Tharpaling Nyekor & Kikiphu Hike

Towards Tharpaling

Tharpaling lies at an elevation of 3600m and is about one hour drive from Chamkhar valley. If you take Lamaigonpa trek, it will be almost 3 hours walk. The taxi fare from Chamkhar to Tharpaling was Nu.1500/- which means Nu.350/- per head. We boarded Wagon R taxi. Also if you trek from Kikila it may take 4 hours roughly. Likewise there are several routes to reach Tharpaling. Our car began at 6:40 a.m. from Chamkhar. As we continued, when we reached Urok, there were herd of cattles supposedly on their winter migration. We stopped to buy milk and cheese. The herder told us that they were leaving for Jo-Durshing, trying to speak in English too, 'bay-lag mo-tain,' which he meant was a black mountain. They were offering us curd and milk but we denied. The cheese was already sold before our arrival so bought milk and continued our drive. Unlike in the past Tharpaling monastery is connected with paved road. The time was 8:07 a.m. when we reached Tharpaling.

Lady herder pouring milk 

Chodra Gonpa

Chodra Gonpa entrance

There are two different accounts to why it is called as Chodra, of course as per the oral history. First story tell's about a dharma being concealed at the cliff by a great Guru Rinpoche. Which literally means Cho-dharma and dra-cliff. Second story goes little different. It is said that a person who have cleansed off their negative karma can hear the sound of dharma from the cliff upon listening closely. That's why the name Cho-dharma and dra-sound is given. However I'm not really sure since I didn't get the written information. Yet I believed what I'm being told by the kungyer as it seems relevant in both the case. Folks, this is not the only story about Chodra. There are many interesting stories one will come across if you happen to visit. For some reason I'm not going to share the stories in details. It is better to visit once in your lifetime.

Towards the left of a monastery there are many sacred nye. We covered the entire sacred places. It was full of fun and blessing at the most.

View of a place where Drasung Lhatso is located

One interesting story tells that the Longchenpa had entrusted his horse to adrung, in charge of the horse. However Locals of Domkhar complained that their wheat crop in Pangri was destroyed by his horse. It was obvious of such incident since Longchen did not have grazing land. Land of Domkharpa, Urokpa and Gyalsapa surrounded Samling. Anyways to know the allegations, one morning, without the notice, Longchen struck the end of thread ball on the back of adrung’s attire using needle, the thread ball began to unravel until it stopped.  Then Longchen followed the thread that didn't lead towards horse but lake above Urok known as Shawabumpai Tsho. He saw many ritual objects and instruments displayed at lakeshore while adrung was swimming. Longchen instantly recognized that his adrung was not a man but Rahula who was the protector of Nyingma. When Longchen unknowingly stepped on some dry leaves, adrung threw all objects into the lake on hearing the rustling sound. All Longchen could get was a cymbal. Today the same cymbal is kept in Samling as a ter. Prostrating before Rahula, Longchen explained that he had never known the true identity of his adrung. The lake came to be known as Drasung Latsho. 
                 -From Oral construction of Exile life and Times of Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam in Bumthang by Dorji Penjore.

Drasung Lhatso

We met Ani who spends most of her time meditating at Chodra Gonpa. She was so helpful that she even guided us towards the lake and it was her who narrated to me the story about Drasung Tsho but little different than the one I shared above after proper research. Around 10:50 a.m. we’d tea at their monastery guest room. (Of course we served our own tea that we carried with us.) Anyhow I'm thankful to Ani for her kind help. We would have loved to spend a night at Chodra after knowing the significance and also hospitality we received,  unfortunately we had to return. Next time!

Another sacred is to get a blessings from Nyushul Khenpo’s kudung chorten which is a few minutes walk above Chodra.

