Wild Wild West of Sichuan in China
Lens Magazine|October 2020
Exploring Tibet had always been on my bucket list of travel documentary project. In 2018, I had the opportunity to visit Tibet, and it was the most incredible travel experience.
José Jeuland
Wild Wild West of Sichuan in China

It was an unplanned trip, where I booked a ticket to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan States, and from there, took a 15 hours bus ride to Ganzi (or Garzê) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

I was the only one who did not look like a Tibetan. During the trip, I met a young lady named Qi May Ze Young. Tibetan names are usually composed of 4 words. After hearing my reasons as to why I was traveling to her part of the world, the young Tibetan lady was kind enough to extend a warm invitation for me to stay with her family. I was thrilled at the offer and was looking forward to seeing where this journey would take me. When I reached her home, I received an incredible welcome. It was unbelievable to receive so much kindness and have people who open their doors without any fears to a stranger like me.

Tradition and modernity: Every day was a new experience as her family and the monk took care of me and brought me to various places to experience both the tradition and the modern world of Tibet. There was no water system, toilet, or shower in the house, but after a few days, I found out they had wifi - It was so funny because I was cut from any internet connection in the house and never thought of asking them if they had wifi as the question did not cross my mind. At one point in time, they did not understand why I was not using my phone for translation, and it was then they asked me why I was not using the wifi. It was so funny. During temple celebrations, some Tibetans donated to the monk via touch pay from phone to phone with Wechat. How traditional life incorporate modern element. I stay in touch these days with the family.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LENS MAGAZINEView all
IN THE SHIPYARDS OF DHAKA
Lens Magazine

IN THE SHIPYARDS OF DHAKA

A very large shipyard in Dhaka is located on the Buriganga River's banks, directly across Dhaka's old city.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
Aga Szydlik INDIA
Lens Magazine

Aga Szydlik INDIA

A JOURNEY INTO THE LAND OF DIVERSITY, CULTURE, AND COLORS

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
SEBASTIAN PIÓREK EXPLORING Enjoyable LANDSCAPE
Lens Magazine

SEBASTIAN PIÓREK EXPLORING Enjoyable LANDSCAPE

I retrieved the idea of nature closely linked to the field of human feelings.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
The Extreme Macro Photography of Bees
Lens Magazine

The Extreme Macro Photography of Bees

AN INTERVIEW SAM WITH, DROEGE

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
JEAN KAROTKIN GYMNOPEDIES
Lens Magazine

JEAN KAROTKIN GYMNOPEDIES

Gymnopédies, Karotkin's ongoing series of botanical portraits, takes its name from a trio of piano compositions by 19th-century French composer Erik Satie.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
BUTTERFLIES IN LOVE WITH FLOWERS
Lens Magazine

BUTTERFLIES IN LOVE WITH FLOWERS

I sometimes think Chinese art is not fully appreciated in the West. I was exposed to it growing up in Australia, although my fascination was more with calligraphy.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
Lissa Hahn:
Lens Magazine

Lissa Hahn:

Hahn: HOW TO EVOKE A PAVLOVIAN RESPONSE IN HUMANS

time-read
7 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ELENA PARASKEVA
Lens Magazine

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ELENA PARASKEVA

Elena Paraskeva is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning Conceptual Photographer and Art Director and, most recently, an official ADOBE instructor.

time-read
8 mins  |
February 2023 - The Colorful Issue
From a Living Hell to Heaven on Earth: the Inhumanity and Humanity of Humans
Lens Magazine

From a Living Hell to Heaven on Earth: the Inhumanity and Humanity of Humans

In a remote area of western Wisconsin, dogs and cats who otherwise would have ended up on death row are given a reprieve. They can now live out their lives in peace and comfort and with companionship at Home for Life (HFL), which was not afforded them outside the sanctuary's gates.

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2022 Humanity
The Art of DISAPPEARING
Lens Magazine

The Art of DISAPPEARING

In the classical proposal, indigenous people are usually the topic of discussion, but rarely do they have a hand in shaping it.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2022 Humanity