Day Four & 5 In Nepal .......
The climate here is quite dry and sunny during most of the day so it's been quite easy to cruise around the city by foot only employing taxis when we know the walk is a long one through congested and smoggy main streets of this Nepali capital.
Once the insanity of Holi passed - oh and it seems that one of the things I left out about Holi is that it's not just about the tossing of water it's also about the hucking of handfuls of colored pigment on everyone in your immediate proximity - we started to take in Kathmandu to the full extent.
Daqy before yesterday we took a taxi to Patan, one of the three cities in Kathmandu. Patan's Durbar Square is packed with temples and they serve as excellent examples of Newari architecture. Like Kathmandu's Durbar Square it was also filled fruit, vegetable, grain, clothing, and souvenir vendors all trying to sway you into coughing up rupees for their particular product. But the atmosphere in Patan is much more mellow than in Kathmandu. The more relaxed environment allowed us the opportunity to chill out and really take in the place.
The temples resemble pagodas you might see in other parts of Asia but they are dark in color which to my eye sets them apart from structures seen elsewhere.
Yesterday after shopping like there was no tomorrow we made it over to Baktapur - this the last little city in Kathmandu we'd left to visit. Baktapur lays southeast of Kathmandu and the taxi ride to and from was probably the most interesting part of the trip. The journey really is the destination as is said.
This particular journey took us outside the metropolitan Kathmandu and in through more mixed neighborhoods where you could see crop fields and some livestock here and there. Buildings were in varied states - some being raised and some falling down. People sat outside in the dirty and dusty sometimes unpaved streets selling produce, giving haircuts or just mulling around their motorcycles. Have I mentioned the vast number of motorcycles in this city? It's insane.
This morning I find myself still in the midst of processing what I've experienced during this trip seeing as how we leave for Bangkok in a few hours and this will be the first leg of the journey home.
I didn't have a lot of expectations except that it would be something very different from most of the other traveling I've done. And to some extent that is/was true. Traveling is still traveling - it's about being foreign and how you choose to work with that, what you choose to focus on and what comes up for you in the process.
During the course of our time away I've had the strangest dreams; many latent and old fears have come to life. Early on I was annoyed; here I was on vacation, relaxing and all this ancient crud decided to make its way to the surface of my subconscious mind. After the 2nd night of this I just decided to embrace it hoping that in there somewhere would be good information for me to work with. There's a sentiment in Buddhism - open the doors and let everything in - because what you resist will persist. Maybe that too is what traveling is all about - not resisting what is different or foreign to you - but letting it in and embracing the knowledge of whatever shows up.
Pics will be posted as soon as I can get somewhere to dump all the data from my camera.
Namaste!
Monday, March 5, 2007
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Catching Up With Bhutan
Okay - - - so let's backtrack:
Day 1 Bhutan: We arrived in Paro via Druk air - the only airline that operates in Bhutan. We visited Paro Dzong - dzongs are fortresses built to house the Government and Monastic bodies for the region in which is resides. There are something like 25 Dzongs in Bhutan.
After lunch we drove to Thimpu; but this was not any ordinary drive. The road from Paro to Thimpu is under construction what this equates to are a lot of stops along the narrow snaking dirt road. The Bhutanese government employs people from India to work on the roads. This is hard work and as we were frequently stopped waiting for workers to clear their equipment so we could pass we caught quite a glimpse of how it is done. Men, women and small childern move rocks by hand, clear dirt, shovel and drill into the sides of mountains to create a wider birth for automobiles to pass. It was incredible and a little frightening to watch.
Day 2 & 3: These I mostly covered in a previous post - we traveled from Thimpu straight away to Punahka in order to attend the Punahka Festival. We stayed in Wangdue overnight at a lovely resort with a river running behind it. T'was delightful!
After we left the Punahka festival we walked through a farm and paddies to see the Temple of The Divine Madman and then made our way back to Thimpu.
Think I forgot to mention that at the festival we caught a glimpse of the new King of Bhutan and the Head Abbot.
Oh and did I mention the safe sex demonstration? Yes, well inbetween the mask dances there are basically these clowns who come out and entertain, taunt and tease the crowds of Bhutanese onlookers. Part of their schtick was carrying wooden phalluses. It took me a minute to figure out that the wooden sticks were actually phallluses and then eventually I saw one of the jesters distributing condoms to kids seated in the front viewing rows. There was much giggling and at some point the clown wooden phallus in hand demonstrated how the condom was to be used. It was brilliant. Bhutan has a limit on the number of childern a family have and I'm guessing that this demonstration is one of the ways in which they teach people from a very early age how to make sure they follow the rules!