Just above Longchen Zhugthri, my friends

Kitiphu hike

After walking about 15 minutes from Chodra we came to another significant place. It is known as Longchen Zhugthri in which he spent most of the time composing and writing Longchen Dzod Dun. (Many believes Dzod Dun was composed and completed at Gangri Thoedkar in Tibet)

Longchen Zhugthri

Kikiphu trail starts from Zhugthri. Kikiphu lies at 4000m above sea level.  Therefore we were all excited. Precisely I was eager although I do not consider myself a good mountain climber. Since it was 12:38 p.m. we decided to take lunch at first base. By the way our lunch was packed from Welcome Hotel in Chamkhar. Eating in a mountain top is something I really enjoy. It was a delicious lunch.

When we were about to have lunch

Since we live in a digital world, we were taking pictures whenever we felt like, and at the most, simply hypnotized by the beauty of the mountain slopes, clouds and aroma of balu-sulu. It took us almost 2 hours to reach the  top because we walked and talked prolonging our journey. Otherwise I am sure it won't take more than hour. When you reach at the top it is as if touching the sky with your head. Entire Bumthang valley is seen and even Gangkar Punsum with blanketed snow at this time of a year. I wished if I had binoculars. Carry it, if you've.

At the back is seen Kikiphu

Kikiphu is also a home to some of the endangered wild animals. We spotted monal pheasant and other pheasant species. Also in the recent times tiger was seen in the Kikiphu region. We saw pooh but not sure of what animals although my instinct says it belong to a carnivores. 

Entire Chamkhar valley and Kharchu at the tip of finger 

Upon reaching the summit we offered smoke and prayers to appease the deities. How happy it was to go to the top of a mountain and do several wish fulfilling activities. I'm, no more cliché, simply  mesmerized.

Overlooking Chamkhar valley

Offering smoke and prayer at the summit of Kikiphu 

Returning 

Our initial plan was to take a Lamai Gonpa route. Since we missed to visit Tharpaling and other important sacred sites in the morning, we decided to take the same route through Chumey valley. It was already 4:30 p.m. when we reached the base of the mountain. And also it was getting dark. However we rushed to Tharpaling monastery but we couldn't locate even after asking an old man who was circumambulating nearby monastery. Later only did we saw the real Tharpaling monastery but it was late by that time. We had already reached other side of the road. I prayed, I'll come again.

Four of us hurried towards Trongsa-Bumthang highway when lo, and behold! short cut route messed us. By that time it was dark and using mobile flash light. To ease the confusion, I checked my cell phone and used google maps. Since none of us read google maps professionally it was  challenging. Still it was useful for direction purpose, though. One good thing, as per maps, was we were heading Samling but who would dare to allow us see ter (mentioned in the story above) at such an odd hours? Nevertheless we never talked anything than reaching the highway. To minimise risk we avoided short cut route and walked all the way from Samling village road to Urok-Gyalsa. It was not a pitch dark due to moon so walking in such serene atmosphere added another story in my diary. Such a raw experience for me. When we hit the highway, hardly, there was any movement of vehicle although it was only 7 o'clock. We thought to hitchhike till Chamkhar otherwise find taxi from the nearby house. After failing to get hitchhike, I called my sister, whose husband is a teacher at Chumey to manage taxi. Sometimes later brother-in-law lifted us till taxi driver's home and from there we reserved till Chamkhar. After dinner we reached monastery around 9:45 p.m. With so much body ache and also satisfaction, I sighed with relief.

Visiting Tharpaling, we missed to visit the main Tharpaling monastery. Perhaps it is another call for us?

Thowadra Nyekor

View of Thowa-Dra from the left

This year is my 11 years in Bumthang. Yet I've many beautiful and sacred places to explore. It is also true of what our local travellers were saying in their recent travel venture that Bhutan already have enough to keep us engaged both socially and spiritually. Socially because we have various groups of people dwelling in different parts of our country. They have their own distinct way of living including their dialect. Our country maybe small in size yet it is huge is culture. And spiritually Bhutan is rich. I've observed everything rooted to spiritualism. Believe it or not we even love and respect smallest of the insects to the biggest of pachyderms. Though small in size, over the past years, our country has evolved unique spiritual connection and passed onto us. 

