Prologue If something is steep, it is generally quite uphill or downhill. If something is flat, it is generally not very uphill or downhill. Simple, you’d think. NOT to Bhutanese people. Bizarrely, for a mountainous Kingdom in the Himalayas,, many Bhutanese seem to be under the impression that they are living on a featureless, flat landscape. Let us demonstrate this through the following short re-enactment: Scene 1: A hotel lobby in the Bhutanese town of Mongar. Mel (looking over a map and talking to the hotel owner): "So, we are thinking of cycling from here up to Lhuentse tomorrow. However, in this incredibly mountainous terrain, we are quite concerned it may be very hilly." Hotel owner: "No, not at all Madam. The road follows the river all the way – it is totally flat." Mel: "Really?
... read more
