Welcome!

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for checking out my blog.

This way, if you're interested, you can read about what I'm up to and hopefully see some pictures from my trip, all as it unfolds.

As you all may or may not know, I am travelling to Xining city (pop. 770,000) in the Qinqhai province of China to spend 4 weeks learning about traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) with a group of medical students from the US and Canada. From the limited information I currently have, I am told that we will be spending our days hearing lectures, observing in clinic, going on field trips, and learning Chinese! While the region I am visiting is not in actual Tibet, the region is very much culturally Tibetan (formerly part of Amdo in the Tibetan world).

Some (interesting?) facts (thanks wikipedia!):

-The current Dalai Lama was born in Qinghai and the region is home to many Tibetans

-The average elevation is 3000m above sea-level

-One of the largest and 3rd poorest of China's provinces

-The Kumbum Monastery outside Xining is home to the Hall of Yak Butter Sculptures!

To look at a map, click here: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=xining&ie=UTF8&ll=34.089061,100.283203&spn=31.653811,52.822266&z=4&iwloc=addr

I have a cell phone already set up, so if you'd like to get in touch with me, you can apparently call: 00 86 136 0162 6780 (I don't know how much this will cost...)

Or you can always email me at: tyler.chernin@gmail.com

Looking forward to your responses!

Love,

Tyler