Sweet, beautiful Power!

Well, such a lot has happened since we last spoke. (Even though technically I posted 3 days ago) I'll start with the most recent occurrence – the power came back on! For a whole hour! And Dawson's sleeping again and my head torch is securely back on. I think I'll be getting a permanent dent in my forehead before too long. If it's in the middle of my forehead maybe when I'm good, I'll be very, very good (Cue for people to say I'm already horrid when I'm bad). Fortunately, throughout the whole blackout, the raptor fences must have been kept on as we're all still alive with limbs correctly attached.

The other good thing that's happened, and fortunately is unlikely to stop, is that I have begun teaching. I have four classes – one year 8, both year 7s and the year 6 for English. This means I'll be teaching 33, out of 42 I think, periods a week which is more than any other teacher in the school. Go me! (I have since learned that I may not be teaching the year 6 class anymore).

I'm afraid my first assignment for each class was a little dull but it was just for me to diagnose grammar and writing ability. I got the students to tell me a bit about themselves and Bhutan. I learned several things from these essays. Firstly, it seems common for Bhutanese people, or at least Bhutanese students at this school, to refer to their country as 'Our Bhutan' which seems quite sweet. Second, the plural of 'takin' is 'takin.' I double checked that with a teacher as leaving the 's' off in plural words seems to be a common mistake of my students. Third, according to one student the population of Bhutan is seven thousand million people. I didn't even know that there were that many people on the planet! But my favourite bit of information came from a seventh grade student who informed me that 'Our Bhutan is like a cheese.' I'm not sure how this country is like a fermented dairy product or which one it is meant to be like (brie probably. A double brie from Tasmania that's been out of the fridge for the perfect amount of time and is just a little bit melty and utterly delicious) but apparently it is. I asked my neighbour and she thinks that the student meant that Bhutanese people like cheese and certainly most of them seem to. My favourite dish here so far is kewa datsi which translates as potato cheese. It is very similar and almost as wonderful as Gullam, or Mom's, scalloped potatoes.

Speaking of food, I've been experimenting and while I've found that reading The Graveyard Book while cooking noodles leads to squidgy, overcooked, blecchy noodles. I ate them anyway as I felt that it just wasn't smart to waste food and it was my fault. I now make sure that I use a timer if a book is involved. But one of my experiments which included apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar, water and a pressure cooker, while it didn't turn out like I originally wanted it to, made something very friendly and comforting. Basically, I wanted poached apples but, and I really should have expected this, I ended up with apple sauce which was absolutely delicious either by itself or on the french toast I was able to make since we got a shipment of bread. It was extremely decadent and I almost felt guilty eating it. I also discovered that a grilled cheese (dry-fried) sandwich with chillies and onion is wonderful. Sadly, I'm now out of bread so I'll have to experiment with other things but I am trying to eat chillies at every meal to make sure that I toughen up a bit heat-wise. It's slightly embarrassing to cough like mad when I have a tiny mouthful of food. And really annoying when it costs me a trip to see takin!

Yesterday (a few days actually, but never mind) we had an interesting visitor come to the school. We actually had a few visitors as it was school election day and to teach the students about Bhutan's voting system the students got to vote for their various captains with the actual voting machines that will be used in the national election in April which was quite impressive. Why don't Australian election officials show up at school captain elections and teach kids about the preferential voting system? Lazy! I found out that they don't vote in the primitive pencil and paper way that Australia does but they have little machines where you press a button with the candidate's photo and name next to it. The machine then lets you know that your vote has gone through by emitting a high pitched buzz. Every time someone votes. Every time. There were about 10 voting machines, one for each position, and lots of people who had to vote. I felt bad for the teachers who had to sit by the machines to make sure that the votes went through. They now know what the world sound like to Pete Townshend. But it was still fun to have the school election done in the national way.

The visitor who wasn't an election official was a monk. He was apparently the forty-somethingth reincarnation of a well-known lama. The most interesting thing I found about him was that he was no more than three. Many of the teachers and other staff members went to get blessed but I refrained as I am not a buddhist and didn't feel right about it. I found it very sweet how afterwards he seemed to delight in running round the school while his mother, or I think she was his mother, chased after him. I also don't think I've seen a monk in a baseball cap before.

