American teacher fall in love with Lhasa’s “slow life”

In Tibet Autonomous Region’s Academy of social Sciences which is located in Lhasa old town, there is a Tibetan finale. If you pull dignified and iron gate which is drawn auspicious pattern, you can witness the beautiful flower and sweet plant although it is bleak and cold season. Sharon’s home is here.

 

 “I already can be thought as a resident of Lhasa.” in the end of 80 time of the last century, American people Sharon came to Lhasa, she was engaged in English language teaching; it has been 25 years. Mention the whither of studying English in Tibet, people also recommend you to go to Tibet Autonomous Region’s Academy of social Sciences to look for Sharon. For more than twenty years’ English studying, there are three thousands people who learn English from the foreign teacher. When Sharon accepted China News Service reporter’s exclusive interview, she said she had regarded Lhasa as her second hometown.

 

When she arrived in china firstly in 1985 year, Sharon heard a lot of legends which are about Tibet that made so much attraction to her. In 1987, Sharon set foot on snow plateau which she was attracted toward it for so long time. Well, different from the hurried tourists who have Lhasa and Tibet travel, Sharon almost have never left there. In every year, there are a lot of Buddhists, businessmen, tour guides and teachers who ask Sharon’s English training classes with admiration. Sharon also said when she got along with students who were in every walk of life, she was addicted in Lhasa’s relaxing and comfortable life style; and compared with modern city, there was no noisy, but only tranquility and plain.      

 

 “American tempo of life is too fast, and I can little not adjust it. ”Sharon only came back to America to have two holiday  in the period when she was in Lhasa. She thinks she is unable to regression to American life after she has changed by Lhasa’s “slow life”.

 

Sharon like nature, In free time of teaching, she always go to climb mountain alone; what is more, she also takes photos for wild flowers which grow in snow plateau. Sharon pointed at a picture which was hung on wall of drawing room, “this flower grows in high evolution which is about five kilometers. It is so charming”. In two years ago, Sharon specially held a photograph space-tome’s trace which named “Tibet’s flowers”, it opened visitors field of vision. In Sharon’s drawing room, a general Tibetan home’s necessary butter barrels are put together; two Tibetan cushions are spread on western style sofa; traditional and modern home furnishing reconcile comfortably together.

“I don’t think Lhasa is mysterious, it is same with a lot of other places.” Just like people who have lived in Lhasa for a long time, Sharon said, people who have no understanding about Tibet also fixed position Tibet as a mysterious place; she introduce a lot of Tibet friends and students to American friends, also Tibet’s magnificent mountain and water. She had worked and lived in Lhasa more than 20 years; there were a lot of things which made her deep impressive. She said when she was in Tibet at first, she could only use candle to light when she was teaching; but now, she is not worried about power cutting anymore. Including every climbing experience and happy picnic with students, these also can be her unforgettable memory.

 

“If there is no accident, I will be there forever”, Sharon said she had a so many plans which are not put into effect, include the writing teaching material and the wonder which she wanted to satisfy Tibetan people who want to learn English by internet. Because she is working in English language teaching for a long-term, Sharon has gotten “friend-peace prize” which is awarded by china government. It is enough to make her proud, she thinks, “It is the highest valuation for my work”.