There were also a fair number of billboards throughout all the cities we visited that made mention of the need to 'Know HIV/AIDs = No HIV/AIDS'. Again, I was impressed.
Day 4: Our first full day in Thimpu; this is a more 'modern' city and it is the capital. Visually speaking this means that there are newer building which tower above the two story limit of other places (like Paro for example).
We visited Bhutan's Textile Museum and their Folk Heritage Museum. Bhutanese are known for their textiles. They work with a loom and weave intricate and colorful patterns from silk, cotton and wool. My mom and I snagged a couple of scarves from the museum gift shop - they'll make excellent wall hangings.
The Folk Heritage Museum is basically a replica of a typical Bhutanese farm house.
Day 5: We visted the National Library. Eventually made our way back to Paro for and visited the National Museum, the Ruined Dzong and Mt. Jhomalhari.
Day 6: I took a 4 + hour hike up to Tiger's Nest Monastery. My mom decided to sit this one out. It was a nice and very steadily challenging hike. The prize at the end was seeing the Monastery built in the perch were Guru Rinpoche was said to have descended on the back of his favorite consort who'd taken the form of a flying tiger.
Day 7: Home again, home again, well back to Nepal anyway.
I'm still sorting out my thoughts and impressions of Bhutan. Will blog more about that later. Traveling there was an experience that I'm glad to have had. It's a strange and quietly fantastic culture that to my eye remains unadulterated by the likes of Western consumerism and capitalism. Just to give you a taste, they once had MTV and Wrestling but after some time decided to take it away.
Day 1 Bhutan: We arrived in Paro via Druk air - the only airline that operates in Bhutan. We visited Paro Dzong - dzongs are fortresses built to house the Government and Monastic bodies for the region in which is resides. There are something like 25 Dzongs in Bhutan.
After lunch we drove to Thimpu; but this was not any ordinary drive. The road from Paro to Thimpu is under construction what this equates to are a lot of stops along the narrow snaking dirt road. The Bhutanese government employs people from India to work on the roads. This is hard work and as we were frequently stopped waiting for workers to clear their equipment so we could pass we caught quite a glimpse of how it is done. Men, women and small childern move rocks by hand, clear dirt, shovel and drill into the sides of mountains to create a wider birth for automobiles to pass. It was incredible and a little frightening to watch.
Day 2 & 3: These I mostly covered in a previous post - we traveled from Thimpu straight away to Punahka in order to attend the Punahka Festival. We stayed in Wangdue overnight at a lovely resort with a river running behind it. T'was delightful!
After we left the Punahka festival we walked through a farm and paddies to see the Temple of The Divine Madman and then made our way back to Thimpu.
Think I forgot to mention that at the festival we caught a glimpse of the new King of Bhutan and the Head Abbot.
Oh and did I mention the safe sex demonstration? Yes, well inbetween the mask dances there are basically these clowns who come out and entertain, taunt and tease the crowds of Bhutanese onlookers. Part of their schtick was carrying wooden phalluses. It took me a minute to figure out that the wooden sticks were actually phallluses and then eventually I saw one of the jesters distributing condoms to kids seated in the front viewing rows. There was much giggling and at some point the clown wooden phallus in hand demonstrated how the condom was to be used. It was brilliant. Bhutan has a limit on the number of childern a family have and I'm guessing that this demonstration is one of the ways in which they teach people from a very early age how to make sure they follow the rules!
There were also a fair number of billboards throughout all the cities we visited that made mention of the need to 'Know HIV/AIDs = No HIV/AIDS'. Again, I was impressed.
Day 4: Our first full day in Thimpu; this is a more 'modern' city and it is the capital. Visually speaking this means that there are newer building which tower above the two story limit of other places (like Paro for example).
We visited Bhutan's Textile Museum and their Folk Heritage Museum. Bhutanese are known for their textiles. They work with a loom and weave intricate and colorful patterns from silk, cotton and wool. My mom and I snagged a couple of scarves from the museum gift shop - they'll make excellent wall hangings.
The Folk Heritage Museum is basically a replica of a typical Bhutanese farm house.
Day 5: We visted the National Library. Eventually made our way back to Paro for and visited the National Museum, the Ruined Dzong and Mt. Jhomalhari.
