Yesterday we arrived in beautiful Bhutan, and we were excited to find ourselves arriving on the first annual International Day of Happiness! Bhutan started pursuing Gross National Happiness in 1972 as a measure of national health and quality of life (similar to GDP but also very different), and the international community has started to pursue this measure, which led to the International Day of Happiness.
As a result, people were in the streets all day celebrating, and enjoying music, archery tournaments, soccer and the company of friends. We spent the day walking around and enjoying the celebration with two of our excellent hosts here, as well shopping for the national dress which we will wear today to the government offices and any temples we visit for the rest of the trip.
The national dress consists of a "Gho" for the man and a "Kira" for the woman. Both involve layers of beautifully woven textiles from Bhutan, and a scarf (rachu for women and kabney for men) for traditional occasions. We spent much of the day searching for a "Gho" for Willie because they did not have any long enough for him. At the fourth shop as we dug through all of the options with lots of help we found a XXL Gho that suited him perfectly. After the shopping we spent the rest of the evening eating delicious food, and catching up with our friend we met in Madison last year.
Our day also involved an amazing flight along the Himalayas and we were able to see Mount Everest. It was a surreal experience, I don't think either of us could stop looking the whole trip, until it vanished into the distance.
The flight was amazing, and the landing did not disappoint. It was truly the most unreal landing we have ever experienced. You can check it out on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlKApjc9T2U or search Paro, Bhutan landing, but nothing prepared us for what it is like to see the ground a mere couple hundred feet from the wing as you are banking into the landing through the valley. As you come into the runway you are turning until the last second and then the amazing pilots have mastered leveling out the plane just as you touch down.
Today we will continue our time in the Capital of Thimphu and then tomorrow we will journey out to the east side of the country to check out the parks in Bumthang.
We may not be able to update our blog for a few days, but we hope all is well you!
Willie and Katie
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| Willie getting fitted for a "Gho" |
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| It took a team to dress Willie |
Our day also involved an amazing flight along the Himalayas and we were able to see Mount Everest. It was a surreal experience, I don't think either of us could stop looking the whole trip, until it vanished into the distance.
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| Mount Everest and the high peaks of the Himalayas |
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| Arriving at Paro International Airport |
We may not be able to update our blog for a few days, but we hope all is well you!
Willie and Katie
I'm so glad you made it to Bhutan AOK. How awesome that you arrived on the first International Day of Happiness! Love it! I can't wait to read more about your adventures and how the "gho" works out for Willie.
ReplyDeletePeace and joy,
SKA