Confab in Hot Water
Qinghai Province, China 2007
The town was called Hot Water. There were about six garages where long-haul drivers could buy new tires or get radiator repairs while enjoying a bowl of noodles in the local diner. Monks, some wearing cowboy hats, perhaps bored by life at the monastery, came to town to see some action. There wasn’t much to see. The monks seemed like shy boys, in awe of the sunglass-wearing, leather-clad, motorcycle-riding boys who roared up and down the short stretch of the highway.
Tibetan Dandies
These men, dressed in their best interpretation of the latest western fashion, were relaxing in the square in the city of Yushou. They stood out from the other “Yushouians” because they dressed in a citified way. Sports coats, shiny loafers and curled hair…trying to be noticed, wanting to feel special, wanting life to be as exciting and wonderful as in a film. Haven’t we all felt that way?
Note: I refer to these boys as Tibetan because they are Tibetan despite the fact that they live in China.