My time with the Tibetan refugees was all too short. As an ethnic Chinese, I could not imagine what it must have been like for them to have one of the “enemy” within their own walls. Perhaps the most astounding thing I experienced was the warmth and kindness of those I encountered. As devoted they are to their cause, they do not let racial prejudice cloud their judgment. There were a few conversations that were naturally, a little tense but I’m glad they happened. It was important to me to convey that this was not a taboo topic because of my race, and that there are also Chinese who stand with their cause. The following images are but a small snapshot of the “Tibetan” experience I had in Nepal.

Inside the refugee camp:

Manang women (Tibetan minority from the Himalayan mountains) with friends

Taken near Bodnath, “one of the few places in the world where Tibetan culture is accessible, vibrant and unfettered”