Losar Tashi Delek

Tashi Delek

Where to start? On Thursday, it was New Years. If fact, on Friday it was New Years also! So, what an auspicious start to this new adventure and New Year to have 2 New Years Days. How lucky. As a group, we celebrated with Nancy, the Executive Director, at her house. She graciously served us many wonderful dishes that she said we would not get once we left. It was a wonderful send-off celebration and a great way to start the New Year with new friends in a new place.

On Friday, we loaded our things up on 2 buses and two Tolyota trucks and headed out. We looked like a pack of Gypsies. On the top of the buses were things like mattresses, suitcases, gas cylinders and the stoves, etc. It was quite a sight as we drove out of Thimphu.

We proceeded up a pass in the mountains and arrived at DochuLa Pass. As we reached the summit, and by the way, here it is difficult to tell when and or where the summit will be, the view was amazing. At DochuLa, there is a temple and a memorial to a one-day military action which drove out some Tibetians a while back. (Apparently the Tibetians relocated themselves in a valley and refused

to leave, and the Fourth King had to take action.) Did I say that the view is absolutely amazing. This view ranks right up there as one of the best I have ever seen.

 

So from there, we traveled down the other side into Wangdue province. We were lucky enough to visit the Punakha Dzong.

 

 

 

The Dzong used to be the capitol of Bhutan until one of the King’s moved it to Thimphu. This Dzong sits at the point of two rivers, and is probably the most photographed Dzongs in all of Bhutan. The large monk body from Thimphu is in residence there for the winter. As we entered the Dzong, their chanting became more and more distinct. Our leader, Karma, took us into the courtyard and explained the festival that will take place in a few days. At the end of the festival, a large three story Thunka will be unrolled which will conver blessings on all those attending. Wish I could be there for that!

Traveling toward the hotel, we managed to squeeze in a hike up to a famous temple; home to Guru somebody who is said to have had divine powers,along with other things. After arriving at the hotel, we were treated to a wonderful dinner and some farwell good wishes. During Nancy’s farewell remarks, the lights started to shake a bit and we got to expereince our first earthquake. Even though it wasn't an actual earthquake, it really was just a tremor, nothing fell or was displaced. In fact, some of the group who were seated at the table, missed the event all together! However, it is good to note that the platetechtonic boundary which creates the Himalayins is still active.

This morning after an early breakfast, we said our goodbyes. The 2 buses were off to Bumthang while I was in a car travelling to Phojikha and other parts to drop off 3 other teachers. The trip to Phojikha was quite an adventure. We climbed up the side of a mountain, and looking down from the crest, saw one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. If there is such a place as Shangri-la, I think I saw it today. On the way down into the valley I glimpsed several yaks grasing on wild bamboo. Once into the valley, I was able to spot a pair of black-necked cranes. The black-neck cranes are a seriously endangered animal. There are approximately 300 or so of them in the world. What makes these birds so incredible, in my option, is the fact that they MIGRATE OVER THE HIMALAYINS! That’s right, each winter they fly from their home in Southern Tibet to the Phojikha Valley in Bhutan. The car was able to stop at the vistor’s observation center where there were 3 powerful telescopes for use. I was able to watch these spectacular birds prune and dance around. It was a sight I will never forget.

Now we are stopped at a road block. The “main” roads here are like one and a half car winding paths that we might find in the Smokey Mountains: you know the ones where it is impossible to go more than 25 mph, with one side straight up and one side straight down! But to look across the valley to the other side is incredible. The mountain sides are dotted with the classic Bhutanese houses and terraced fields. Just breathtaking!

So, for right now, that’s about it. I think that this day has been absolutely spectacular, having seen my first yak AND black neck cranes. How lucky am I to be in such a beautiful place having the experience of a lifetime. And to think, school hasn’t even started yet, and you all know how I enjoy teaching!!!!!!

Trial and Error for Pictures

Two friends in front of the Bhutan Canada Foundation Office.

View from the Swiss Bakery, of all places! You can't really see it, but straight ahead is the "traffic light" as I like to call it. Basically, it is a traffic policeman standing in a circular structure directing traffic.

Sometimes it is the smallest of things that make people happy. Vicky, Lisa, Julian, Shauna and myself went out to purchase pillows. Please note the smiles.

I love to learn, but.....

All of you know that I love to learn new things. However, when it comes to posting photos, well, I must have some issues. Why can't I have voice recognition that would just let me verbalize what I want the computer to do, and then it would do it? Well, maybe next computer. So, until I get a handle on this uploading thing, just grin and bare it and understand that the operating error that is occurring is on this end, not your end!

Living on a Prayer

 

The Best Day Ever!

Today was the best day ever. But before I explain, I feel the need to catch you up.

The weekend was spent in Paro, Bhutan collecting all of the teachers. Two Aussies came in on Thursday, a large group of 7 of us came in on Friday, and the remainders arrived Saturday. So basically the weekend was spent getting to know each other and make convenient trips to nearby Paro. Some hiked to the Tiger's Nest, some visited the National Museum which is housed in the "lookout" above the Paro Dzong, some ventured out shopping, etc. It was a great way to start this adventure. On Sunday afternoon, BCF collected all of us and our belongings and transported us to Thimphu, arriving last night.

This morning, official orientation began. We were instructed on the workings of the government in terms of education. During a break in the action, I had the opportunity to chat with Nancy Strickland, the Executive Director of the Foundation. She was able to shed some more light on my new school.