I should probably say that, following a meeting last night and because we have some new teachers I am only teaching 24 periods a week. I can relax slightly! I do feel a bit guilty and sad because I won't be teaching year 6 but I am wondering if I can talk to the year 7 math teacher(s) and say that if they ever are feeling under the weather, and providing it doesn't clash, I'm happy to cover. I miss math! I love English but sometimes I just want to do some long division or add fractions with different denominators!

Ah well.

Hugs to All and I miss T'eo.

PS Don't watch Toy Story 3 without lots of psyching yourself up for it and making sure you have as many of your toys with you as physically possible. Tissues are difficult to get in Gasa. I miss Pooky, and Johnny, and Squirrel, and Molly, and Kirsten and I could keep going but I think it would irritate people so I'll just say I miss them all! 

Additional - It has occurred to me that some of you possibly don't know what T'eo, Eve and Padraig look like so I thought I'd remedy this.  Or you haven't seen them in a while.  Or you want to see them again because who wouldn't?

Beautiful T'eo probably wondering why there isn't more food

 WARNING     WARNING     WARNING     WARNING    WARNING    WARNING    WARNING

MOM SHOULD NOT READ ANY FURTHER THAN THIS!  IT IS NOT SAFE FOR MOMMY!!!

 WARNING     WARNING     WARNING     WARNING    WARNING    WARNING    WARNING

 

Eve trying to get through the flyscreen

Padraig trying to steer

Cuddles!  Padraig's the littler one and Eve's the one trying to read this caption.

 

Through the desert to the oasis

It's Eve's Birthday tomorrow! Will the power be on so I can skype her? (Turns out, no) I'm hoping that if it isn't, dad might call me so I can talk to her.

It is currently Sunday, February 24^th (obviously for those of you who are fortunate enough to know Eve) and tomorrow we all go back to work after the King's Birthday, Takin Festival and Sarah D's Birthday holiday. The weekend was glorious even though my friends tried to kill me (I am not as fit as they are!). Both Sarahs, Heather, Dave and Brick the Bukari God came up to Gasa and we somehow managed to all fit (Thank You Zam!) and they kindly brought warm weather with them.

The weekend consisted of a visit to the National Park office, which was empty but we still wandered round and saw some preserved takin footprints amongst other things. I was hoping that the park manager would be there for us to talk to but he was off with the other rangers playing football, as in soccer, with the teachers. Honestly, men and their sports!

It was a successful outing as essentials like cheese, oreos, beer and whisky were obtained. Sadly the beer and whisky strangely evaporated leaving only empty bottles behind.. My guests, led by Heather and Sarah S, cooked a feast of which Peggy and Susan would be proud and Sarah S treated us to an amazing story about Rasputin. I'm afraid my paraphrasing won't do it justice so you'll just have to ask her.

In the morning, after pancakes (I love you, Heather), we decided that a nice fifteen kilometre hike to the hot springs was a good idea. Yes, you read that right. I was hoping for a lift to come along quickly. Oh, how funny that sounds now. I am not a hiker. I know that. I've always known that. I'm generally okay walking on the flat but up an incline, even when I have adjusted to the the altitude, I'm rubbish. Actually that's a bit of an understatement. I'm the refuse at the bottom of a landfill that's so rotted away it would take six months of scientific testing to find out what it was in the first place when it comes to walking up slopes. I am determined to improve but maybe a fifteen kilometre hike as a starting off point wasn't wise. I did know this but naive, simple Arwen of yesterday morning really thought we'd get a lift. Seriously.

The positives of the walk, aside from the company of course, were firstly, the views. Breathtaking views. Views that would make a better person than I write symphonies and sonnets. Secondly, I knew that I would look back on this and laaaaaaaugh. After walking for about two hours with me having to stop quite frequently and all of us frequently thinking that we must be getting close, we came upon a nice little shop and asked the owner how far we were from the springs. Well, his reply did not fill me with enthusiasm for more walking. We were told that we were al least two and probably more like three hours away. I'm not sure any of us really felt like walking any more so this seemed like a nice place to stop and consider options. And eat some junk food purchased at the shop. Fortunately we had a gallant knight to save us in the form of Kinley, the shop owner who was also a taxi driver. So instead of two to three hours later only about half an hour later we arrived at the hot springs. Well, sort of. We arrived at the top of the hill you have to walk town to get to the hot springs. After only falling down once, we arrived at last! The water was wonderful. I didn't drink any as some other visitors did but enjoyed a very pleasant soak after killing my muscles all morning. I was also pleasantly surprised to see many of the the Bjishong teachers also taking advantage of the Saturday off.