End of road point from the bridge

Isn't it going to be a wonderful exploration in our country?

Welcome

As a spiritual practitioner myself sometimes going out of monotonous monastic life gives me some energy. Maybe I get nature's unbiased healing treatment from the jungle? I feel connected. Not always but once in a blue moon I decide to walk through the deep forest and reach a destiny where I can get blessing in return. 

On the way

On 30th Sept 2019 my friends and I visited one of the oldest temple known as Thowadra Since it was an unplanned trip we couldn't afford to include many interested friends. Nevertheless there's always next time.

Taking a rest on the way

From Chamkhar valley, on an average speed, the car managed to reach us after 2 hours drive. But I'm sure it won't take long during non-rainy days or seasons. I think we were unlucky, at least, for consuming ample of time in the bumpy ride after Tang Central School and that too in marshy road. By the way we were four and none have visited earlier. So it was obvious that we were to seek villagers help. Just before reaching Khangrab school junction we asked one man and he told us to take our car till we reach old house which would also be the last house 'coz road condition wouldn’t be better than worst beyond that point. As directed we kept driving. Since the road condition was poor we again asked another middle aged man and he told us that we were almost nearing what we were told by the first man. Like what those two man said, we approached old house but it was a complete silence at that instant. We didn't find any people in that house perhaps they’d gone for the farming work. Oh! There was an old man with rosary in his hand but I noticed that he was a blind as bat and deaf as post. We found some hope in our car that it would lead us till zero point hence continued without parking our car as suggested. It was not a worst road though rain in the previous night has ruined. In the middle of the road was hilux. We honked. Thought driver might turn-up after urinating around (whatever we expected driver would return.) Later we knew it was parked since there was slipped marks on the mud. Our car too parked behind theirs but not in the middle. I should say, we‘d some civic sense. Sorry! I didn't mean to hurt. It was gloomy weather so had to carry umbrella from that point. After walking almost ten minutes we managed to reach zero point. It was the start point of our destiny. I checked my cell phone to keep the track of time. It was 8:55 a.m. 

Birds eye view of Tang valley 

Most enchanting about jungle is you get to see exceptional flora and fauna. Frankly speaking, I thoroughly enjoy watching those varieties. 

I'm physical weak and this has always kept me behind my friends not only in walking a distance but in almost every manual work. On that day too I was behind. Thank god there was one friend and he was absolute behind me. By the way I didn't introduce any of them? So sorry. How selfish I'm. The two who leads are Jampel Yeshey and Jurmey Dorji. Those two guys walked better than us in the behind. But I'm not impressed. (I'll let you all know why I wasn't impressed in the latter part of our journey.) And the gentleman behind me is Lhakpa Tshering. It seemed to me that he couldn't walk since he do not have much experiences other than dealing with machines. Every loser gives excuses but our isn't. Any ways we rested after walking every few distances. After walking 37 minutes the first glimpse of blissful Thowadra was seen amid the giant pine tree leaves. When we walked few steps from there, it also begins different slope of the mountain assuring us to the real destiny above. Excited, at the same time I wished to reach without walking the slope. Still then my perseverance kept me going. I visualized Guru Rinpoche and Gelongma Palmo for they were the one who blessed that place long time ago and that has motivated me mentally to keep walking forward. The first door of Nye welcomes you and it is at the left side. From there onwards different Nye is seen since the concern people have put up a description in Tibetan script over the plank. When we were about to reach two men in the lead left us behind. I'd to squint my eyes to see them but in vain. They were not near two of ours short call. Lhakpa and I rested and walked steadily. Two of us reached to a point where two junction of path was there. It seemed misleading because of similar usage in both but I confidently took left. At that instant Lhakpa got a call from Jurmey which was a confirm in itself that they went into different direction. Two of us laughed. I told you in the beginning that I wasn't impressed because slow and steady wins the race. Lhakpa and I reached fast than the two in the lead. It was 11:31 a.m.

