Today is Wednesday, March 25, & we are now back in Kolkata where we have some time to regroup before very long flights home. I will arrive at O’Hare on Thursday at 6 pm after flying from Kolkata to Mumbai to London to O’Hare. I refuse to calculate the travel time, but instead will use the serenity I have learned from the Bhutanese to make it all agreeable. The trip has been amazing even with its challenges. But most importantly, much was learned primarily in Bhutan. In Bhutan, happiness is not a fleeting concept but is woven into the fabric of their everyday life. It is a joy to behold, & a lesson for each of us. Live life to its fullest joyfully everyday, because time is so fleeting.
Now for some last pictures.
Visited the Takin Preserve where we saw a variety of animals from Bhutan. This one is the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin. Not a very attractive animal, & is often called a cross between a gnu & a goat.Visited what we would call a trade school where young people who are not university material learn a trade in order to carry on the culture of Bhutan. The school provides education in textiles, carving, painting, sculpture, gold smithing, calligraphy, etc.The Four Harmonies: Elephant, Monkey, Rabbit, Bird. They each have to live together peacefully in order to enjoy the fruits of the tree. Represents cooperation, peacefulness & respect of elders. Which would one think to be the eldest of these 4 animals?The Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in memory of Bhutan’s 3rd King, the founder of modern Bhutan. This stupa is unlike other stupas as it does not contain human remains.This is taken on the grounds of the Memorial Chorten. Elderly folks from the mountain regions have moved into Thimphu to live with their children. They are dropped off here when their children go to work, spend the day praying, visiting & eating their boxed lunches. At the end of the day, their children pick them up; an adult daycare. Here two women are sitting turning the prayer wheel while the gentleman is circumnavigating the grounds praying his rosary.This gentleman is carrying his mini prayer wheel as he walks the grounds of the memorial. The goal is to walk around the Memorial 108 times. He was “moving”, so I am sure he attained that goal. The number 108 is a sacred number in Buddhism because it represents the 108 imperfections that must be overcome to realize enlightenment.Using the prayer wheel provides good karma. Not sure standing in front of them does the trick, but hopefully, with our exposure to all of these rituals we, too, will realize enlightenment.Entertained before dinner with 9 different dances telling us the stories of local life & lore.Our illustrious tour leader, Anne, from Scotland.Last night in Thimpu, we donned the native costume called the Kira. Lots of fabric wrapped around to make a shirt & tied with an attached belt. Beautiful matching jackets. Wore these for the evening of entertainment & dinner.Kuenga Rinchen: Chose to become a monk at the age of 8 under his own volition. He is now 32, & on his way back to Vietnam after visiting his family in Bhutan. He has been studying in Vietnam, & returning for additional schooling. After leaving Vietnam, he will return to Bhutan to do his three years of mediation before becoming a full fledged monk. Often times families send their sons to become monks because they are incorrigible. The same can happen with the girls. In Bhutan there are 12,000 monks & 4,000 female nuns (monks). The female monks must shave their heads, so sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between monks & nuns.Snack bag on Bhutan Airlines featuring the National Flag of Bhutan.Saying goodbye to Bhutan, & our last look at the valley of Paro.Joan took this from her window seat as we were flying from Paro to Kolkata. We think it’s Mt Everest. Certainly is beautiful.
Another adventure coming to a close. The world is a beautiful place, just need to enjoy it. Back to Asia in September when it is on to South Korea & Japan. Have to do these difficult long haul trips while I can.
Traveling with Judy 
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