When Yeshi’s mother was ill earlier in the year it was tough to be so far away. The doors to Tibet do not open easily and we waited a long time for visas to come through. In the meantime, Yeshi and his brother Nyima worried a lot, but it was clear from their daily video calls home that there were always plenty of people on hand to take care of her. Their mum (pictured far right) was surrounded by relatives preparing all the best food and keeping her as comfortable as possible. People from the village also dropped in every day with offers of help, or to bring something nutritious to the table.
Last week Yeshi spent all of Thursday in A&E. It’s the first time that he’s had to access emergency services since he arrived in the UK, and while he waited for tests to be carried out and results to come through he spent long hours watching how ill health plays out over here. Soon enough he lost count of the number of elderly people who came through the hospital doors by themselves. Many of them lay on trolleys in corridors for long stretches of time. They were not eating and nobody was standing by to mop their brows.
The difference between these two experiences is so stark. On the one hand, Yeshi’s mum – a long way from the nearest hospital – never managed to get a diagnosis, but with loving care at home she survived. On the other, Yeshi was able to quickly access a barrage of medical services, but he, like many others, sat alone on a plastic chair without food for many hours. What are the chances of survival, whatever the diagnosis, when ultimately life looks like this?
The experience of A&E has stayed with Yeshi over the days since his visit. He’s begun to feel better (antibiotics are doing their job for now), but is left with a lingering sense of unease. When the chips are down, is it normal for people to be so alone? What ever happened to neighbourliness, to community?
Happy to say that I spent the weekend he was unable to work filling shifts at the restaurant and witnessing first-hand that community is alive and well here in east Oxford. The doors to our place were shut for many months during festival season, but our people are back and there’s a huge amount of good will around. Thank you everyone. May Yeshi himself enjoy you all when he returns to the restaurant this Wednesday.
Our opening hours this week are as follows:
Wednesday – Friday: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday and Sunday: 12-3 (lunch) / 5-9.30pm (dinner)
This week’s menu is up on the website and sees a return of Tibetan Sesame Chicken – you guys depleted all freezer stocks last week. Come for take away, dine in or you can order home delivery through Deliveroo. The freezers are looking much fuller this week – swing by for both momos and curry. Our veggie stocks are looking particularly good!
Looking forward to seeing you all,
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Wednesday – Friday: 5-9.30pm
Sat / Sun: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
☏ 01865 499318
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