When Yeshi and I first met he told me he was 32. The next day he said he was 28.
I had him down as a bit of a joker, but as things turned out he genuinely didn’t know how old he was.
Later, this was confirmed at our Notice of Marriage appointment. When you register your marriage in the UK the registrar takes you in for basic questioning some weeks ahead of the actual ceremony.
She meets you separately. Yeshi’s interview took place first. When it was my turn, she ushered me in, gasping “he doesn’t know his date of birth!” (She also told me that he’d said we were related, but that’s a lost-in-translation tale for another day).
When Yeshi was born in the late 1970s, Tibet was recovering from severe political upheaval. Births and deaths were not systematically recorded. But there are further, deep- rooted cultural reasons that birthdays tend to slip from memory.
Traditional Tibetan society was collectivistic rather than individualistic. The village is stronger than that of the family unit. Villagers work together and support one another. There’s no real distinction between your family and mine: members of the same household do not even have a shared surname. In a cold and harsh climate, community ties can make the difference between life and death.
So when Yeshi was little, birthdays were celebrated by everyone in the village at the same time. Everybody just turned a year older each Losar (Tibetan New Year).
This Wednesday, Taste Tibet reopens after a summer of festivals. Wednesday also happens to our 15th wedding anniversary.
Yeshi won’t remember. Dates of any kind – whether plucked from air for the sake of formality, or real and documented like our wedding – just don’t stick.
So I’m invoking the village. Let’s celebrate together. Community is best.
Come and see us for dine in or take away from 5pm this Weds. We’re still finding our feet after the summer, so please note that the Taste Tibet working week is currently running just Wednesday to Saturday. Here are our opening hours in full:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday: 12-3 / 5-9.30pm
Our menu is up on the website – check it. Come by for dine in or take away or to restock your freezer. You’ll be delighted to hear that we have good stocks of most dishes, so clear some space! A few jars of sepen chilli oil too – come grab.
Newsletter subscribers always enjoy deals and offers on food at our restaurant. This week we’re running a sale on some of your favourite dishes from our freezers. Click here so sign up.
Looking forward to seeing you soon for momos in this last blast of sunshine,
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm
Saturday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
☏ 01865 499318
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