I knew that I would be teaching children of yak herders, but I was unsure exactly why these children would be attending a school so close to town. Apparently the government has set an objective of 100% of the children to be enrolled in school by 2013. Since yak herders migrate with the seasons, most of the children have never had the chance for an education. If fact, some of these children may never have lived in a permanent dwelling. So, the students I will be teaching will be boarding school students who will live in student hostels. These hostels may very well be the first concrete structure they have ever lived in. What a privilege to be able to impact the lives of these children in such a positive manner. What a responsibility to be a role model/parental replacement for these children and possibly the first contact with a Westerner that they have experienced.


After lunch we had an audience with the Minister of Education. In fact, he invited us to tea!!!!! What an absolute honor. His office is in Thimphu Dzong, you know, the same structure that houses the office of His Majesty, The King.
We received clearance, went through metal detectors and made our way to his office. (We had been instructed how to behave prior to going to the Dzong.) He entered, we stood, he sat, we sat. It was all very formal. His speech to us was basically focused on the culture of Bhutan and without the culture, the country is nothing. He reiterated how lucky the children are to have us at their respective schools and that if there was anything that we needed, we should not be afraid to ask. What an amazing event. It would be like having tea on the spur of the moment with the Secretary of Education in Washington, D.C. WOW! At the end of our visit, he was gracious enough to walk outside and allow numerous photo opps to take place. It has been an amazing day.

So, tomorrow more orienting. So much to learn and so much to think about.

BHUTAN

Dear Friends,
I have arrived! Not in the Western sense of attaining all that capitalism tells us to strive for, but in the physical sense. I'm actually in Bhutan. Where to start, where to start?

The journey was tough, but I knew that would be the case. It went something like this: Chicago to Tokyo (13 hours), layover 4 hours, Tokyo to Bangkok (6 hours) layover 7 hours, Bangkok to Dhaka (Bangladesh) to Paro (3 hours) stop in Dhaka 30 minutes. So needless to say, when I got here I was exhausted.

Trip 1: Chicago to Tokyo: I flew Japan Air Lines. The plane was not too crowded so in the group of three seats, I had the window, the middle was empty and on the aisle was a wonderful 75 year young retired teacher from Kuala Lampor (sp?). Once we got started talking, we spoke of everything from politics to religion to education in our respective countries. She was a wonderful seat companion. She kept apologizing for her English pronunciation, but for the most part, I was able to understand her completely. She and her husband were returning from a 4 month visit to one of her sons and his family who live in Peoria. Another son and his family had flown over from Libya for a visit and they all went to Vegas. She said she had never seen anything quite like Vegas. I told her that most Americans have never seen anything like Vegas either.

Trip 1 layover: Tokyo: A few people from the first flight where laying over to board the next flight to Bangkok. I got to talking with a 20 something Thai student who was studying at University of Illinois at Chicago for his MBA. We discussed specific English issues that he was experiencing. I hope I helped. He was returning home to Bangkok for 4 days to manage some business ventures that his family is involved in. Our discussion shed a great deal of light on Thailand and it's current affairs.

Trip 2: Tokyo to Bangkok: Not much exciting happened on this flight. I sat next to a young man who spoke little English, thus the communication was limited.

Trip 2 layover: Bangkok: This was difficult. By this time I was totally exhausted and was not looking forward to spending 7 hours in the Bangkok airport at night. It, too, was uneventful.

Trip 3 Bhutan: This was, by far, the best part of the trip. While waiting in the ticket line, I struck up a conversation with a Bhutanese man. As it turned out, he works for the Ministry of Communication and provided me with valuable insight into the workings of the Govt as well as the people of the country. I had chosen to fly first class (I know, I know) because the luggage allowance was considerably more. It was in the ticketing line that BCF teachers started appearing and introducing themselves. All of the teachers had booked first class so we were all together to experience the ride of a lifetime.

I have been on many plane rides, but this one into Bhutan was one that I will always remember. Because the terrain is mountainous, only one airline, Druk Air, flies into Paro. Now I know why! As we approached the mountains which popped up out of the clouds as if whipped cream peaks had been placed on a sea of cotton, it became more clear that the approach and landing would be interesting. I was not disappointed. The pilot wove the plane through numerous twists and turns getting lower and lower with each turn. The houses and buildings became more clear the closer we got to the ground. The excitement in first class was overwhelming with teachers commenting on everything they were seeing. To say that the pilot was able to thread the needle would be correct. Touchdown was smooth and being the only plane, we taxied right up to the disembarkment area. The terminal is breathtaking, truly one magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture. Entry into the country was relatively painless since we were led to the "Officials and Diplomats" line! The BCF staff welcoming committee, Karma and Meena, welcomed each of us and helped us collect our belongings and exchange money. It was so nice to finally be here.

Currently I am in the mind frame of going slow and steady to allow for my internal clock to readjust. So, in the mean time, I will be signing off from Paro, Bhutan, having finally arrived.

Going Away

Who knew that leaving would be so very hard? Some of my students made a video as a going away present for me. They created an ABC book which they illustrated. Along with the beautiful book, they made a video of themselves reading the book. At the end of the reading, one by one they wished me well on my journeys. To say I will miss them is clearly the understatement of the year. I hope all my friends at school stay positive and always think about the choices they are making. After all, the choices that we make today clearly impact what happens tomorrow. Students at Horace Mann, keep up the great work. I will miss each and every one of you. As soon as I get to my new school, your video will be one of the first things that I share with the students in Bhutan.

For anyone interested, the video can be found on youtube. Just search for "H is for Horace Mann". Thank you Ms. Ticali!!!