THE TIBETAN REFUGEE CAMP in pictures

Next to the monastery there is a Tibetan village. Many Tibetans came here as refugees because of the Chinese presence in their country. They have been here for a number of years and have grown into a village. Some houses are still just barely shanties while others are now in brick. One of the monks from the monastery kindly showed us around. The monks relate to the Tibetan culture.  (The young monk was from the monastery we were working at but showed us around the Tibetan village)

As a history teacher walking through this village (no that's not me in the picture, nor the one below)I could really get a sense of what a medieval village was like, particularly with the sheep and goats wandering through the narrow, twisting streets
   
.

There were many children in the village. Maybe there appeared more because at the times we were visiting the parents were away earning a living in the town or farming.

These are some of the buildings people live in. They seem to be made from whatever material was available at the time. This included corrugated iron, branches, mud brick and hessian.

  
There is a school here. It is not very large. They hold a district soccer tournament here. But the ground is so rough. You can see evidence of volunteers being here years ago with fading murals and slogans on walls.
  
There is also another monastery within the village. It is reasonably large, with a colourful temple inside.

  
This area is where the men and women who stay in the village during the day set up stalls selling crafts to any tourists who happen by. They are very persistent but will haggle and we often got some good bargains here.

This picture was taken in the monastery kitchen. It shows the cook making Tibetan butter tea. Very salty in taste. I much prefer the sweet tea or marsala tea even though they put so much sugar in it.