Reflections by Joanne

My journey was not without any bright sunny days. I met many beautiful people that spell genuine greetings; I've seen the purity and innocence of their children's eyes. I've learned to dine in their simple ways with humble offerings that they selflessly shared with me. Most of all, I have learned the wisdom to honor every word that one says as their way of life.

As someone I met on the road mentioned while touring the monastery, the teachings of Buddha, "Death is an inevitable fact of life; life is merely an interlude and there is no final death if we take the view that all forms of life is an unending continuum". Who knows what life after death? Death as we know it may merely be a transition. So what is there to lament? There is everything to celebrate life when lived with little regret but much joy and wisdom.

Already, I feel an obvious gap between me and the Bhutanese, who have been able to translate their life simple teaching into successful education and their way of conducting businesses. The car pulled over at the airport in Paro where I first arrived some ten days ago, while most of the other trekkers were unloading and picking up their gears, my eyes was fixed at Pema and the driver, assisting us by the curb. Our eyes met and all of a sudden, amidst all cultural and language barriers, we are but Asians sharing the same appreciation and gratitude. I uttered nothing but simply "kadin-chey-la" - thank you in their own language, for those dampened days in the mountains.

My heart felt gratitude also goes to Uygen who attentively looked after us, his kindest gesture and engaging conversations. Sonam, whose hospitality knows no bounds and generosity in entertaining us every night. For Pema whose sincerity shines throughout, well temperament he has shown and taught me at least when being confronted with ugly trekker demanding answers.

Most of all for the dedication of Sonam and his associates that personally rushed me to the hospital for an X-ray of my left wrist, which everyone thought, was a hairline fracture. For all these, it's worth every ruptured veins and capillaries on my wrist.


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*KINGDOM OF BHUTAN - LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON*
Searching for a reason \| An Unconquered Land \| The Spiritual Nation \| A Rich Culture \| Natural Paradise \| National Pride \| The Journey \| Trek Days \| Finale \| Last Words
	Last Words My journey was not without any bright sunny days. I met many beautiful people that spell genuine greetings; I've seen the purity and innocence of their children's eyes. I've learned to dine in their simple ways with humble offerings that they selflessly shared with me. Most of all, I have learned the wisdom to honor every word that one says as their way of life. As someone I met on the road mentioned while touring the monastery, the teachings of Buddha, "Death is an inevitable fact of life; life is merely an interlude and there is no final death if we take the view that all forms of life is an unending continuum". Who knows what life after death? Death as we know it may merely be a transition. So what is there to lament? There is everything to celebrate life when lived with little regret but much joy and wisdom. Already, I feel an obvious gap between me and the Bhutanese, who have been able to translate their life simple teaching into successful education and their way of conducting businesses. The car pulled over at the airport in Paro where I first arrived some ten days ago, while most of the other trekkers were unloading and picking up their gears, my eyes was fixed at Pema and the driver, assisting us by the curb. Our eyes met and all of a sudden, amidst all cultural and language barriers, we are but Asians sharing the same appreciation and gratitude. I uttered nothing but simply "kadin-chey-la" - thank you in their own language, for those dampened days in the mountains. My heart felt gratitude also goes to Uygen who attentively looked after us, his kindest gesture and engaging conversations. Sonam, whose hospitality knows no bounds and generosity in entertaining us every night. For Pema whose sincerity shines throughout, well temperament he has shown and taught me at least when being confronted with ugly trekker demanding answers. Most of all for the dedication of Sonam and his associates that personally rushed me to the hospital for an X-ray of my left wrist, which everyone thought, was a hairline fracture. For all these, it's worth every ruptured veins and capillaries on my wrist.

Last Words