From Paro to Thimpu

After a morning of sightseeing in Paro...

The ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, originally build in 1649

The Paro Dzong from the outside

Inside the courtyard of the dzong.

... our group of 16 teachers set off for Thimpu (pronounced Timpu; the 'h' is silent). Our bags were piled and tied to the back of a hilux and the teachers went in the minibus. We drove for about an hour on a windy, spectacularly stunning road which followed the Paro River to where it meets the Thimpu River, at which point we turned left at the intersection. The road itself has just in the past couple of years been widened. Prior to this road construction, our one-hour trip could've taken up to seven or eight hours.

After settling into our room in the Hotel Dragon Roots, Sue and I ventured out in search of a plug adaptor. We had no luck but continued to walk, soaking in the first sights and sounds of early evening in Thimpu. We passed many Bhuddist craft stores, young Bhutanese men with gelled hair, small restaurants, fabric stores. Sue commented on the crowds, the litter. For me, everything felt perfect, manageable, unexplored.

Thimpu at night.

The intersection where Bhutan's first traffic light was installed before public outcry caused it to be taken down. Thimpu remains the only capital of a country without a traffic light.

Tomorrow is the first day of orientation. The first day of two weeks before some other teachers, Scott, and I head east to our various posts. It'll take us four days and three nights to get from Thimpu to Kanglung.

It's my third night in Bhutan. It feels like a lot longer.