A day of sights just outside Thimphu

Just finished my first full week of work in the psych clinic.  Counseling is definitely in its infancy here, and the work is truly a challenge.  The patients’ English is more minimal than I’d expected, making communication difficult.  Much of my work is done through an interpreter, patiently performed by Ugyen, a counseling intern who can fluidly switch from English to Dzongkha to Nepali to Sharchop.  Patients don’t understand the counseling process and seem to sit down and expect me to somehow “fix” them without their having to say or do anything.  Anxiety and panic attacks (complete with fainting) are quite prevalent here, perhaps due to the rapidly changing social and work environment.

Temple at Dochula Pass

Today was pure sightseeing, with Ugyen as my capable guide.  We drove to Dochula Pass, the most well known pass in Bhutan.  It is located about 18 miles out of Thimphu at an altitude just over 10,000 feet. This spot provides a breathtaking 360° view of the area.  The 108 chortens were built by Queen Mother to honor the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed when fighting the Indian rebels in 2003.  Ugyen hung prayer flags while I took in the scenery sitting in a nearby meditation hut.  On the way down, we got stuck at a road closure for construction to widen the narrow twisty road.  We could have been 

Ugyen hanging prayer flags

stuck there for a long time but were saved by the arrival of some government VIPs for whom they quickly cleared the road and we merrily followed them through. 

108 memorial chortens

Our next stop was the Takin Preserve.  The takin is the national animal of Bhutan.  It is said to be a cross between a cow and a goat, but it appears much more like a moose to me!  Apparently their large round nose houses a very large sinus cavity that allows the cold winter air to warm up before being fully inhaled.  You might want to read the colorful legend regarding the creation of this unusual beast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motithang_Takin_Preerve).  The preserve is also home to some beautiful creatures called Muntjacs or Barking Deer.  They were silent today.

A very handsome beast!

Feeding the takin

Little girl feeding a little Muntjac

We left the preserve to go to Buddha Point where one of the world’s largest Buddha statues sit high atop a mountain overlooking Thimphu.  Unfortunately, there was construction work going on and we couldn’t get very close.  Instead we opted for a walk through Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, 943 acres of forest area surrounding the Buddha Dordenma statue.  

Rear view was all I could get because of construction

Prayer flags at the nature park

View of Thimphu on the way home

Altogether a wonderful day!