Lunch time

Finally we made to Thowadra. Gleefully we were treated with tea and biscuits by Kungyer (caretaker) and disclosed us the main religious items at his private resident. He told us the reason is because he doesn't feel safe to keep sacred thing inside temple which is also far from his house. Just seeing the sacred items I felt blessed. Indeed totally blessed. Can't express the feeling in words. Having finished the sacred watch we went to main temple and nearby surroundings to get ourselves a blessings. You'll find why it is called Thowadra when you look at Tang valley from there. The literal meaning of Thowadra is ‘high rock’ where you'll find huge rock as if dangling. Annually people of Tang comes together during Nyung-Nye, Kanjur and other religious ceremony celebrations. The place is not only a sacred because of Padmasambhava and Gelongma Pelmo. Many great lamas like Dorji Lingpa, Jigme Lingpa, Longchen Rabjam has connection here. Sorry I couldn't research more about the monastery and also the fact of Konyer without much historical information. The little information I got from friends and google.

Only time we were in one frame

While returning it didn't take more than 30 minutes till road point. With so much fun we decided to lunch at beautiful Tang valley. It was already 3:41 in the evening when we ate lunch.

Wow! What a wonderful journey. 

See you next time. 

"Listening Radio..."

On 20th of April my friends and I were interviewed by a reporter of Bhutan Broadcasting Service Radio for lhotsamkha programme. This reminded me of my childhood days, how I grew up listening to radio programme. 

Monk and Sanyasi from BBS Radio in the making of program

During my childhood days, radio used to be my friend. I can truly say that I grew up listening to the one and only national radio station in our country BBS radio.  Currently, we have few other entertaining private radio stations, which pleases me. They are Kuzoo FM, Radio Valley 99.9 FM & Yiga Radio 94.7 FM (although the latter two do not have overall coverage like BBS). When I was younger, radio was a very valuable part of our everyday lives. Because we did not have social networking unlike today. Let me share my fond memories with BBS Radio beginning during my early teenage years.

We never noticed when our mother would be awake in the morning but we definitely  knew once she tuned in the radio. And that's how wonderfully our day would begin, hearing Buddhist prayers and teachings given by eminent rinpoche's, masters, scholars & other important figures. She kept her radio ON throughout the day until she went to bed at night. Otherwise she might switch off only if she is concerned about radio getting overheat. One may have heard repetitive news broadcast and ads if you have happened to visit us those days. I developed some kind of attachment to radio broadcasts just like my mother! I loved listening to radio in all the languages they broadcasted during the scheduled times. Perhaps that could be the reason why I am good, at least I consider that I'm good, in Dzongkha, English and Lhotsamkha. Having said that, I would also love to boast that I know some other dialects too: local and international dialects. I've always loved listening to songs and I would sing along when they were played on the radio. Best of all, I really enjoyed live call-in shows because the chances of listening to super hit songs was very high.  Being a regular listener, I'd be the one hoping and even expecting people to select the songs that I enjoyed. When I was disappointed with their song selection I couldn’t help but badmouth the situation.

Those days new & hit songs would be played on radio while people who could afford tape would listen on the cassettes. Cassette tapes were used very often to listen to stories and comedies. A poor yet passionate listener like myself had to borrow tapes from friends. You would not believe how much some of us shed our tears listening to Rangdol and Yangden, local romantic stories. I will always remember the numerous times that I spent rewinding cassettes to listen over and over and over to my favourite songs. 

Later, Kuzoo FM even came up with a great idea of creating groups among interested callers. Regular callers would be the stars of the shows and known by all the regular listeners. I still remember those radio stars, some living far behind the snow flaked mountains, some in the deep valley and some in the deepest forest and enthusiastically they all connected themselves through Kuzoo family. Kuzoo family is a group of interested callers with unique  group’s name and  member’s having a nickname, they dedicate songs and pass message to each other through radio. People throughout Bhutan became like family through these radio groups.

It was a platform to share their personal problems. People were able to get help from others and benefit by sharing information within a large group of radio listeners. Social connections with radio was effective and efficient.  Although it wasn’t perfect it was very good for connecting people with solutions to people in difficult situations.

