I met Du Ching, a 24-year old Kham Tibetan, during a journey through the Tibet Autonomous Region in 2005. She was the keeper of a small travelers lodge she helped her family maintain in the town of Dandong. Her father worked with steer and I remember distinctly the 10-inch American-made bowie knife he had holstered on his belt. Du Ching had a younger brother aged 5 and she wanted me to take their picture together. I felt a bit foolish when I asked her if she had internet access. I offered to send her prints.

Dandong and the surrounding area was affected by a 7.9 earthquake that occurred near Chengdu May 12, 2008.