Day 6: I took a 4 + hour hike up to Tiger's Nest Monastery. My mom decided to sit this one out. It was a nice and very steadily challenging hike. The prize at the end was seeing the Monastery built in the perch were Guru Rinpoche was said to have descended on the back of his favorite consort who'd taken the form of a flying tiger.
Day 7: Home again, home again, well back to Nepal anyway.
I'm still sorting out my thoughts and impressions of Bhutan. Will blog more about that later. Traveling there was an experience that I'm glad to have had. It's a strange and quietly fantastic culture that to my eye remains unadulterated by the likes of Western consumerism and capitalism. Just to give you a taste, they once had MTV and Wrestling but after some time decided to take it away.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Happy Holi!
Well we are back in Kathmandu and it seems I inadvertently planned for us to be here during the Holi Festival. Another festival, sounds great, right?!
The Holi Festival is like a rite of Spring; it's a reminder to people that Spring and the Monsoon season are coming. The main civilian method of participation in this celebration is to 'play Holi' which equates to throwing colored water on your friends, neighbors and random passerbys.
My mom and I got a whiff of the game last night after we arrived back here from Bhutan. We took a stroll through Thamel, the tourist ghetto of Kathmandu. At some point water came pouring out a window above me and onto my head. I was miffed to say the least not having a clue as to what was in the water or why I was a target. Then we spotted kids with water bombs (clear plastic baggies filled with water) waiting for just the right moment to nail a hapless tourist right in the ass. I thought for awhile these were just games Nepali kiddies played on foreign visitors but then it was explained to us that there was to be a festival and the water works were part of it.
This morning we decided to damn to torpedos or better put - water bombs - and walk from our hotel to Durbur Square in Kathmandu. We mapped out a path to get there and I had it in mind that if things got really crazy we would duck into the National Museum to escape the festivites.
And so it began, kids from every direction ducked out from shops, windows and just plain in the middle of the road taunting my mom and I with little baggies full over water. Needless to say we got nailed a time or two (at least). We walked for some time and then decided to hell with it and hopped into a rickshaw to make our way down to Durbar Square. Wise move I realized after catching a glimpse of some Westerners not only drenched but with color all over their face, hair and clothing.
The rickshaw presents another interesting experience of course and that is navigating the narrow streets of Kathmandu and competing with taxis, scooters and motorcycles for room on the road. It's quite an experience, horns are honked continually, engines die here and there as taxi drivers have to make their way around skinny corners in low gear and there we were in a covered rickshaw powered by a fairly thin Nepali man in pedaling the bicycle in sandals.
Durbar Square was nothing short of amazing. Temple after temple, angry goddesses, people dressed in colorful clothing, water balloon fights, vegetables and fruits being hawked on the street.
Kathmandu provides a riot for the senses. In retrospect the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu is a sedate little town nestled in a valley with sleeping giant mountains on both sides.
I need to blog more about the last week in Bhutan and seeing as how things will be insane outside here for the afternoon it seems like a good time to catch up. We've been assured that the water portion of the Holi program ends at sunset today!
The Holi Festival is like a rite of Spring; it's a reminder to people that Spring and the Monsoon season are coming. The main civilian method of participation in this celebration is to 'play Holi' which equates to throwing colored water on your friends, neighbors and random passerbys.
My mom and I got a whiff of the game last night after we arrived back here from Bhutan. We took a stroll through Thamel, the tourist ghetto of Kathmandu. At some point water came pouring out a window above me and onto my head. I was miffed to say the least not having a clue as to what was in the water or why I was a target. Then we spotted kids with water bombs (clear plastic baggies filled with water) waiting for just the right moment to nail a hapless tourist right in the ass. I thought for awhile these were just games Nepali kiddies played on foreign visitors but then it was explained to us that there was to be a festival and the water works were part of it.
This morning we decided to damn to torpedos or better put - water bombs - and walk from our hotel to Durbur Square in Kathmandu. We mapped out a path to get there and I had it in mind that if things got really crazy we would duck into the National Museum to escape the festivites.
And so it began, kids from every direction ducked out from shops, windows and just plain in the middle of the road taunting my mom and I with little baggies full over water. Needless to say we got nailed a time or two (at least). We walked for some time and then decided to hell with it and hopped into a rickshaw to make our way down to Durbar Square. Wise move I realized after catching a glimpse of some Westerners not only drenched but with color all over their face, hair and clothing.