Of course, walking down a hill to get to the hot springs meant that we had to walk back up the hill to get home (Gallant Kinley was making sure we got a lift all the way home). That hill was the most difficult thing of the entire day. I felt quite guilty making my party wait but there wasn't much I could do. I did make it to the top at last and home we rode, stopping only for more essentials like beer and potatoes.

The beer strangely evaporated again and again my guests showed their magnificent cooking skills. Interestingly enough, I don't actually drink beer and was wondering how I was going to explain nine 750mL bottles to the recycling collectors. Fortunately most of the teachers knew I had guests over so they didn't think that I suddenly got very thirsty.

Sadly, the visiting BCFers had to leave early to make sure that they got back to their respective schools for work tomorrow and the apartment felt quite empty after they had gone but they had left lovely gifts like apples and bananas!  Sadly I won't be able to share them with T'eo, who I still miss in case you were wondering, so I'll just have to send him, and all of you, hugs.  

Hugs!

Birthdays!

A cow just ran by me! Close enough to pet but I thought that might not be wise.

I wasn't planning on starting this entry that way but you've just got to go with what happens.

Speaking of which, still no power but it is a lovely sunny day with some snow still on the mountains but not here which, with no heater and limited bulkari skills I'm quite happy about. Let the Chinook blow!

Poor Dawson is in a coma, Hypatia's, Spoons can't function at all, Johnny's at less than twenty per cent, my camera, whose name I can't remember, sorry, is sleeping and my phone has one bar of battery left. Sigh.

n.b. Dawson is my laptop, Hypatia is a kindle, Spoons an external hard drive and Johnny is an ipod. It's not the students dropping like flies just my poor electricals.

Today is the 21^st of February which means it's Eve's birthday in four days, Sarah Diamond's birthday today (Happy Birthday Sarah, eh!), the Takin Festival today and also the fifth King's birthday. I didn't sing happy birthday but there were cultural dances, songs, a march, a skit which I didn't understand a word of but loved, a tug of war match and, of course, speeches. I didn't understand those either and didn't quite enjoy them as much as the skit because they didn't feature students dressed up as takins. I did take photos but sadly Johnny's not a good photographer and I don't know how they'll come out. I'll try and get a photo of me dancing in the final 'farewell' dance where I had no clue what I was doing but joined in anyway. Thank you to the student behind me who said helpful things like 'Turn, madam.'

Believe it or not, this was one of the better photos.  I don't know what this dance signified but it took quite some time.

With the power off, I've also been enjoying the company of some students who are enjoying my bulkari and my ukulele. I just hope they don't break any strings or it'll be a long wait for another. I've also been punishing them by playing and singing some songs for them. (They asked!) Before Dawson slipped into his coma, I copied down some songs so they've heard 'The Skye Boat Song,' 'Loch Lomond,' that one about wild mountain heather and part of 'Flower of Scotland.' Why all Scottish songs? Because A) they're relatively easy and I'm not very good and B) they were all together on Dawson and were easy to copy down one after the other. I almost got 'South Australia' but the battery had other thoughts. I will try and learn more chords so I don't just have to play the same songs. Not that there's anything wrong with them. I was also watching a lot of 'Hamish Macbeth' before the power went so that and being freezing was probably making me nostalgic.

Strange question, can anyone tell me if you're allowed to have crows as pets? There are tons round here and while their song is not that pretty I love them. They aren't as cheeky as magpies but they seem quite sweet. You know, in a noisy, little, black velociraptory kind of way.

Hugs to All!

