Jensa

Sorting the chaff from the grain.

Prayer flags on the top of the pass (3200m)

Artwork within a monastery we visited

Solar water heating for a hot cup of tea!

A rest stop with two Tibetan ladies after walking down from the Mt in the background.

Donkey! Used to carry the wheat after it's cut

We have been in Jensa for a week now. It's a town of about 10,000 people (alt. 1900m) in a valley in Qinghai Province, NW China. The landscape and atmosphere is totally different from Central/Eastern China. It's dry, brown and semi-arid, with heavily eroded hillsides surrounding the town up to 3500m. Most houses are constructed from mud-brick (adobe) with flat earthen roofs. The walls are very thick to stay cool in summer (it's about 25 degrees today) and for warmth in winter (down to about 15 below). Most houses have walled courtyards for security and to shelter the gardens from the dry wind. There are 3 people groups here - Tibetan, Muslim and Han Chinese. The Tibetans are farmers - growing wheat, fruit and grazing stock. They've been here forever and have the mutton/bread restaurants. Of course they are Buddhists, and there are many monks about town.

The Muslim people are from Central Asia, and came to Qinghai along the Silk Route. Traditionally they have metal-working skills, although in the last 100 years they have taken up horticulture here, with much success. They have similar restaurants to the Tibetans, without the pork!

The Han Chinese are more recent arrivals, having increased in number since the 1950's. They are also very hard workers, and operate many of the shops in Jensa. We enjoy their restaurants the most, as they are big on tasty vegetables!
The Central government is funding much development in Jensa County, and new buildings, bridges and a giant highway are all underway. We have been watching a group of bricklayers and construction workers put up a building outside our apartment. They usually do 12-14 hour days, and every day it takes shape. We think it's the office/entrance building for a new hotel next door, but time will tell.

The family we are visiting here have set Katie and I up in a third floor apartment, at the grand cost of 200 yuan/month (about NZD$40). We have a gas ring and tiny oven, but no fridge or shower. We are eating in half the time, as the fresh produce is so cheap. Unlike the rest of China, flour is readily available, so we have been enjoying banana pancakes or pikelets for breakfast. But eating out is cheap too e.g.

Shaved noodles w egg, tomato and mutton - 6 Yuan (NZD$1.20)
Broccoli, chinese cabbage and a spicy chicken meal for 2 - 26 Yuan (NZD$5.20)
650ml bottles of lager are 2 yuan (NZD$0.40)!!!
We'll write more about the family we're visiting and what we've been up to soon, as well as posting some pics.