Today was a drive along very twisty, narrow dirt roads, perched on the edge of thousand foot cliffs. For someone freaked out by heights, this drive is probably not for them! Fortunately our experienced drivers did an excellent job of navigating the sketchy terrain.
We stopped by some small towns and passes along the way, marveled at the landscape, and participated in the traditional rituals.
We arrived in Yanjing - the first town we were to stay in officially in the Tibet Autonomous Region!! We first filled up on jaja noodles, which literally means “add add”. For a few Yuan, the server puts a small amount of yummy, hot fresh noodles into your bowl. As soon as you finish them, she immediately runs over and fills it with another batch. Our guides said you’re supposed to eat 40 bowls! After about 15 bowls, I tried to make them stop, but the woman kept on refilling and refilling the bowl. Our driver even stuck out his hand, and the server went underneath to fill the bowl!
One interesting thing about Yanjing, is that they have the one and only Catholic Church in Tibet. It was started by French missionaries in the late 1800’s, and much of Yanjing still practice.
Another interesting thing about Yanjing is their source of income - salt production. There are a few wells near the river, fed by a hotspring. For centuries, people in the village have built small ponds on the cliffside out of wood and clay, and they pour the well water into these ponds. The clay filters out the water and by products - and they’re left with salt!
We asked a woman working there how long the village has been using that particular well - she laughed, and said “Well, about 800 - 1000 years” (!)
One positive aspect of the Chinese invasion in 1950 may be education. Even in this small village, all of the children are sent to school, and educated in Mandarin and Tibetan (although unfortunately to a lesser degree). These kids were hitching a ride from their village up the hill, so we gave them a ride.
We had dinner in town, where it’s typical for you to go into the kitchen, and pick out the food you want from what’s on display:
Yanjing is a small quiet town, so we rested up and prepared for the next part of our adventure - to Dzogang!
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