Snow! A couple of weeks ago

This blog entry will be slightly irritating for me as I'm writing it the terribly old fashioned way of pen on paper. Why, you ask. Because I'm temporarily homeless in Thimphu. That's a slightly dramatic way of putting it but, as you know, I adore being dramatic. Really this whole situation came about because of a heater. You see, I'm a bit of a wimp and Karma, problem solver and guide extraordinaire, under-estimated my ability to feel the cold. I am really quite good at it. He said that I would be fine with just a bulkari. Also, he probably didn't know that my quarters have now been divided and the bulkari is unable now to heat my bedroom. Anyway, getting back to why I'm homeless. I decided on my first weekend off to be frivolous and buy a heater. Fortunately, the vice-pricipal had to go to Paro (where the airport is, as I'm sure you remember) which is near Thimphu and he kindly drove me so I wouldn't have to risk catching a taxi with a possibly reckless driver. The drive down was extremely beautiful. Not the best driving conditions as it was foggy, rainy and snowy but still very beautiful. Think Scotland without the adorable cows. Now remember that word 'snowy,' it will be coming up again.

Dochula looked a bit different last time.

 We made it to Thimphu and the heater along with other vital things like cookies and peanut butter were bought with the help of Sonam, another teacher (who interestingly enough had a slight accident since then involving a football and a wall but fortunately is fine now) and his wife. I had an extravagant dinner of grilled cheese and fries (bread is not common in Gasa) and then to bed after waking my long-suffering mother up at midnight Toronto, NSW time just to say hello. Oops.

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was that it was very noisy. A sensible person would have looked out the window to discover what the commotion was but there was a shower with hot running water and I was more interested in that. It wasn't until I walked outside that I realised what was going on. Thimphu was covered in snow! Naturally I had left my camera in Gasa and my ipod was dead so I had to run back upstairs for 20 minutes to charge it but here are some of the shots.

Just outside the hotel

 

I can't remember if its name was Bob or Beowulf

Clock Tower looking a bit cold

Funnily enough, many businesses stayed closed but the famous Ambient Cafe was open (which it isn't today. Grr. When I wrote this 'today' was the 18^th of February). Eventually it dawned on me that snowy roads are difficult to drive on. Sure enough, I got a call saying that we probably wouldn't be returning today which would mean missing out on at least one day of school. Ah well, better safe than sorry so I returned to the Ambient and met up with Matt, a university lecturer who lives in Trongsa, and made sure he knew proper snake bite first aid.

Aside – Can anyone tell me when was the last time I went a whole day without mentioning reptiles? Possibly not since before Jane, the World Champion Fourth Grade Teacher. Let me know if you have any ideas. I miss T'eo, by the way, and Padraig whose birthday was yesterday!

Back to it – At around four I had to run away from Matt as the vice-principal called and though I could only hear every other word I got the impression that we would be moving. I was right. Very slowly and carefully on the snowy road which got snowier and snowier until we reached a place called Dochula where everything stopped. Not in the 0 kelvin sense but in the 'Oh god, the road is blocked by snow and no vehicles can get past' sense. It was about 7pm (in the evening. I love my daddy) at this stage and the only thing for it was to head back to Thimphu.

Back down the mountain we went and fortunately the hotel and given my room, which I had already paid for, away. So after a brief meal of bananas (very sweet ones. Gibber would approve) it was time for sleep and hopefully no dreams about driving.

I woke up to a slushy, melty Thimphu and, even worse, it was Monday so the Ambient was closed. I had absolutely no idea what I should do as roads may still be closed and there were many stranded as I was. After some investigating it seemed that my options were to either pay for a triple room in a cheaper hotel or, for a little more, get a single room in a more expensive one but, of course, if we were Gasa bound neither would be necessary. So I gave up my room and merely wandered temporarily homeless in a city with no open cafes. Or none that I could find anyway.

(since starting this blog I've returned to Gasa so my tenses are confused and may change without warning. I could edit but that would spoil the fun for dad).  On both days there were also many youths who took great delight in throwing snowballs at the chillip (foreigner) and I often had both hands full so couldn't retaliate.  Like Laura, I probably shouldn't have snowball fights with students.  Or potential students.

But even in bad weathers the ATMs are still polite

Not the best photo but the young man in the foreground was one of the culprits.

Then 2 rays of happiness happened almost simultaneously.

1. Dawa called and said we'd be heading back to Gasa.
2. Zone was open and I ordered a cheeseburger.

Sadly this meant eating my burger in the car but I got a cheeseburger!

