connected?
So, this afternoon we were able to connect with an internet place that only charges 10 cents a minute! So we thought we would write a joint post to fill you in on all our adventures over the past few days. Yesterday we stayed at the most fabulous place - you can google it - the Yanghkil Resort. We loved it! Bathtub! some hot water (Sue used it all up but I don’t begrudge her this fact cause it’s only the second time she bathed in pat 4 days - so new bathing tally: Susan: 6; Sue 2). Last time we wrote we came to you from Thimpu, the Capitol. We passed over the Dorchu La at 10,000 feet. We were walking pratically in the clounds amongst 108 stupas. We took lots of phots that we can’t post now cause it’s too expensive.
Then we drove to Wangdue (pronouned ong-dee) we ate a fabulous lunch on a riverbank with sun and wind and good fruit! From there we visited the Punakha Dzong (Temple) which was spectacular. Really - I don’t think either of us has ever seen anything like it. so maney beautiful little kids were visitng the dzong to see a dance performance but it seemed like Sue and her camera were a bigger hit. One little boy in particualr squated in front of Sue till she finally took the hint that all he wanted was his photo taken! Thrilled, he ran over to his mom so excited afterwards. The thing about this is - no one ever asks for money. It’s just the sheer joy of it - really - not a single person has tried to hit us up for a single ngultrum.
It was also here that we had the most distiguished experience of our lives….we peed with monks. So auspicious. So there is this trough-like system for peeing at the Dzong and they told us we could use it…for some reason I (Susan W.) entered alone while Sue B. stood watch - we don’t know why we did this as the place was big enough for a circus. So - I’m peeing and I hear a group of monks enter…you have to picture this - it’s just some cement walls separating each “trough”. Up I stood to be faced with five monks peeing. I bowed and moved on….then Sue entered where I think she peed wioth only one monk. I bet this has never happened to any one else we know!
Later we hiked across some rice and wheat paddies to a Gompa built by a mad lama to bury a demoness - not as impressive as the previous temple - where we didn’t mention - but we saw GIANT Buddha statues that were astounding. Anyway - back to the mad man - nice little temple where Sue tried a bit of the local liquor. (She hasn’t been right since). It was a lovely walk…
Then to our not-so-auspicous hotel called the YT - stands for yuck toey. But last night at the swanky resort made up for it. Are tyou confused yet?
Anyway - today we made our way to the Trongsa Dzong - very impressive line of ttemples and administrative buildings built onto the side of a cliff. Beautiful sites of women washing red robes and laying out to dry on the rocks (pictures to come soon). I (Susan W.) found a gorgsous 300 year old thanka on our trip from Trongsa to Bumthag. To see it - you will have to visit me at home cause it’s not for the store - just for my home! We also found some giant prayer flags - we are so BLESSED. So we are in Bumthang - the hotel is also called a resort - but, sadly, it’s not. We do have a sort of pot-belly stove in our room to keep us warm (we hope). As we walk around town this afternoon they are boiling water for our - I kid - MY shower! (tally will be Susan 7; Sue 2). (I just like to be clean - but really - Sue doesn’t seem too dirty) . Ok - so I think we’ve spent about a lattes worth of time with you on this duel post. We are sitting in a tiny shack next to each other on benches posting away. Don’t expect a post tomorrow - we hope this will satisfy you Bhutan updates for a day or two. Full schedule tomorrow in Bumtang seeing temples, etc.
Love to everyone!!
Sue and Susan in Bumtahng, Bhutan where it’s kind of chilly - and 3:29 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