The rickshaw presents another interesting experience of course and that is navigating the narrow streets of Kathmandu and competing with taxis, scooters and motorcycles for room on the road. It's quite an experience, horns are honked continually, engines die here and there as taxi drivers have to make their way around skinny corners in low gear and there we were in a covered rickshaw powered by a fairly thin Nepali man in pedaling the bicycle in sandals.
Durbar Square was nothing short of amazing. Temple after temple, angry goddesses, people dressed in colorful clothing, water balloon fights, vegetables and fruits being hawked on the street.
Kathmandu provides a riot for the senses. In retrospect the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu is a sedate little town nestled in a valley with sleeping giant mountains on both sides.
I need to blog more about the last week in Bhutan and seeing as how things will be insane outside here for the afternoon it seems like a good time to catch up. We've been assured that the water portion of the Holi program ends at sunset today!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Return To Thimpu After Punahka and Wangdue
We just arrived in Thimpu after leaving it yesterday morning. We spent last night in the town of Wangdue which is close to Punahka town where we attended the festival.
The festival was pretty interesting; highlights include mask dances, a renactment of the failed invasion of the Tibetans, phallic symbols everywhere and safe sex demonstrations (more about that later).
The festivals are for the Bhutanese people of the town in which they occur. The celebration takes place in the Dzong of the town; Dzongs are town centers that look something like fortresses where the monastic and government bodies of the town live and work. There is a courtyard in the center of the Dzong where demonstrations and festivals take place.
Last night after our first day at the festival we drove to Wangdue to spend the night in a resort. The resort faced the Wandue river and was quite lovely and peaceful.
In the morning we drove back to Punahka for our 2nd day of the festival and the first day of a typical Teschu. It was today that we witnessed the mask dances.
After the festival and lunch we took a walk through some rice, corn, mustard, wheat, garlic and onion fields and made our way to the Temple of the Divine Madman, another heroic figure of Bhutanese lore. This particular temple is known as a fertility temple; people visit it if they wish to have childern and after a child is born they come to this temple to receive a name for the child. People in Bhutan only have a given name, no family name and their names are all Buddhist terms. For example, our guide whos is absolutely delightful is named Karma and our driver is named Lakee which means 'luck'.
Bhutan is indeed a fascinating place where there is no shortage of the fantastical.
The festival was pretty interesting; highlights include mask dances, a renactment of the failed invasion of the Tibetans, phallic symbols everywhere and safe sex demonstrations (more about that later).
The festivals are for the Bhutanese people of the town in which they occur. The celebration takes place in the Dzong of the town; Dzongs are town centers that look something like fortresses where the monastic and government bodies of the town live and work. There is a courtyard in the center of the Dzong where demonstrations and festivals take place.
Last night after our first day at the festival we drove to Wangdue to spend the night in a resort. The resort faced the Wandue river and was quite lovely and peaceful.
In the morning we drove back to Punahka for our 2nd day of the festival and the first day of a typical Teschu. It was today that we witnessed the mask dances.
After the festival and lunch we took a walk through some rice, corn, mustard, wheat, garlic and onion fields and made our way to the Temple of the Divine Madman, another heroic figure of Bhutanese lore. This particular temple is known as a fertility temple; people visit it if they wish to have childern and after a child is born they come to this temple to receive a name for the child. People in Bhutan only have a given name, no family name and their names are all Buddhist terms. For example, our guide whos is absolutely delightful is named Karma and our driver is named Lakee which means 'luck'.
Bhutan is indeed a fascinating place where there is no shortage of the fantastical.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
There Is A Reason Bhutan Is Called The Last Shangri-La
We arrived in Paro yesterday after a 45 minute flight from Kathmandu during which we got an amazing view of the Himalayan mountain range including Mt. Everest. Seeing those beauties from up in the air was nothing short of breath taking. There is a serenity and also something quite formidable about that mountain range. I understand the allure they hold for climbers and mountaineers but I also think it's completely mad to attempt to climb them.
I have about 5 minutes before we check out of the hotel so I'll just give you the quick highlights.
Bhutan's towns Paro and Thimpu (the country's capital) sit in a valley surrounded by wooded mountain sides. All of the architecture must be made to a structural and aesthetic standard creating the effect of uniformity and purpose. All of the buildings are painted using heavy Buddhist iconography and color.
This morning we drive to Punhaka to witness a festival. Today is the first day of the festival so I'm told we will witness the mask dances that these festivals are known for.
The food has been unusual and delicious. More about that later.
The weather is stellar - warm (60-70 degrees farenheit) with clear skies. I couldn't have asked for a better holiday.