Dochula again but sunny and snowy this time

Luckily it was a drive fairly free of ice and snow and not completely free of monkeys (2 adorable ones! Again Gibber would approve). The only slightly scary bit was the road up to Gasa where the snow had obviously done some damage including, sadly, to the power lines. So I am writing now in Gasa where we have no power and for some reason the water keeps getting turned off. Perhaps Pa can come and dig me a well but only if he sends a candle down first.

Of course, by the time you read this, the power will have had to come on again but I wonder if the water will be permanently on. Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!

Hugs hugs!

I'm Back!

The next few posts will be the ones that I wrote while the internet/power was down.  But I should be able to post every day for the next few days.  Aren't you lucky!

The students have arrived! I think this means no more peace in the mountains. I'm right next to the girls' dormitory which I think means lots of late-night giggling. I'll be slightly disappointed if it doesn't. The school I'm at, as many of you may know, has students from PP to year 10. PP students are six years old and, yes, they board as well. I think I would have been the most irritating, miserable mess if my parents had sent me to board at six years old. They chose a different route which was to move me from Chernobyl affected Poland to the safest of all countries, Pakistan. Very responsible, my parents (I love my mommy and daddy).

Just before writing this I was sitting on my porch reading and being very amused by the younger students walking by. The older students would just say something like 'Good evening, madam.' but the younger ones would keep their distance and, while giggling, seem to dare each other to approach this strange, wild animal. Eventually, one would come up and either say hello or ask me my name or something and would giggle shyly no matter what I said. At one stage I really got a desire to jump on my chair and growl at them but I'm not sure they would have seen the funny side. I also could have spoken to them first but I was cruelly finding them too amusing.

Another thing I like is how I get called 'Miss Arwen' or 'Madam Arwen' as last names are not really used here. I prefer 'Miss' as 'Madam' just sounds too much like what an 80 year old, horrifically posh-accented lady called something like 'Maude' should be called. No offense to people who like being called 'Madam.' 'Madam' is also what my mom would call me if I was being an annoying, whiny little whatsit so I really would prefer 'Miss.' The men get called 'Sir' which means I have colleagues who will get called Sir Colin, Sir Jonathan, Sir Kyle and so on which I think is dreadfully unfair. They get to sound like a knight where I either sound like a dowager or an annoying little girl (this is where my brothers will say that I am an annoying little girl). And, yes, male teachers getting called Sir Whatever has led to hilarious misunderstandings.

I've also met my form class who are wonderful and I will do my best to not only learn their names but also pronounce them properly. They've already been introduced to Eve and Padráig and they reacted very favourably so I think it will be a good year. They haven't seen T'eo yet but given this is the land of the Thunder Dragon I can only see them adoring him as he should be adored. Have I mentioned that I miss T'eo yet?

Now earlier this afternoon I managed to post two old entries that I hadn't been able to post earlier because of internet issues. I was planning on giving you a huge treat of three posts in one day but, luckily for you, the power is off and I can think of no better use of Dawson's battery power than writing a blog post.

Don't forget Padráig's birthday on the 17^th of February and Eve's on the 25^th. I doubt mom will give them a birthday cuddle.

Hugs to All!

This is  double post again.  I think I've finally got the hang of the internet up here

It's my first full day in Gasa! Luckily Heather was here overnight to help set up. If she hadn't been I'd probably have starved to death. I'd definitely have died of thirst. I think keeping a supply of fresh water might just be one of my biggest projects for the year. So I'll just pretend I'm Susan in Peter Duck. I'm also pretending I'm in Winter Holiday because my bukari (wood burning stove) has a few leaks in it so smoke is enjoying escaping into my room and my eyes are smarting but that just makes it more authentic. I was also more like the Ds than the Swallows and Amazons when it came to lighting it.

After seeing Heather off to Punakha I got a few visitors. I heard them moving around outside so I went to see what was up. I was slightly impolite because I didn't invite them in but I wasn't sure that their feet were clean.

I've met the VP and some other staff members who have been so kind and have again made sure that I won't starve. I feel slightly guilty because I'm being slightly anti-social because I'm pretty sure I'm getting a cold so my next entry may be laryngitis-y. I have no idea when this will be posted as I'm having slight internet problems but I was half expecting that and it just means there'll be more xkcds to catch up on.