Unlike today, music producers and businesses had a tough time marketing their products when I was growing up since there were limited means of reaching the consumers. Radio was the most popular way to reach customers in every corner of the country.

My many past memories of listening to the radio come to my mind as I enjoy listening to radio today.

Dear Mother

I don't want to exaggerate and prolong what I feel at the moment.  Incompetent in expressing, I am having a difficulty on how should I go about thanking. All of us know the crucial role mothers play in bringing up her offspring. 

As a young kid, I loved her more than anything else, yes anything. It would be half asleep in her absence, delicious food wouldn't taste and even toy were use less. The moment I reach back home from school, first thing would be to check her presence. When I do not notice her presence, I would simply find a secret place and sob, than neighbours would notice to tell me where she has gone. As soon as I wake-up, I would give a thorough stare & make sure to see her. Nothing was equally important than mother! 

Though she & I are same mother and son, we do not share the same intensity of care. Lots of biological hormones and societal expectations regulates our relation. I cannot nap in your lap like I used to when things were not like what it is today. Chewing food in your mouth, putting into my mouth, making it easy for my digestion, maybe unhealthy according to modern health experts, but I was a healthy boy then.  Now I ain't managing even a time to chew food in my mouth. Mom, your illiterate and unprepared guidance indeed was authentic humanity's love. I miss that. 

Without mother's presence I've learned to adjust but I have always missed her lesson. Mama, world is cruel when I've to face it myself. I never thought it would be this tough. I am feeling every step you've taken as all parents does; your austere food is much delicious than a sumptuous food I am served today. Given a chance, I would choose to sleep in your arm for a minute in place of any luxury mattresses. 

Ama la, I love you very much. This is not a love that used to be when I was a kid. It's a matured love; a love that is refined after going through lots of hardship in life. I love you not because you're my biological mother, not even because I owe you but because I've a thousand other reasons. 

when it is time let me wish, I may not get this golden opportunity to thank mothers; mothers of my past, present and future.

'Happy Mothers Day' 

Kew Se Luma: shy guy on the screen

Jack of all trades, master of none. 

I do not have many good memories in my life. Maybe I was not best as well as worst in anything? I think so.  Because good stories are mostly a memories told and retold only if that's worth sharing. My childhood memories are not that interesting, both from good and bad point of view. As I disclosed earlier, average guys are not easily recognized and that is a fact which is undeniable per-sé. However, memories fades away in due course of time. My little interesting memories too lost during this path of unknown journey. I had to search my memories. That sounds funny right? But it is true, folks. 

I found my memories which was saved in my laptop. You won't believe me if I told you I have a Music Television (of course not professional). You won't believe me if I told you I acted myself. This sounds more of a bragging to myself but I ain't. With change in time memories captured in photo can now be availed in motion. Not new for our generation though. We are familiar with it. Aren't we? More crazy stuffs will come and help us store our memories in an advanced level with different experiences. Wonderful? Not necessarily.

For this video shoot I didn't practice. Frankly it was shot to learn editing those days when computers were gradually replacing manual task in our vicinity. It was fun to see oneself in the screen though. The director and producer as in film industry term, Mr. Jigme Rinzin upgraded himself from editing miscellaneous videos to more complicated and applaud deserving videos during the Award function. One such incident, in my own observation, was when this video was screened. During our time at Jakar school we used to see highlights of the year basically screening pictures. Some of us might feel lucky if our pictures are shown, with some quotes written over it.  The highlights would be kept in between the prizes. (That night, somehow, fortunately, I also received a prize for the ‘Best Speaker' in English Extempore Speech: my only literary participation throughout school days.  Sometimes, I wonder if that's a coincidence.)

The reaction from my friends were mixed but mostly they were shocked. I wasn't extrovert kind of a guy those days (now I consider myself) and seeing in the screen definitely was a surprise for my group friends too let alone teachers. 

