I don't think I mentioned in my last post, but I'm now in Bhutan, which should partially explain the delay in posting. Bhutan is the keystone of my trip, as it marks both the halfway point and has the highest significance on my future. I'm hoping to conduct research here as part of my PhD studies, and Bhutan is well-known in academia for being difficult to obtain permission to conduct research.
So I have spent much of my time in meetings and trying to contact people in the government, NGOs and the university system to try to figure out a way to collaborate on a project. Things are generally look pretty positive, although nothing is certain, even after I leave I think nothing will be certain, so please don't forget to cross your fingers for me when you go to sleep at night.
But my time here has been really great. Bhutan is a world apart from India and Nepal. I feel odd saying that, but in the past 50 years, Bhutan has developed by leaps and bounds, somehow preserving their natural environment in the process. This is what I'm hoping to study, the reasons why Bhutan has faired so well, and hopefully will continue to do so.
As some of you know, Tantric Buddhism is the dominant religion here, and the division between the sexes is far lower than nearby areas. In fact, I was taught the first day I got here about the “kurta namaste.” Some of you know what Namaste is, it is a greeting made by pressing the hands together in front of your face like you're praying. Kurta means feet or legs, so you can imagine what a kurta namaste is (and if you can't, drop me an e-mail. I'd be happy to go into further detail.
Bhutan has a fascinating approach to tourism, which they term “low quantity, high quality” it means that I have to pay wicked high prices and in exchange my meals and lodging are taken care of, as well as transportation and a guide. Since I'm traveling alone that means that I not only have my own driver, but my own guide as well. My driver doesn't speak English, so our interactions are limited to Nepali. The guide speaks English quite well and is really knowledgeable about his country (or he is a great bullshitter). He loves jokes, so he and I have been trading them in between our other tasks. The driver also likes to share jokes, and they are all quite lewd.
But this has really been a work trip, so no really good stories yet. Sunday we're going on a hike, which I'm really excited about. And on Wednesday morning there is supposed to be a total solar eclipse, the longest one for the next 150 years. Cross the rest of your fingers that it won't be cloudy that morning!
So I have spent much of my time in meetings and trying to contact people in the government, NGOs and the university system to try to figure out a way to collaborate on a project. Things are generally look pretty positive, although nothing is certain, even after I leave I think nothing will be certain, so please don't forget to cross your fingers for me when you go to sleep at night.
But my time here has been really great. Bhutan is a world apart from India and Nepal. I feel odd saying that, but in the past 50 years, Bhutan has developed by leaps and bounds, somehow preserving their natural environment in the process. This is what I'm hoping to study, the reasons why Bhutan has faired so well, and hopefully will continue to do so.
As some of you know, Tantric Buddhism is the dominant religion here, and the division between the sexes is far lower than nearby areas. In fact, I was taught the first day I got here about the “kurta namaste.” Some of you know what Namaste is, it is a greeting made by pressing the hands together in front of your face like you're praying. Kurta means feet or legs, so you can imagine what a kurta namaste is (and if you can't, drop me an e-mail. I'd be happy to go into further detail.
Bhutan has a fascinating approach to tourism, which they term “low quantity, high quality” it means that I have to pay wicked high prices and in exchange my meals and lodging are taken care of, as well as transportation and a guide. Since I'm traveling alone that means that I not only have my own driver, but my own guide as well. My driver doesn't speak English, so our interactions are limited to Nepali. The guide speaks English quite well and is really knowledgeable about his country (or he is a great bullshitter). He loves jokes, so he and I have been trading them in between our other tasks. The driver also likes to share jokes, and they are all quite lewd.
But this has really been a work trip, so no really good stories yet. Sunday we're going on a hike, which I'm really excited about. And on Wednesday morning there is supposed to be a total solar eclipse, the longest one for the next 150 years. Cross the rest of your fingers that it won't be cloudy that morning!
Dude-
ReplyDeleteyou're hilarious