The most important news of the day I've saved for last. I saw my first Bhutanese reptile! Okay, it was a garden skink just like the ones we get in Australia and not a gharial or anything but it was still the first reptile I've seen since leaving Australia! I miss T'eo. I'm hoping my BCF colleagues will help me out with a pet project of trying to start cataloging the Bhutanese reptiles, amphibians and various cool invertebrates. I'm not sure I've asked them all yet but who wouldn't want to take pictures of adorable geckos and things? And T'eo would like to see pictures of his subjects.

Hugs Hugs 

Second Entry

I'm writing this latest blog entry, still in open office, sitting by my bukari singing various songs loudly knowing that I won't be disturbing anyone as the only other people staying here are on the other side of the campus. I've made my way through bits of The Messiah, Orfeo, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, a bunch I learned from Jenny Barnes (singing teacher), various G and S tunes and some S and G tunes as well. Aren't you glad you're not here for once?

Hopefully I should actually be able to post soon as, though the internet is functioning, nobody I've talked to can remember the password. I also can't access the net inside my quarters so I'll just have to blog while sitting on my porch/veranda thing enjoying the view of the Himalayas around me. Sigh.

So my bukari is lit, but not by me. Some Bhutanese Susans (see Winter Holiday. Now) came and helped me. Bhutanese Susans do things differently to English Susans as they use kerosene as an acceptable lighting aid. No, I won't be posting pictures of me with no eyebrows, should that occur, unless you are very nice and promise not to laugh. I'm really not planning on that happening so don't get your hopes up.

I've also found my local store. It doesn't sell cornettos so I'll have to find them elsewhere come the zombie apocalypse, but it is quite small and cute. Emphasis on small. I think it's about the same size as my bedroom in Canberra. I realise that won't mean much to many of you, just like some of the references I keep making, so just imagine the size of a fifteen year old girl's bedroom and then imagine that being turned into a corner store.

Another thing I've been doing that will probably annoy my neighbours when they arrive is practising my ukulele. I've mostly got Yellow Submarine down and I'm even practising Waltzing Matilda as it may be the only Australian Folk song I kind of know. I think the rosebush out the front of my place doesn't appreciate my playing as it unkindly speared me in the finger making it hurt when I play. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with the Cabra Ukulele Group so I can rejoin when I get back.

Hugs hugs

p.s. Though they will also have an alternative Bhutanese name, the yak is Randall after my 1^st and 2^nd grade principal, the serpent is Esther, which is my 4^th grade teacher's real first name (sorry Jane but I already have a turtle with your preferred name) and the tortoise is named Laura after Laura Ingalls Wilder even though I want to be a teacher and she didn't.

Quick post

Yesterday we left Thimphu and headed off into the wild, green yonder.  I was one of the few, actually one of the two, I think, who actually got to see their placements/accommodation.  Most people had a civilised 3 hour journey to Punakha.  Andrea, Senge and I with the greatest driver in Bhutan, set off for Kabesa and then to my Bjishong school.  Senge and I were very kind and did not sing all the way.  I was very kind and made sure I took my travacalm at least an hour before leaving.  The Kabesa school is beautiful and shiny and new.  Senge was told by the principal that his house (which isn't quite finished yet) is 1.8 metres from the school.  Not quite right.  There should be a 'ki' and a 'lo' added somewhere in that statement. 
After a long, windy, unsealed and absolutely stunning drive we reached the Gasa and the Bjishong school.  It is so amazingly gorgeous up there!!!!  And my quarters are much bigger and more luxurious than I was expecting.  I even get a bed!  I thought I was just going to put my mattress on the floor.  The only minor, tiny problem is, speaking of mattresses, I don't know where mine is.  Or my stove.  Apparently they were hidden for safety in a very sensible and secure place.  I just have no idea where that is.  I couldn't stay in Gasa last night as I couldn't cook, didn't have a mattress and mu wood stove's chimney wasn't attached so I would have starved, froze and got a bad back if I had stayed but neither Senge or I were planning on staying at our homes as we don't need to be there for a little while and nobody would really be at our schools.  Hopefully I'll return tomorrow though, as some BCF teachers want to see Gasa before first semester starts and since there are no hotels in Gasa at the moment, my quarters will act as one for now.
If we do go up tomorrow it will mean that I probably won't have internet for about a week so many hugs to all, fair winds to the sailors and I miss T'eo.