Do watch my video here. Comments will be positively taken, whatsoever.

Jakar School-take a moment to reflect

Jakar has it's meaning deeply rooted in our history. Lam Ngagi Wangchuk, great-grand father of eminent bhutanese leader Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, one day he saw a white bird flying where the present Dzong stands overlooking Chamkhar valley. Taking it as a good omen he left the old site which was under construction, and started where bird has nested. The name ‘jakar’ literally means ‘white bird’ derived from the incident aforementioned. Jakar school takes its name from the nearby Jakar Dzong. On 25th September, 1961 the school was founded as a Government Secondary School. In 1983 it was upgraded to a Junior High School. In 1995 the Education Department further upgraded this school into a High School. In 2002 it was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School offering Arts and Commerce streams. Science was introduced in 2004. In 2014, the school was among the 19 schools to be granted the autonomous status. Since then many have passed from this school with excellent performance not only academically but also in their personal life. Some worked in best and prestigious position while some are still in the making. I feel proud to be part of this school and tell others that once I was a student there. 

Old academic block 

In 2008, I became a part of Jakar family. Majority of my friends were native Bumthap and I was one among few who belong to other districts. For the first few weeks I had a bumpy ride but I managed to adjust with Bumthap Doro’s. Though Bumthap’s language is completely different from my mother tongue, It was not new for me since I knew Khengkha which has a similarity. This gave me an advantage to adopt fast with their culture. I think knowing a language always carries plus point wherever one travels. Oftentimes I was teased for my Tshanglakha’s accent which couldn't completely get off me, even now. Despite all those ups and downs for three years, Jakar school always remains close in my heart. 

MPH at the back

It is human psychology that if you want to be known by others, either you should have done something best or either worst. It is more sad  to know that I am in neither of the category. Average students (like me) are not easily recognized and known in the school. I know some of them personally and some of them knows me personally for remaining average through out schooling days. Can that be foreshadowing our average life in the later part? Maybe or may not be. I can't assure. Because, for me, nothing is difficult than understanding life and to predict future based on current way of living, it still is not my cup of tea. After all destiny keeps on changing. But most interesting fact is everyone of us got to share our own story whether it is good or bad or whatever you may call. And I too have my memories which I'll cherished in a years to come in my life. 

Walking around the campus area alone with cell phone, taking pictures, I vividly remember my past days. I have tried to narrate some of my incidents below. 

Class XII block those days

When I was in tenth grade in 2008, I used to be quite a shy guy but not as shy as you may think after reading this. I chose to stay inside the classroom instead of mingling and going from classroom to classroom like some of my mates did.  Teachers who did not knew me personally perceived that I was a good guy but my subject teachers complained that I annoyed them often. And yet there were some staffs who knew me beyond classroom and they showered their parental kind of care (I still visit them). I mean they loved me for being me.  More over I used to wear an oval shaped spectacles similar to that of a great Mahatma Gandhi and therefore I was a target to get teasing. I had to change my spectacle frame the very next year. Not because I didn't like Gandhi but because I hated being teased.

way to boys hostel

Just in front of computer lab I have a fond memory of frog jumping right after the morning assembly. Almost 90% of us did frog jumping for misbehaving. I think, um, it was attitude problem with us. In the previous afternoon, we had a basketball match between two classes and all were mandated to witness. I was watching with my friends, of course the one I acquainted recently, when many of our seniors started jeering. Referee who happened to be a tough teacher, paused the match and scolded spectators in general. I was disheartened for getting scolding for the thing that I did not commit. Slowly many started vanishing from the event and I too followed them. The punishment was for not attending the match till the end. Remembering that incident, I laughed to myself. 

