A Nepalese-Tibetan family enjoys Losar in Lhasa

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

In recent year, more and more inland Chinese and foreign travelers travel to Tibet and settle down at Lhasa. Suris from Nepal and his family have lived in Lhasa for over ten years. This year the Nepalese-Tibetan family enjoyed Losar in Lhasa.

At 7 a.m., the room of the Suris' at a corner of the Bakhor Street of Lhasa was lit up. The eldest son Tenzin Nyima was dressed up in new costume, Mom Migma Yangjen put up some light makeup for her daughter Surmi. And the family of seven took turns to drip the Ksampa (barley flour) into the air for three times in their home temple, murmuring "Tashi Delek"，Happy New Year in Tibetan language. This happened on the first day of the Tibetan New Year,or Losar, known as the Year of Water Snake on the Tibetan calendar.

Dressing up anew and praying for Buddha are how the Suris' family started with their New Year. In the morning, the elder brother of Migma Yangjen came to visit the family with his wife and daughter, who cheered up the 20-square-meter room.

However, this family is quite unique. Suris, dressed in suit and tie is a businessman from Nepal, and his Tibetan wife Migma Yangjen dressed in traditional Tibetan costume is a Tibetan. They have been married for 12 years.

"Lhasa is my home," said Suris with a smile on his face as usual.

Suris moved to Tibet in 2000, doing business in the Bakhor Street like many other Nepalese businessmen, Suris said. He could not speak Tibetan in the beginning. Fortunately, he met Migma Yangjen who can speak English. So they got married later.

Suris opened a small grocery store after setting down in Lhasa, and then rented the shop next door five years ago selling Nepalese Thangka. His home is only upstairs. Besides his wife and three children, there are his mother- and father-in-law in the family, living a happy life.

Suris sometimes goes back to Nepal to visit his parents, and he usually takes advantage of the trip to stock more goods from Nepal.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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