Well, this adventure is now officially 1/2 over. There were times when I was ready to throw in the towel, but amazingly enough, I am still here. The thing that has helped me make a mental shift into a better space was the fact that I finally got a 2 week vacation from my 5 1/2 and sometimes 5 3/4 work days. So let me tell you about my vacation.
One of the many frustrating issues here is the lack of time to travel. People that tend to embark on adventures like this are basically travelers and love to explore. So, being confined for such a long time was torture. But I finally made it to the "summer vacation." I had planned to meet another teacher friend in Bumthang but she ended up coming to Thimphu because she had a ride. She arrived on Saturday and we spent the next three days catching up and seeing Thimphu. On Tuesday, we boarded a coaster bus and traveled 10 hours to Bumthang, a lovely wide valley with many historically significant and religious sights to see. We stayed at the River Lodge, which is owned by a former teacher and principal who had studied in Canada many years ago. He was the most gracious host. He made sure that we had transportation wherever we wanted to go and that we were not lacking anything.
One day, we went to KurJey Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakhang and another Lhakhang that Pema Lingpa built. (If you don't know, Pema Lingpa lived in the 1500s and was a reincarnate of Guru Rimpoche). Kurje or Kurjey is a large monastic complex that houses a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. It is said that his meditation abilities were so strong that he often left his shadow on walls after he had left. So, Kur means print and Je means body, thus the name of this Lhakhang. I didn't really see the body print, but I am told it is there. Jambey Lhakhang is one of the oldest in all of Bhutan. In Tamshing, the one that Pema Lingpa built, there are paintings that are attributed to him as well as an iron cape thing that it is said he made in a short amount of time. If you are able to put on the iron cape and walk around the inside of the Lhakhang three times, some of your sins will disappear. Needless to say I could barely pick it up!!!
The next day we traveled to the Tang Valley. It is said to be one of the most beautiful in all of Bhutan and I believe it. It really does look just like Zermat. The terraced fields in different shades of green dotted with farm houses was very picturesque. I saw many people harvesting wheat. They hold two sticks in their hands and place the sticks below the tops of the shafts. Then they squeeze the sticks together and yank up the tops which proceed to break off. The people then place the tops in the baskets on their backs. Automation has not yet reached central, or any other part of Bhutan.
We wrapped up the trip with a puja at the lodge. 35 monks appeared on the last day to read the 28 books of Buddha's writing on wisdom. It was quite interesting being in the dining hall when they all silently entered, formed a line to get their food, sat down, prayed, eat in silence, finished at the same time and then left. I think I had my mouth hanging open the whole time.
After returning from Bumthang, I was lucky enough to attend a four day workshop on Special Ed. What a treat! (You all know how much I love events like this!) This was such an eye-opening experience. I learned that Bhutan is just getting their sp ed program off the ground. They have 7 or 8 pilot schools, with some of the schools specializing in specific disorders. To see where the country has come, and knowing where they are headed, and being able to give a little input, was just amazing. I hope they continue down the collaborative path they have chosen. It is what will be best for the students.
So that is what I have been up to. Sorry no pictures because I am not very technologically inclined. I will post again soon.