My final year at Jakar is most memorable to me. I think that year was also spiritually connected to me. It was that year when I got an opportunity to recite vajra mantra at Kharchu for ten days. His Holiness Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche visited Jakar school for the first time and blessed us. That was also a year when I performed a tape dance for the first time in my school life. The song is close to me. With well choreographed by my friend, Hinghi Meto became a must talked topic. I think we were received well even during Youth Festival held at Wangdichholing school. One of the reporters from Bhutan Broadcasting Service shot dance video but in a different song which never got released due to some issues. I even lost the copy of that video clip which they gave to us individually. It was shot in Bumthang at different sites. However I might be known for my another MTV which was screened during ‘Annual Awards Night 2010’. Some of you got me right? Sorry for the poor performance though. Initially it was shot to learn editing but somehow it went viral within school campus. I could have done better than that eh! Not now. 

New assembly ground & basketball court

Today the campus has changed drastically. There are many buildings. Our potato farm has turned into a library room but the old basketball court behind the academy block is still alive hosting unorganized futsal game. I could see lots of improvement in the school but nothing helped me bring my wonderful memories back. If there is one thing that didn't change, it is school uniform and my uniform: both are red.

Reference;

Www.jakarhss.edu.bt

Monk travelled; wrong journey, right lesson

I have travelled to three A categorised town but I'm going to narrate only Gelephu-Phuntsholing journey. I'm somehow obliged to share here this journey for I've gone through such adventurous. Some may call it unlucky day. Whatever you may call, I've been through hardship and this has never happened to me before.

Before I begin my narration, let me tell you that this is not intended to any people or organisations. Everything that I express is from my own point of view. It is a higgledy-piggledy diary.

I reached my home town, Gelephu, eight days before I cancelled my journey to Trongsa on 28th January 2019. Although it takes only half an hour from Trongsa to Bumthang, I was desiring much better transport service and also conscious about unseen risks especially vehicle related. I paid a sum of Nu.250/- for the ticket. It all started from my desire to explore self by travelling. One day before I cancelled my journey, a friend from Phuntsholing had sent me a voice message in Wechat. He has dropped me a message asking my route while returning Bumthang. Immediately I planned to go from Phuntsholing to Bumthang. So I insisted him to book a ticket and he did as per my insistence. I was told that he booked Phuntsholing to Mongar since there wasn't Phuntsholing to Bumthang bus. I felt happy since the bus would pass Phuntsholing-Thimphu-Wangdue-Trongsa-Bumthang before reaching Mongar. Gladly, I waited to go Phuntsholing on 29th and reach Bumthang directly.

On 29th morning, my mother woke up early as usual and also woke me. Since there was preaching by Sangay Ngenpa Rinpoche at Gelephu public ground, many people travelled by bus and attended the sacred teaching everyday. I too adjusted in that 6:30 a.m. bus & travelled with them till bus station where I luckily managed to get bus of 8:30 a.m. to Phuntsholing. I was one hour ahead of departure but patiently waited. The driver and other passenger have already got inside the bus when I noticed. Bus looked appealing but smaller in size than other buses I've seen. I didn't (and don't) know if it has any name but never bothered to ask anyone. I too went inside. Our bus driver ignited the engine. As is the trend nowadays, I too sent text to my close friends informing that I was moving. They wished me happy journey and I wished them happy stay. Unlike other buses, it was much more comfortable. Somehow my mind was uncomfortable with the bus but I did not took it seriously. I started doubting whether the bus would manage to reach our destiny because there was uncomfortable feeling. As expected bus stopped after traveling for about 1 hour from the station. I felt it to be a planned drive to sell tickets; in the first driver was talking to his friend about hand-break malfunction and later we saw the plastic of the roof rack was not tied tightly as it required proper arrangement just after about 35 minutes drive. Our bus driver who was dressed like a (Nepali) Kollywood villain slowly went outside with two hands put into his front jeans pocket. I heard people murmur outside bus about the broken spring while some were cursing that they shouldn't have booked the ticket. Few minutes later some passenger started taking their luggage from the rack and went into another bus which was parked behind ours. After that driver also confirmed rest of us to adjust in that bus till Shyamthaibhari and adjust in Samdrup Jongkhar bus after that. All except one remained to come in 10:00 a.m. bus. I haven't travelled in crowded Indian buses and trains but realised in that bus after travelling for one and half hour standing with assamese friends till Shyamthaibhari. We reached at exact junction where Bhutanese buses stops for the lunch at Hotel Druk and it was 11:40 a.m. by then. I ate rice with dhal because there were many passengers and the orders were not heard. I told waiters to give me any vegetarian curry. Everyone that I told nodded their head but never returned with my curry. Only I could hear was non veg items repeatedly announcing from table to table “shi-ken, phak-sha, pork, maa-sh-li, .......nga.....nga....shi-kan,.......”

