Sunday, January 18, 2015

What a weekend!!!

Well, it was my first trip out of town this weekend and what a time it was!!! Totally amazing scenery and to ally harrowing car ride. Sheer cliffs with narrow lanes and no guard rails and hairpin turn as well as switch backs!!
Anyway.. Friday was a whirlwind, but I made the tiniest splint for a 1 yr old with a cortical thumb. It took 4 tries and a lot of coaxing and distraction to get her to cooperate!!! But I got it is soooo cute and fit her well. I also wore a half Kira and that is their traditional dress. My motives were selfish as it is beautiful, it is also warm!! It was like wearing a blanket and I am not sure if I can go back to scrubs! :) I also tied it wrong and had to be put back together immediately!! I will learn to do it correctly before I leave…I swear! I also got my little boy to play ball with me and I let him climb up the window bars to get him to stretch out his elbow! We had a blast and he is now my friend! I am loving the little kids, something I don't get to do very often. I have just about completed the initial evaluation form for them and we will trial it this week.  So therapy friends, stay tuned!!
Now for fun! We started off at the "crazy sex monk " monastery!! I got blessed with a penis and fertility! What?! So funny! But, it says that people who want to get pregnant travel here to become fertile and it works. He was a womanizer and the more women he had sex with were enlightened and brought him closer to it. I know… monks can have sex? they also go on vacation and have smart phones … even take call while chanting in the temple!
The next day we went to Pooghibka Valley to see the Black Neck cranes. They are from Tibet and winter in Bhutan. They are gorgeous but difficult to get really close pictures if them! We also saw several monasteries and temples as well as got stuck at a road block. They are widening the roads… thank god! It really is frightening!  anyway, Punakha Valley and Pooghibka Valley was worth risking my life for!!! Here are a few pictures from the weekend! We had a great hike today to a temple and ate some amazing food!!! Can't wait for Monday!!!
 My tiny splint!!
 My pretty half Kira after it was re tied!!


Prayer flags… I am a little obsessed with them!
 This is at the entrance to the crazy sex monk monastery!! Penis' are everywhere here and it is no big deal to see them painted on buildings!
 Prayer wheels… I love them too!
 Entrance to a monastery in Punakha
 Overlook from a Monastery in Pooghibka Valley
 At the very top of the temple in which the first queen built, you can see the himalayas in the background! Below is the larger prayer wheels.
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10 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 18, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    Uhmmmm does this mean Chloe gets a sister? Your Kira fits you well!!!

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  2. JMJanuary 18, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    I look forward to your updates! Beautiful scenery, you are always bundled-what is the temp at night? Have you seen any ceremonial Buddha rituals-weddings, funerals, blessings at these monasteries? Keep the pics &updates coming. During each posting I tend to look up a few more details of the country.😊

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    1. UnknownJanuary 19, 2015 at 6:24 AM

      JM… you know I am always cold!!! It is about 40-50 during the day and drops to about 20 as soon as the sun goes down. It takes a bit to warm up, so I am bundled. The houses are not insulated and so it is chilly all the time. There is no central heat and our clinic has nothing but space heaters. When we splint and use the heat gun, we have to unplug the heaters and the patients are not happy..neither am I!!! I have not seen anything at any of the monasteries, just monks chanting. we also went to a nunnery but it was Sunday so they were out laughing and having a good time.
      Bhutan is AMAZING and you should consider visiting. It is beautiful and there are so many hikes and things to do. I am sad to leave this place.

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    2. JMJanuary 19, 2015 at 4:57 PM

      You should stay till mid Feb for the takin festival-maybe it will warm-up. Show pics of the natives & what do their homes look like? Any invitations for a cup of tea with a monk? Are there lots of stray dogs on your walks? Takins or other assorted animals seen in the hillsides? Keep blog'n, I look forward to your updates!

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    3. UnknownJanuary 23, 2015 at 2:15 AM

      JM! you have been doing some homework… the Takin festival is on Ghasa which takes about 6 hours to get to! I have not had tea with a monk, but did walk around with one . There a a ton of dogs, but not vicious.. yet. I have seen Yaks and a monkey, but hear this weekend we will see more. :)

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  3. UnknownJanuary 19, 2015 at 6:20 AM

    Pat!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! NO…
    thank you! everyone has been saying that! I am Bhutanese after all! :)

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  4. dread@mac.comJanuary 21, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    Oh my. You definitely have stories to share when you get back! Thanks for sharing all of your adventures. So glad you are enjoying your time. Miss you!

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    1. UnknownJanuary 23, 2015 at 2:15 AM

      I miss you too Dana!!! It has been pretty amazing!!

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  5. Jay BuckJanuary 29, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    So happy you are enjoying yourself. You are a beautiful person inside and out
    .
    But please stay away from the penis temple...lololol

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    1. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 5:53 AM

      Jamesy!!! Thank you! it is truly an amazing place here and I thank you for all your support!!!
      Don't worry! Staying far away!!!!

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