MY DAYS IN BHUTAN: THIMPHU

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ON THE WAY TO THIMPHU:

On the way from Paro to Thimphu we visited a small private monastery across the river, TAMCHHOG LHAKHANG.

The suspended iron chain narrow bridge, from where colorful prayer flags were hung, was both picturesque and frightening to cross. It was built by a Tibetan saint, composer and engineer who built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan. A 100-year old tamarind tree and vertical white prayer flags completed the enchanting landscape. But what made the visit at this monastery quite special was to find a group of village Bhutanese seating on the yard outside the chapel and kids playfully around the yard, some playing soccer.



THIMPHU, the capital of Bhutan:

Nothing really special about the capital that doesn't have a single traffic light.

The 4th king is responsible for many changes which happened during the past few years. In 1974 he cautiously opened the country to tourists, in 1983 opened the airport, 1999 introduced TV and internet, 2005 announced his abdication and planned for his son to be his successor and drafted the 1st constitution, and in 2008 the first ever election and coronation of the 5th king.

Last year, the new king married a very pretty 22 year old. The new royal couple seemed to be like and pictures of them are displayed literally everywhere.



WEEKEND MARKET:

We headed to the market as soon as we arrived. Tons of dried salty fish from India being sold. I asked my guide why all fish was from India, and his answer didn’t make sense: “We Bhutanese shouldn’t kill animals”. I say: “You cannot kill them but you can eat them once killed by others?” His reply: “Yes, that’s right”. That is a principle which doesn’t make sense at all.



The top area had organic local food, like delicious forest fern had lots of chili, vegetable Bhutanese eat everything with, and also eat it alone, from breakfast to dinner. Different varieties of rice, including the red one, and incents were found. The crowd, however, was shopping downstairs where Indian food was sold!!!



ZILUKHA NUNNERY

As we walked up to the small nunnery I could hear beautiful changing. Since it was an auspicious day for Buddhists, the nuns were reciting mantras in the temple, each holding a small bell on one hand and a thunder bolt on the other. From time to time they performed these gentle and beautiful synchronized movements, each with a certain meaning. This was an especially beautiful moment, and I was the only one there witnessing it



TRADITIONAL MEDICINE HOSPITAL

The following day I visited the traditional medicine hospital, where I was only allowed to see the small museum of herbs and plants used as medicine. A little disappointing to me, comparing to the 2 hours I spent with a doctor in Tibet, who explained to me how Buddhism and health are interrelated.



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