Saturday, June 27, 2015

Pictures

Nothing like taking a break from grading midterm papers in order to post some much overdue pictures. These span the past month or so, although most of them are from the last two weekends. 

Fun teaching tidbit for the day: The first thing that my students were asked to do on their midterm was write a "Once upon a time" story no more than 150 words. One student wrote a story about a grandma who found a little tree at the market and bought it. That tree's name was Ass. Grandma loved Ass very much.... 



I'll never tell you which one, but one of these beautiful girls has a grandma that loves Ass.


A lot of lucky things have happened to me since being here. I don't know which one I can attribute to this gem but I am grateful for them all. 


The rainy season does have it's perks. Like sitting on my balcony watching a storm to see it end like this. 


Unfortunately, as reading Game of Thrones has taught me: "Words are wind". 


Teachers day celebration. 


Sports day opening ceremony. 


Man down! 


Not a bad view again. 


Who get's lonely when you have roommates? 


This is the beginning of our school's attempt to clear the forest and start a hazelnut plantation. Students were given picks and shovels and told to clear the area. 


Last picture of my view :) 


Last Sunday a group of teachers and I traveled about 3 hours to the consecration of this house newly finished for a Lama going into solitude for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days. We made offerings, got blessings, ate lunch, and as seen above, did some traditional dancing. 


After lunch, we embarked on a 2 hour hike up to a monastery perched on the side of a cliff. 


The clouds make it hard to see, but these are the steps leading into the monastery.


View of the valley halfway back down. 


Group pic. 


I was told that this rock has been here since the 8th century. Naturally no one actually knew the meaning of it. 


More dancing. 


Angay (grandma) and BooBoo, my friend Kinga'a mother and daughter. 

Friday was a national holiday so we journeyed into the Phobjikha valley. 


I had the rare and very fortunate opportunity to take pictures inside the Dzong (monastery). The jokers/clowns you see here actually asked me to take their picture. Normally no pictures are allowed inside.  


Prayer ritual from above. 



"Ok everyone now cheese" 


Photobombed by the jokers. 


In front of the Gamtey Dzong. 


Lunch! Rice, radishes, chilies, mushrooms, chilies, and cans of ice tea. The dogs know what's up. 


Well this is one way to break in new shoes. I guess that's why I got black right? 


I really thought we were both going for the "hands in the air like we just don't care" pose. I'm usually left hanging when I try to do spur-of-the-moment things like this. 


Wandering amongst the prayer flags.