I have about 5 minutes before we check out of the hotel so I'll just give you the quick highlights.
Bhutan's towns Paro and Thimpu (the country's capital) sit in a valley surrounded by wooded mountain sides. All of the architecture must be made to a structural and aesthetic standard creating the effect of uniformity and purpose. All of the buildings are painted using heavy Buddhist iconography and color.
This morning we drive to Punhaka to witness a festival. Today is the first day of the festival so I'm told we will witness the mask dances that these festivals are known for.
The food has been unusual and delicious. More about that later.
The weather is stellar - warm (60-70 degrees farenheit) with clear skies. I couldn't have asked for a better holiday.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Boudhanath and Pashupatinath
We arrived in Nepal early afternoon yesterday via a lovely flight on Thai Airways from Bangkok. The new international airport in Bangkok which I would bother to google and add proper link for except my net connection is incredibly slow at the moment (you should see the row of batteries sitting next to me; I think they must power the joint).
Upon arrival we got into a taxi and headed to Boudhanath which is just north of the airport. The drive was intense as cab rides in any city can be and the driver's 'friend' who accompanied us was on the make. Like lambs to the slaughter tourists pour out of the airport and we were not an exception as we found out later that we paid way too much for the ride to our guest house in Boudhanath. I figure there's one of those on every trip and at least we now know how much a cab ride to the airport should cost.
The Lotus Guest House - our home for 2 nights before we head out to Bhutan is on the north side of town. Our 'deluxe' room is simple and small by western standards but the grounds of the house are so peaceful it's a delight to retreat to.
Boudhanatha's most important feature is its Tibetan stupa; let it be said the stupa is amazing. There is a large Tibetan community that lives here and as such there are some 30 gompas (monasteries) in the neighborhood. Everywhere you turn you'll see Tibetan monks of every age head shaved and dressed in red robes. Watching the little boy monks play what looks like kickball in the gompa yards brings a smile to my face. These people exude a natural grace that is very quietly inspirational. Needless to say I'm pleased I decided to bring us here first; it's provided a gentle introduction to Nepal and Himalayan culture.
After checking out Boudhanath last night we decided to walk to nearby Pashupatinath this morning where one the largest Hindu temple in the subcontinent rests. The walk along the Nepali highway was longer than we expected and crossing the main roads a bit nerve racking what with cars, buses, motorcycles whizzing about. Hindus and sadhus from all over this part of Asia make pilgrimages to the temple and while anyone may walk around the area non-Hindus are not allowed inside. The Bagmati river flows through Pashipatinath and along the river we found creamtion grounds and indeed a few cremations taking place.
The energy at Pashupatinath is quite different than in Boudhanath. My mother and I were not only allowed inside the Tibetan gompas but asked to sit with the monks to join them in meditation. Aside from a few begging kids hanging out on the outskirts of the stupa circle we were not hustled for money in Boudhanath but in Pashupatinath the tourists get bombarded with women selling beads, men dressed in orange robes ready to smear red pigment on your forehead in exchange for some rupees and seemingly well intentioned men who show up to guide you through the area for a small fee. Ah! To be a tourist.
When we return to Kathmandu after our week in Bhutan we will stay in the center of town. I'm wondering just how full on it's going to be after experiencing the quiet of Boudhanath.
I'm not suffering jet lag too terribly at this point. Mostly the only thing standing in the way of my sleep were the barking dogs that woke both me and my mom up around 3:30am. I've read other travelers complain of Himalayan hounds disrupting their slumber so we brought ear plugs. It was just a riot in a way - we saw loads of dogs around the stupa yesterday afternoon but nearly every single one of them was curled up sleeping while hordes of people walked around them. I guess we simply trade places at nightfall.
As I reread and edit this entry I remember something I was thinking earlier today - there really aren't words to describe the experience here. I can recount aspects of the adventure but it is a land and people so very different from anything I've ever experienced to attempt to describe them just seems a bit futile.
I am taking photos and look forward to sharing those upon my return. In the meanwhile hope you're enjoying what little I can share from here!
Namaste.
PS - Have no clue if I'll be able to post from Bhutan!
Upon arrival we got into a taxi and headed to Boudhanath which is just north of the airport. The drive was intense as cab rides in any city can be and the driver's 'friend' who accompanied us was on the make. Like lambs to the slaughter tourists pour out of the airport and we were not an exception as we found out later that we paid way too much for the ride to our guest house in Boudhanath. I figure there's one of those on every trip and at least we now know how much a cab ride to the airport should cost.
