Hello everybody!
My name is Chris Healy, I’m class of 2009, and I’m going to be spending the summer in what the Lonely Planet guidebook describes as “the most far-flung corner of the most far-flung province in China”, that is, depending on your political persuasion, either Yushu, Qinghai Province, People’s Republic of China, or Jyekundo, Tibet. Jyekundo/Yushu is a staggering 22 hour bus ride from the nearest large city, the provincial capital of Xining, and sits at an altitude of just under 14,500 feet.
I’ll be spending 8 weeks teaching English to Tibetan children and researching the effects of the language gap between Tibetan speakers and Chinese speakers on the local economy and culture. The literacy rate in Yushu county is a pitifully low 13%, and most people in Jyekundo live far below the poverty line.
I am descending into this summer from a unique vantage point — having spent the last 4 1/2 months in Beijing studying Mandarin Chinese and living with Chinese students, I will hopefully be able to shed some light on the current state of China from both a rural and an urban perspective. I hope you enjoy!
June 10th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Hello Chris,
My ‘far flung’ Grandson…we all await news. I’m trying to envision your life at nose-bleed altitudes. From what your Mom shared, you have an unbelievable student load…and must go to the well for water. How little we know of life in the provinces.
I’m listening to a wonderful quartet called the Kings, they sing Irish songs accompanied by pipe, drums fiddle, etc. The audience knows many of the lyrics…and everyone sings…what a joyous event. Talking about music, are you picking up any of the local folk music/dance?
Miss you….lots of love….GMO