Blogs from Bhutan, Asia - page 8
April 15th 2008
Bhutan has now transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy… at least in theory and by all intents and purposes. However… Since ascending the throne in 1972 the 4th King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has moved Bhutan ever closer to open elections and a full implementation of democracy with a constitution. Though the institution of the King still holds the position of head of state under the new system and he can veto laws instituted by the parliament, he is expected to honor the mandates of parliament and only nix anything that endangers the integrity of the state. However, the parliament also has the ability to dethrone the King with a 60 percent majority. The king wanted to set up democracy in Bhutan because - like Nepal - he was not ... read more
March 30th 2008
In my off time, I’ve continued to participate in a meditation group called Deer Park, which has led to most of my social activities. I’ve been on three hikes in the Thimphu valley. Twice to Cheri Goempa and once to Pajoding. Also, during my last weekend in Bhutan I took a trip to Taksang (the Tiger’s Nest), attended the Paro Tsechu, and met with HM Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Cheri is the place where the first Shabdrung established the first Kagyu monk body. It’s on the steep side of a hill at the north end of the Thimphu valley. Pajoding is a lakhang at the top of a ridge high above Thimphu. It was quite a hike - note that Thimphu is above 7000 feet and Pajoding, a ways above that. The first time I went ... read more
March 17th 2008
OK OK, it’s about time that I wrote an entry. I haven’t written in quite some time, so I should have quite a bit of ground to cover. This will be the first of a couple of entries. Also, I might post a recent radio interview. I think I left off some time ago with some ramblings about Tarayana school clubs, the Doya in Lotukuchu, and something incoherent about the happiness in Gross National Happiness. I haven’t traveled much outside of the Thimphu valley except for a trip to a village called Rukha in the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Other than that I’ve been pretty local here in Thimphu, enjoying the blissful mundanity of living in Bhutan. The trip to Rukha was quite inspiring. On the way there we stopped at a high pass called ... read more
March 6th 2008
Kora means circular journey which is what they call it when guests go to each of the lodges. As a new employee and his wife, Shane and I also got to visit each lodge. There are five open now. We were to have a guide and driver who we met at the Thimphu lodge. Our guide was named Tsencho and our driver named Tomgay. They were both very nice. They had worked together in the past so they had a teasing relationship. Tomgay didn’t speak English very well but we were still able to communicate somehow. Our first day we went all the way to Bumthang. It took about 8-9 hours to go about 150 miles on a super curvy and bumpy road. Tsencho pointed things out along the way. We ate lunch on a grassy ... read more
January 11th 2008
You may or may not have been wondering what I’ve been up to lately. Am I settling into my routine in Bhutan? What kind of magical things are happening in the Land of the Peaceful Dragon? At the end of 2007 I was at the Tarayana Winter workshop in Samtse. The workshop was a training for the Tarayana school clubs from every region of Bhutan. Each participating school sent one teacher and one student. It was an opportunity for Tarayana to get feedback from the clubs on perceptions and implementation of Tarayana projects. It was also an opportunity for the Tarayana Secretariat to clarify the organization’s philosophy and mission. The workshop was designed to teach leadership skills and implement a service project. The leadership skills included Leadership: Decision making assistance, Communication: Mediation and conflict resolution, Effective ... read more
January 11th 2008
After Nepal, Bhutan was a real breath of fresh air much needed. From the first minute after I have left Tribhuvan Intl Airport I knew that I wont regret my hasty decision. The Flight rewarded me with beautiful views of the Himalayan range, the peaks Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchendzonga stood in the sunshine while we flew over Sikkim and Darjeeling. If I tell you that Bhutan is different, you will say, oh yeah you've said that in every single country you have visited so far... and you are right, But this time it is something really special tho. Even the airport is different. Just as every building I have seen in the Kingdom the airport too has been built bhutanese style whitewashed with beautifully painted wooden windows and ornaments . Upon arrival Airport employees ... read more
December 23rd 2007
Since I’m sick with a sore throat, I’m going to use this break in the action to give a little update. I’m currently not in Thimphu. I was there a little over a week, and I am now in Samtse in the southwest of Bhutan, right on the border of the Indian tea area of West Bengal. Where as Thimphu was cold and dry at night and pleasant during the day, the lower elevation of Samtse is pleasant during night and day. Thimphu is beautifully located in a mountainous valley that could be lifted right out of the Methow or the east side of the Sierra Nevada in California. The city kind of haphazardly sprawls mostly on the hills above the west side of a river called the Wang Chhu. Even though it’s the capital, it ... read more
November 25th 2007
Dochu La: After a dinner at our house with friends Chodra and Yangchan, the offer was extended to drive us to Dochu La the next day. Dochu La took about one hour to get to. It is an area with 108 chortens, white stone monuments, surrounded by prayer flags. They were built recently, 2005, as atonement for the loss of life during the flushing out of Assamese militants in S. Bhutan. 108 is also the number of beads on the Bhutanese rosary. Dochu La was beautiful. It lies at the top of a mountain in between Thimphu and Punakha. There is a good view of Punakha and the surrounding mountains and valleys. On the way back from Dochu La we stopped at Yangchan’s aunts house in a tiny village along the way. Yangchan is from Tibet ... read more
November 25th 2007
Paro: Christian who is the chef of all the Amankora lodges took a trip to check out Gangte and Bumthang so Shane and I headed to Paro to make sure all was okay with the food here. It’s nice to get out of Thimphu for a little while. Paro is smaller and the lodge is set about a half hour outside of the Paro town. Paro is located in a valley and is surrounded by gorgeous snow-covered mountains. We stayed at either the lodge or Christian’s house. The lodge rooms are very nice and have HUGE beds, an awesome bathtub and tons of space. I will be fed with lodge food while I am here because there is no cooking equipment at Christian’s. There are a few more expats here in Paro who have been nice ... read more
October 31st 2007
I walk around a lot since at the moment I do not have a job. Thimphu is a giant hill so I’m beginning to feel like I’m getting in shape. Everywhere I go, I am stared at as though I’m this main attraction. As many of you know, I usually prefer to blend in so this has been an adjustment for me. The young and old usually say something to me as we pass. “Hello ma’am” “Where are you going?” “How are you?” I answer and ask them a question which they sometimes don’t understand. Many times I get giggles as the groups of kids head home from school. I have really enjoyed the kids when I have gone to a park near my home. I usually start out sitting there or reading in my ... read more