Hotel Druk

The voice faded away and started again and again. I did not heard even a single person asking veg curry though a man in the counter was repeatedly telling to some of the pretty young girls, though only once, the list of veg items.

I doubted whether they were really vegetarian or were literally trying to draw attention but resorted to chicken curry after sitting in the last corner table without anybody's notice? Believe me I wasn't noticing them, it was what I heard and started to imagine when I did not get curry for myself. At least there should have been, “Sholo........ema-da-shi, mixed veg, alu sabji.......” and so on if there were vegetarian other than me. Any ways I paid a sum of Nu.50/- only and told him that I didn't get any veg curry. He felt sorry for me. If there's next time I'm going to taste Bhutanese curry from Indians kitchen. The moment I came outside from the hotel, another bus, I suppose from Samdrup Jongkhar or Nganglam  was also parked in front of hotel.

Bus that I travelled

Since I don't have mechanical background it is difficult to point out faulty machine but bus driver was waiting for the experienced local mechanics. Just next to it was another bus with punctured tyre until I went close enough and identified it was ours. Almost every bus I saw were not in good condition, if that's the right term to describe. After that some of the standing passengers from our bus were moved to other buses. We were few of us standing! After standing for almost 3 hours continuously, my legs started to ache, my shin too was giving me a different pain. I even felt sleepy. Still I had no choice but to stand and pretend with smile. Fake smile, isn't it? The bus stopped in one of the jungle area for us to go and do private things. I couldn't step properly after standing long hours. Few minutes later, second bus from Samdrup Jongkhar parked behind us and offered interested one's to move towards his bus. I enquired about the empty seat but he told me that there was a seat on engine box. What do I need more than this? I thought. I went and sat on the engine box along with one woman and her little son. It was relaxing moment for rest one hour journey till bus station. That's how I changed three bus in one journey.

Other bus 

Most interesting story is here. I went to my friend's house near Midpoint Hotel which is a few minutes drive only. He is Pema Dorji to whom we call Nalex, who was also responsible for booking a ticket and is a friend since college days. Though he never fails to pick-up me,  that afternoon due to unavoidable situation I had to use taxi. He greeted me and instantly handed a ticket because he has a habit of forgetting things quickly. I asked him, “North or south?” he looked at me quizzically and said, “What?” I read ticket and nodded myself. “What if the bus travel from Samdrup Jongkhar to Mongar?” The moment I said, I started to doubt too. Even he wasn't sure. He looked around and told his wife once more the same thing I told him. She responded that it would go from Bumthang to Mongar. Bus fare was Nu.575/- and departure time was 5:30 a.m. with thirty minutes reporting time before departing. I set an alarm and slept around 11:00 p.m. I even asked one of my friends, Jamyang Tashi Yangki, to woke me (by calling) as I couldn't trust my alarm.

At 4:14 a.m. Yangki called me. Upon reaching a bus station I could see only big buses not even a single coaster bus. I started to doubt that the bus ticket that I bought might travel from south, I mean Indian highways. So I enquired one of the passenger and got confirmation about the route I'll have to take with the ticket I'd in my hand. I smiled but couldn't laughed out loud in such situation. I looked at Nalex grinning. Then two of us tried to sell tickets but in vain. With tickets in my hand, I was helpless passenger for the first time. Isn't that silly? Of course it was silly. More than that it may sound foolish to some. But I've learned so many through this little journey. It gave me experience.

If there is purpose in this journey, it would be to narrate story with you all.