Thimphu orientation

We have been in Thimphu for almost a week now, shopping, exploring, eating many new and strange foods, but a few highlights of the week have been meeting the Minster of Education and buying our kiras (women's long skirt),toego, (short jacket over the kira), and gho's for the men.

The Minster of Education greeted all sixteen of us in his office and delivered a very inspiring speech.  He has great hopes for the careful growth of education and the well-being of the people of Bhutan.  We are charged with helping English education in the schools and sharing the vision of GNH (Gross National Happiness) with our students.

Thimphu itself is a large busy city with many new places to explore.  The farmers market on Friday and Saturday is one of the best markets I've seen anywhere.  Charly (my husband) and about eight other teachers hiked up a mountain to a very large Buddha being built overlooking the city.   My knee was not cooperating with the hills yesterday so I did not hike all the way with them.  I need to do my daughter Caitlin's knee strenghtening exercises everyday because Mongar is not down in a valley but built on the side of a mountain, so there are very few times I won't be walking up or down a hill.

We are going to have a few lessons in  Dzongkha (the national language) tomorrow and the next day, but the language spoken in Mongar is Sharchopka.  It is amazing to me how many languages Bhutanese people know.  There are very few people in Thimphu who don't speak at least a little English and we have met many who speak English with great vocabulary and pronunciation.  They start lessons in English and Dzongkha at the same age as kindergartner's in the States.  So my former kindergartner's back at Siuslaw Elementary School would be learning to read and write in two other languages other than English.  Amazing!

I'm not exactly sure what I will be teaching in Mongar but I have looked at the curriculum guides for levels 1 through 6 in English.  The standards are very high and I look forward to sharing the strenghts and differences between students in Mongar and my old school in Florence, Oregon.  I am ready for the challenge
and opportunity to do something "totally different."

Charly and I are both very glad so far that we made this journey to a truly unique and interesting country.  I will probably not do another blog until we are settled and have started school in Mongar.  

Charly & I on footbridge near market 

Classic administrative building 

We're Here!

Charly and I were both grinning from ear to ear as we flew into the Paro Airport.  I've been to lots of airports around the world but flying into Bhutan is truly an awe inspiring experience.  After you view the Himalayas sticking up above the clouds, you suddenly dip and turn around many valleys until you suddenly come to into the Paro valley.  The airport itself is beautiful with traditional wooden trim and lots of traditional paintings.

The Bhutan Canada Foundation duo Meena and Karma were at the airport to greet us and whisk us through customs.  We have a very diverse group of people going through the orientation in Thimphu starting Mon. the 24th.  Though Charly and I are obviously the senior members of this group of eighteen, there is a great spirit of camaraderie already.  Everyone seems to be very happy to embark on this adventure.

 Charly and I at Paro Airport

Paro Airport 

This is day two in Paro and Charly and half the group decided to hike up to Tiger's Nest.  I unfortunately am getting the travelers stomach out of the way early and can't get too far away from the guest house.  I think I brushed my teeth in Bangkok with tape water.....I know better.  I am going with the crew to the National Museum this afternoon.  I will add more pictures soon but it is going to be a challenge to decide what to add as there is so many photographs in this country and I've only been here two days.

Bhutan here we come!

Life is crazy exciting right now (emphasis on the crazy), as we try to prepare and pack for our year in Bhutan.  I am very happy that we are so close to departure because it seems like an eternity since we've been getting ready for this adventure.  I have read many books on Bhutan, followed fellow teacher blogs, and think I have a pretty good idea about what to expect.  I am ready for a simpler, more compassionate, slower way of life.  I am also planning to increase my GNH (gross national happiness) index and hopefully my years of teaching experience will increase my students happiness also.

I will try to blog as often as possible from Mongar.  My former TAG students from Siuslaw Elem. School are very interested in an communicating with me and possibly with older students at Mongar Lower Secondary School.  I am hoping to set up an exchange through E-Pals, (a school to school blog).  Give me a few weeks to get there after the orientation in Thimpu which ends Feb. 2nd.  As a senior member of the BCF (Bhutan Canada Foundation) class of 2011, I'll bet Charly and I are just as excited about this opportunity as the young folk.

"On the Road Again....."  Cheers,   Julia