Sichuan (四川), China (中国)
March 2013
Merlion Wayfarer was fortunate that her travel itinerary included a visit to a Zang household. After seeing many houses along the way, it was indeed fascinating to be finally going inside one!
A Wood-And-Brick House
The house is a short walk from the road. This is probably due to the admirable efforts of the government to improve the living conditions of the ethnic minorities.
The house as seen from the outside. Over in this village,
there are no need for tall fences to keep people out...
The exterior of the house is made from split stones glued together with clay...
Like several other ethnic minorities,
a cattle skull placed over the front door guards over the entrance to the house...
The Tibetan-style windows are distinctive with their U-shapes and colourful frames...
The heavy front door with a tinge of Chinese influence in its lion head brass knocker...
Warm In Winter, Cool In Summer
Due to the freezing sub-zero temperatures in winter, the houses built must be suitable for the weather conditions. These houses are warm in winter and retain heat well, yet are cool in summer when the temperature hits 30 degrees Celsius.
Blue-tinted indoor neon lights...
Beautiful woven carpets with plant motifs...
The family's utensils are placed in polished handcrafted cupboard which fit snugly into the wall recess...
Longings of Potala in Lhasa are hinted in this poster
stretching the half the length of the entire living room...
According to Tour Guide C, this house has no flush toilets. Running water is via the river behind the house. Due to the cold weather, there are no bathing facilities. If need be, hot water is boiled in a tub for a bath.
It was in such cosy conditions that Merlion Wayfarer and her group got to enjoy the warm hospitality of the Tibetan family and a warm cup of
"Yak Butter Tea" heated over a stove started with a wood fire.
The Outside
Upon stepping out of the three-storeyed house...
Cattle and yaks roam about freely on the streets of the village...
Beware where you step! Lots of landmines around...
Their "garden'" is an indication of their simple lifestyle...
It does take a lot of effort to cut down all the trees and split this amount of firewood!
Just a few steps away one sees a pretty little waterfall...
Mounds made from clay are put out on the bridge to dry.
When ready, they will be painted and placed as decorations on the house...
A pretty stone-paved walkway leading from the house...
On the hillocks behind the house, the herd grazes quietly...
How the wood-and-brick house on the hill looks like...
The Family
When Merlion Wayfarer was there, only the mother and the daughter were at home. The feeling she got from interacting with the two was that they were carefree and contented leading their simple lifestyles.
Children exist in carefree surroundings...
A polite girl, she smiled at every camera without fail and said a shy "谢谢" (thank you) for each time she received a packet of candy or snacks...
Ethnic minorities are not limited by the one-child policy, yet each child is the pride and joy of the family...
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