on a new life adventure teaching English in China. It was a wonderful, enriching and enlightening experience. Many of you came on this journey with me. For those of you who are searching for more meaning and satisfaction in your life and feel that teaching languages overseas might fit the bill, I enthusiastically encourage you to take up the challenge as I did nine years ago. You will never regret it. In fact you will probably say "Why didn't I do this years ago?" I then began a journal of my journey home to Australia- the long way round! U... full info

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Drying dung for fuel

Animal dung is dried and used for fuel. (Look to the right of the doorway) A very environmentally-friendly method I am told. No, it doesn't smell!

Local hardware store

Some of the local traditional stores, like this one, still do brisk business. If you need anything plastic or metal, they've got it!

Proud owner of a tibetan dog shows off his pooch

A daily ritual for this man was to parade up and down the main street showing off his dog, stopping to chat on the way with many admirers.

Here's a close-up!

Tibetan dogs are known for their ferocity. This one was amazingly patient as people patted and prodded him.

Contract workers

This lady and her husband had been contracted to build a new house. All by hand, of course.

Mother pig waddles through town

Despite the modernizing of Xiahe, pigs,cows,sheep, goats and yaks still meander through town at their leisure!

Piglets snuffle for goodies

Babies are not far behind!

Yak in town

Actually I think this specimen is a dzo-a crossbreed of a bull with a female yak.

Juniper bush for sale

Juniper is burnt as a daily offering to summon up the benevolence of Chenrizig. This vender has a thriving business.

Buying bread

Locals haggling over the quality and price of bread. The old lady sticks to her original price!

Custom's a bit slow...

Later in the day, her daughter relaxes and waits for the next customer. She was delightful, offering me something to sit on and giving me a loaf of freshly baked bread and would not accept payment for it.

Negotiating payment again

This lady did her best to get a better price, but the driver stuck to "his guns"! Despite my lack of language, I am still learning valuable lessons in acting!

Hand-winnowing the barley

Barley is loaded into one of two woven scoops then held up in the air and poured into the other. The wind does the rest.

Tibetan ladies take time out for a refreshing ice-block

It's a warm day, so these pilgrims relax with a lovely, cooling ice-cream/ice-block.

Local Tibetans take an early evening stroll

I loved eating on one of the second floor cafes where I could observe local life continuing below.

Sue & ladies of leisure

These lovely ladies made room at their table for us, so we could eat at our favourite cafe. I met up again with the lady on the left on this current visit (July). She was delighted to receive the photographs and invited Stef and I to her home. ( more photos in another blog)

Sharing a meal at Mt Kailash restaurant

One of the terrific trio of Tibetan ladies taking time to be friendly to three foreigners.

Youth Hostel

There is a new Hostelling International hostel opened in the backstreets of Xiahe, near the Daxia River. On my first visit it was not officially opened, but was taking bookings. Very friendly, but not a word of English!

Youth Hostel again

Entrance to the residential building.

Tangka exhibition hall in progress

This building is due for completion before the summer holidays. Didn't get a chance to look inside on my second visit this month (July). It houses lots of sacred tangka paintings both created here and from other artists.

Sacred Tangka painting

The hostel and Tangka Art Centre is the brain child of a local monk. Here some of the artists carry on their detailed work. Intense concentration is required.

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# 59 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College-Xiahe- The Locals

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