Break
It doesn't quite feel like a break since I still have hours of marking exams and portfolios and figuring out report card grades left to do, but school will be closed for two weeks. Two glorious weeks that, I'm sure, will go by in a flash. I've been in a zombie state lately, spending whole work days either proctoring a test or marking. I get home and can barely lift a red pen.
But today - today we get to escape! After a half day of school, Scott and I will pack our bags and head to Trashigang, meet up with some other teachers and a few Bhutanese who we've never met, buy provisions, have a meal, and spend the night. The next morning, we'll taxi to Radi and our adventure will begin.
We're going on a 5-6 day trekking trip to the remote villages of Merack and Sakteng, an area that's only recently been opened to tourism in the past year and a half. There will be eight of us western teachers and, supposedly, three Bhutanese who work in the District Education Office of the dzong. Scott and I don't know any details of the trip, but that's how it tends to be in this country. Things somehow have a way of working out though.
Maybe I'll have to carry my own pack. Or maybe we'll have pack horses. Maybe we'll sleep in a tent every night. Or maybe we'll sleep on the floors of people's houses or community schools along the way. Maybe we'll cook our own dinner every night over a camp stove. Or maybe we'll eat with local families and have ara (locally brewed alcohol) forced down our throats, or maybe school staff will cook us elaborate Bhutanese meals with lots and lots of chilies. One just never knows in Bhutan.
It'll be an adventure and, most likely, fun. Although if the monsoon season really kicks in as it's given the hint of doing the past few days (last week was hot and sunny), it may be muddy and wet. And there may be leeches - big, blood-sucking land leeches.
I'll post details of the trip when we get back.
But today - today we get to escape! After a half day of school, Scott and I will pack our bags and head to Trashigang, meet up with some other teachers and a few Bhutanese who we've never met, buy provisions, have a meal, and spend the night. The next morning, we'll taxi to Radi and our adventure will begin.
We're going on a 5-6 day trekking trip to the remote villages of Merack and Sakteng, an area that's only recently been opened to tourism in the past year and a half. There will be eight of us western teachers and, supposedly, three Bhutanese who work in the District Education Office of the dzong. Scott and I don't know any details of the trip, but that's how it tends to be in this country. Things somehow have a way of working out though.
Maybe I'll have to carry my own pack. Or maybe we'll have pack horses. Maybe we'll sleep in a tent every night. Or maybe we'll sleep on the floors of people's houses or community schools along the way. Maybe we'll cook our own dinner every night over a camp stove. Or maybe we'll eat with local families and have ara (locally brewed alcohol) forced down our throats, or maybe school staff will cook us elaborate Bhutanese meals with lots and lots of chilies. One just never knows in Bhutan.
It'll be an adventure and, most likely, fun. Although if the monsoon season really kicks in as it's given the hint of doing the past few days (last week was hot and sunny), it may be muddy and wet. And there may be leeches - big, blood-sucking land leeches.
I'll post details of the trip when we get back.
posted by Siapiau | 7:37 AM
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