The Lotus Guest House - our home for 2 nights before we head out to Bhutan is on the north side of town. Our 'deluxe' room is simple and small by western standards but the grounds of the house are so peaceful it's a delight to retreat to.
Boudhanatha's most important feature is its Tibetan stupa; let it be said the stupa is amazing. There is a large Tibetan community that lives here and as such there are some 30 gompas (monasteries) in the neighborhood. Everywhere you turn you'll see Tibetan monks of every age head shaved and dressed in red robes. Watching the little boy monks play what looks like kickball in the gompa yards brings a smile to my face. These people exude a natural grace that is very quietly inspirational. Needless to say I'm pleased I decided to bring us here first; it's provided a gentle introduction to Nepal and Himalayan culture.
After checking out Boudhanath last night we decided to walk to nearby Pashupatinath this morning where one the largest Hindu temple in the subcontinent rests. The walk along the Nepali highway was longer than we expected and crossing the main roads a bit nerve racking what with cars, buses, motorcycles whizzing about. Hindus and sadhus from all over this part of Asia make pilgrimages to the temple and while anyone may walk around the area non-Hindus are not allowed inside. The Bagmati river flows through Pashipatinath and along the river we found creamtion grounds and indeed a few cremations taking place.
The energy at Pashupatinath is quite different than in Boudhanath. My mother and I were not only allowed inside the Tibetan gompas but asked to sit with the monks to join them in meditation. Aside from a few begging kids hanging out on the outskirts of the stupa circle we were not hustled for money in Boudhanath but in Pashupatinath the tourists get bombarded with women selling beads, men dressed in orange robes ready to smear red pigment on your forehead in exchange for some rupees and seemingly well intentioned men who show up to guide you through the area for a small fee. Ah! To be a tourist.
When we return to Kathmandu after our week in Bhutan we will stay in the center of town. I'm wondering just how full on it's going to be after experiencing the quiet of Boudhanath.
I'm not suffering jet lag too terribly at this point. Mostly the only thing standing in the way of my sleep were the barking dogs that woke both me and my mom up around 3:30am. I've read other travelers complain of Himalayan hounds disrupting their slumber so we brought ear plugs. It was just a riot in a way - we saw loads of dogs around the stupa yesterday afternoon but nearly every single one of them was curled up sleeping while hordes of people walked around them. I guess we simply trade places at nightfall.
As I reread and edit this entry I remember something I was thinking earlier today - there really aren't words to describe the experience here. I can recount aspects of the adventure but it is a land and people so very different from anything I've ever experienced to attempt to describe them just seems a bit futile.
I am taking photos and look forward to sharing those upon my return. In the meanwhile hope you're enjoying what little I can share from here!
Namaste.
PS - Have no clue if I'll be able to post from Bhutan!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Crossing The International Date Line On Our Way To The Tsechu
Okay, we're now in Japan for our little layover on the way to Bangkok. Narita airport is far more subdued than I imagined a Japanese airport this close to Tokyo might be.
No real excitement except for having seen 4 movies over the course of 11 hours inflight. I think I am officially caught up on mediocre America films. And so you know, I still think Russell Crowe is a terrible actor.
Onto more interesting things, one of the cool things we're going to do while in Bhutan is attend a Tsechu. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism. The focal point of the tsechus are the sacred Cham Dances, which are banned in neighbouring Tibet. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingmapa teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
Most tsechus also feature the unfurling of a thongdrel (or thangka) - a large tapestry typically depicting a seated Guru Rinpoche surrounded by holy beings, the mere viewing of which is said to cleanse the viewer of sin. The thongdrel is unrolled before dawn and rolled up by morning.
Here are some visuals courtesy of utube:
No real excitement except for having seen 4 movies over the course of 11 hours inflight. I think I am officially caught up on mediocre America films. And so you know, I still think Russell Crowe is a terrible actor.
Onto more interesting things, one of the cool things we're going to do while in Bhutan is attend a Tsechu. Tsechus are religious festivals of Drukpa Buddhism. The focal point of the tsechus are the sacred Cham Dances, which are banned in neighbouring Tibet. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingmapa teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
Most tsechus also feature the unfurling of a thongdrel (or thangka) - a large tapestry typically depicting a seated Guru Rinpoche surrounded by holy beings, the mere viewing of which is said to cleanse the viewer of sin. The thongdrel is unrolled before dawn and rolled up by morning.
Here are some visuals courtesy of utube:
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