It’s half term, but there will be no slacking in the Taste Tibet home. For Yeshi, holiday time presents a rare opportunity to teach the children all the things that formal school does not.
Growing up in rural Tibet, there were no educational establishments in or near Yeshi’s village. He was far enough away from any institution that attending school would have meant a boarding situation that he didn’t fancy. So he deliberately fell off the radar and headed up into the mountains instead.
He had a different education up here, something akin to the western idea of forest school, but of course less contrived. Living outdoors for all the months of the year that nature would allow, he learned to construct, build and mend in supervised but very hands-on ways. His father and uncles taught him how to feed himself and their herd. He learned to co-exist with bears and wolves, and – crucially – what to do if they got too close (beginner’s tip: don’t run!).
Our children are learning all the things right now – one of them even studies Latin. But all Yeshi can see is the gaps. Sure they can talk at length about how alloys are different from pure metals, but ask them to get the frying pan out of the drawer and they don’t appear to be able to see what’s right in front of their eyes. “Where it is, Pala? I can’t find it!”
Trips to Tibet (pictured) provide plenty of scope for deschooling or unschooling. And then there are festivals. There are many reasons we bring our kids to work with us during the summertime, but here’s the best one: it turns out to be a great opportunity for them to learn real-life skills in a sometimes high-pressure environment, and there’s no doubt that this has given them confidence out in the world.
In term time, when there’s a timetable to keep on top of, the kids are all mine, but come the holidays and it’s over to Pala for the schooling he rates more highly. During short breaks, Yeshi takes the time to cook with the children, to pick apples, to build things with them, to let them loose with their own tools and time. This is one of those weeks. The restaurant will be open and Yeshi will be close at hand, but mostly he’ll be making sure the kids are learning the stuff of life.
Here are our opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Saturday: 12-3 / 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3 / 5-9pm
This week’s menu is up on the website – check it. Drop by for dine in, take away or a wide range of freezer food.
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Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds – Fri: 5-9.30pm
Saturday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
Sunday: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9pm
☏ 01865 499318
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