As an old trader along the Ancient Tea Horse Road once remarked to our team as we traveled through his village, “You all are lucky because you can read, you can write, and can tell a story that many will hear. I cannot read or write…I can only speak if there is somebody listening”.
Dandee Pinchu (tea trader, brigand, bodyguard, muleteer extraordinaire)
In his case, his words rest here in this text so his audience has multiplied and many have heard his voice and of his tales.
Heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the courageous Livros de Bordo who relentlessly ploughed on with publishing my Ancient Tea Horse Road into Portuguese and extended this great mountain route’s history to a wider audience. Language is kept accurate and the thoughts and subtle wisdom of a last generation of muleteers and traders is wonderfully intact.
About JeffFuchs
Having lived for a decade in Yunnan, Fuchs’ work has centred on indigenous mountain cultures, oral histories along with an obsessive interest in tea.
Fuchs is the author of 'The Ancient Tea Horse Road' (Viking-Penguin) and he was the subject of 'The Tea Explorer' documentary based on his exploration of the Tea Horse Road.
His photos and stories have appeared on three continents in publications such as Kyoto Journal, TRVL, and Outpost Magazine, as well as The Spanish Expedition Society, The Earth, Silkroad Foundation, The China Post Newspaper, The Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post, and UNESCO amongst others. Various pieces of his work are part of private collections in Europe, North America, and Asia. Fuchs served as Asian Editor at Large for five years at award-winning Outpost magazine.
Jeff has worked with schools and universities, giving talks on both the importance of oral traditions, tea and mountain cultures.
His recently released book ‘The Ancient Tea Horse Road’ (Penguin-Viking Publishers) details his 8-month groundbreaking journey traveling and chronicling one of the world’s great trade routes, The Tea Horse Road. Fuchs is the first westerner to have completed the entire route stretching almost six thousand kilometers through the Himalayas a dozen cultures.
Fuchs partnered with Wild China to create a journey along the Tea Horse Road which National Geographic Traveler called one of the "50 Trips of a Lifetime".
He is co-founder of Akahiao Nature Institute on the island of Hawai'i along with his wife, Julie Rogers.
Dear Jeff,
congratulations on your book in Portuguese.
I was wondering if you are considering the option of translating it in Spanish and / or Italian.
I am not a professional translator but fluent in English and bilingual in Italian and Spanish and very passionate about the subject.
Anna
Thanks Anna and yes considering getting the book translated into Spanish.
Will follow up with you via email in the coming weeks.
thanks for the note,
Jeff
I wish I could listen to many tales of Dandee, I really do. Congrats to your book in Portuguese!
Thanks Orachat for the wishes. Yes, Dandee’s tales would take up many a day and night. Tales that should be told.
Jeff
Dear Jeff
Just started to read your pages in portuguese version.
I brought from Portugal to Luanda on my last home visit.
It was a good surprise to find this book cuase I’m dreaming abt a travel to Tibet for some years now.
Ancient road with tea and stories… I cant wait to get inside the book…
Thanks for sharing your way with us.
Um abraço
liana
Hope that the book is enjoyed with some sips of tea Liana.
Pleasure to share.
Jeff