I felt at home away from home in Zimbabwe: Tashi Yangchen

New Delhi, India, 26 February 2005

Miss China and Tashi Yangchen going out for a safari tour
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I was quite excited to take part in Miss Tourism world pageant as it was an international pageant and many girls from all corners of the globe would come to participate in the pageant. It would give me an opportunity to make friends with them and learn about their cultures.

For me participating in the Miss Tourism World pageant meant an opportunity to promote peace, harmony and tourism among all.

We were greeted in a traditional Zimbabwean way at the airport. We all felt honoured to be welcomed in this way. We checked in a comfortable 5 star hotel called Crowne Plaza in Harare. We were taken to excursions and on safaris at various places. Wherever we went we were led by pilots. All these experiences were simply thrilling for me and all the girls.

Miss Philippines, Tashi Yangchen and Miss Thailand
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In four days of my stay in Zimbabwe (from 13 to 16 February) I made friends with most of the contestants. Thailand, Philippines, China, Ireland, Taiwan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana and USA are some of the girls I particularly became close with. I was feeling good about the whole outcome as through this pageant I had made friends with so many girls from around the world.

The day when we were supposed to leave for Victoria Falls and leave Crowne Plaza, all the girls assembled with their luggage near the reception waiting for the bus at 7.30 a.m. I was called aside by the President of the pageant, Mr John Singh, and he told me that the Chinese were pressuring him to take Miss Tibet out of the pageant.

Tashi Yangchen with some of the contestants
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I was shocked at that moment, but I acted cool and I told him I have not come here to create political propaganda. I was a part of the pageant to promote friendship, tourism and peace everywhere.

I felt bad that I couldn't even meet my friends for the last time as the bus had left, but I was simply amazed by the warm hospitality and kindness of the Zimbabweans.

I felt at home away from home due to the kind and loving nature of the locals. I realised through this trip that Zimbabwe is a place surrounded by great landscapes and natural beauties — but I didn't get to see Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world!

Tashi Yangchen playing with a lion cub during a safari
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In all, I feel that my trip to Zimbabwe, even though it was for a short while, was complete and satisfying as I didn't lose anything but earned a lot — that is, friendship — and learned what Zimbabwe is all about.

I am happy about my trip.

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I felt at home away from home in Zimbabwe: Tashi Yangchen