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9/16/10

Four months have passed since my pilgrimage to Bhutan, and with each one, I slip further away from the inner source that I discovered in the company of Buddhist monks, my sangha, and hundreds of ancient Buddhas.  The silver threads of connection worn down by life in the real world; the center under seige by self-doubt and distraction.  I do not like this slipping.

And so I return to my journal.  Or should I say, my journal returns to me.  I nearly forgot I had carried it with me those two weeks.  Thank goodness I did.

***

September 16, 2010            

Bhutan!

Arise at 3:30am, feeling fully rested and excited. Board bus to airport, check-in at ticket-counter, realize I've left my iPhone at the hotel in downtown Bangkok.  Call hotel, recover phone (which they will keep until my return), eat breakfast, and board the plane--DrukAir, the only airline in the country.  Ascending into the sky, we fly under a rainbow.  An auspicious sign for an auspicious journey.

We see Mt. Everest from the air.  A giant alone among the clouds.

And then, Bhutan.  To see shadows beyond clouds and realize they are mountains.  Rolling majesties of mountains.  Covered in forest, deep green cut by deep valleys.

Landed at small airport. Immediately overcome with sense of profound calm and happy energy.  I am not making this up.

Bhutan is made up of 20 provinces.  The airport was established in 1993.  Democracy established in 2008 after 100 years of monarchy.  A new King was crowned in 2008.  He reigns alongside his father, the former King.  They are called K4 and K5.  Television arrived in Bhutan just 11 years ago, in 1999.  Mobile service arrived the year after.  India provides major support to the government.

We are in Eastern Himalaya--to the north, bordered by "the" China, all other borders shared with "the" India. Natives call this country "Druk Yun," which means Land of the Thunder Dragon.  Bhutan is the western name.

From the airport, drive on the road to Thimpu, the capital, along the river Panhu.

***

Basic Dzongkha (native language, phonetic spelling):
Greetings and well wishes--Kuzuzangpola
Goodbye--Log Jay Gay
Thank you--Ga Din Jay
Tasty--Zhim Bay
No more, thanks--Me Zhu
I like to eat spicy--Na ema sane

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