A daily activity in Thimphu

Mom and I headed to Bhutan for spring break, and since I just got done sorting through the 1,000+ photos I took in a week, I'm not quite up to writing fully about it. So I thought that you might enjoy a look at what is a daily activity for many people in Thimphu: walking around the National Memorial Chorten (at least three times). I'm not going to say the video is good, it's a bit rough as I was walking and trying to be unobtrusive, but I think it will give you a sense of why mom and I found this a relaxing yet intriguing location to get out and move. So much so that we visited every day we were in the capital.

If the video doesn't load you can see it here.

The National Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 to honor the third king and is the location where many locals will stop on their way to or from work and school in order to take a few rounds of walking and prayers. Some of the older men and women spend the majority of the day there, socializing between their prayers. Little kids jump and run, never straying far from their parents. The giant prayer wheels are constantly being spun, either by people walking around them or by someone who had decided to sit close by and ensure it continues to send prayers into the universe. For such a bustling and active location it is surprisingly peaceful. I can see why it is a daily practice to walk there for many people.

The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya

Last weekend mom and I went off to northeast India to discover the living root bridges for ourselves. A four day trip that may quite possibly be the highlight of my year. In the rainiest area of the world, you have some unique challenges - including how to cross rivers when any supplies you need must be carried in a bag, strap resting on your forehead, as you head down thousands of rock stairs. Needless to say, it is not an easy task. The locals have culitvated a tradition of guiding the roots of certain trees to form bridges; a task that can take several generations to accomplish, but which will last for centuries. This living architecture is what we went to see. In addition to hiking down slick, moss coated rock steps for hours amist the rain forest, an unusual experience for me in India, there were the bridges themselves to amaze me. Up to 95 feet long, each one seemed to have its own unique character. One village has even cultivated a doubledecker bridge. Another is the world's longest. This one, sees to sit in the middle of nowhere, but as we rest at the base we see 5-6 people crossing it on their commute to collect beetle nut or work their fields. The living root bridges really are a unique vision.

Check out this video if you want a bit more information.