Reason why I am here...

The weekend was amazing and we will get to that but TODAY… the whole reason why I came here was made clear to me. I have wondering if I have been making any impact and if I am truly helping them out. Today, the 3 of us (my co workers) sat down and reviewed the protocols I have written and the evaluation form and was told that I did exactly what they needed. It was not fancy and so over the top it was simple and practical and pertained to what they needed and what THEY would be able to carry through when I am gone. Then I was told that the other volunteer from Australia, while very amazing and helpful brings along a surgeon and fancy equipment and when she is gone, there is no use. I brought nothing fancy, just things I observed that I felt they needed. Number one, big sigh of relief and number two, the question of whether or not I am helping was made clear to me without even asking. Truly an amazing feeling and just affirmation that I am here for a reason and it is being fulfilled. Also, the hospital has a new president and wants procedure protocols and I have just written 10 protocols for them… perfect timing and done! As always though, the patient care is priority and I LOVE these patients and they work really hard and they are getting better.
So, on a lighter note. The weekend was filled with the vegetable market and an amazing hike to Tendin Lhakhang which is a monastery very sacred here in Bhutan and straight up the mountain. As everything is here…you walk uphill and occasionally down but then up again!! Not kidding…even the locals agree. Anyway, I crawled into a cave with very small opening to rid myself of attrition to get me closer to nirvana and climbed a cliff and walked around  rock to do it again. Anyone who knows mw well, knows I am a total klutz and I was fearing for my life climbing!!! There were several meditation caves that we visited as well as temples. It was very unexpected and completely amazing. Words can not describe the feeling you get visiting theses places that are sacred and clinging on the edge of a mountain. The feeling is serenity is unbelievable and it has been so amazing being here and experiencing all of it.

 Scenes from the market

 Some of the temple rooms and meditation caves, you can reserve one for months or years…

 The cave I crawled in and out of !!! I was terrified I would get stuck!!!

 Our monk guide! Who assured me I would not..

 My hiking buddies!!!

 Another of my hiking buddies!

The cliff rock!