People in Ahwensung
In Ahwensung I did not experience any antipathy towards my camera. Though some people motioned me off, and a couple kids made almost a game out of avoiding the lense, most people seemed to be quite comfortable with my photography. This is just another extension of the wonderful welcoming nature of Tibetans in general. Everywhere I went people were very warm and open towards me, despite my foreignness compounded by a lack of common language. I never felt any of that 'What is she doing here' energy that can often be felt when one stumbles into smaller communities one obviously is not a member of.
Ahwensung has only one commercial street, and the stores are quite small. A normal store occupies less space than my bedroom here in Korea. Smaller stores conserve space by selling their wares out the window.
People commonly think that in poor regions, where living is tough that day to day is nothing but a fight for survival. That is hardly true. Though there are busy times of the day and of the year, there is also ample time for siting around on the street and having a conversation, or making music. Social life in these communities is rich and intertwined, relying not on TV but on each other for entertainment.
The horse remains the main method of transportation, though motorcycles are also popular. There are very few vehicles and most of them, due to the road quality, are jeeps. When someone does take their jeep for any significant drive it is likely that they'll acquire paying passengers as the trip continues.
Ahwensung Ahwensung in B and W Ahwensung Kids Ahwensung Monks China Flowers Ganjia Grasslands Hezuo Karjam Labrang Monastery Linxia Linxia Farms in B and W Linxia Farm Kids Machu Machu People Nomads Near Ahwensung Qingdao Xiahe Xi'an
Andong Mask Dance Festival Tibetan Photos I Tibetan Photos II
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