Trip to Bhutan: Conference Day 2

Remember with every trip you take, you become just a little wiser.

Givin Speech

On the second day of Conference, we had a session of a noble person from Brahmakumari and Ritzel (from Switzerland). Both were a little bit boring and educating, I mean everyone has their own perspective, this is mine. Then Dr. Malhotra (GERA President) was awarded with Lifetime Achievement award, the biggest award anyone can achieve in their life followed by feedback session from every country representatives and in last there was a general body meeting of GERA members, as I was a partial member, so I thought it won’t look good to join it. So I escaped from there. 

Group Pic

Also I had to attend and enjoy with Bhampi and Photographer of our crew, so the three Musketeers started our journey towards Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), clicked dozens of pictures in and started ultimate trek towards the Museum, which came out to be a very hectic one. It is located on the hilltop. Actually previously it was a watch tower, so obviously it is located at huge height, slowly slowly we reached at the top by crossing lot of hurdles, plants and mountain. A surprise was waiting for us at the top. As soon as we reached at top, it was CLOSED, never the less as I always say, the journey to the top was more important than the Museum.

Playing Archery

Anyways we had a nice talk with the caretaker of Museum for like an hour and then we took rest over there for a while until we were told to move out of the area as it was dawning. We took pics there too and came down to meet rest of our crew, first we thought to have dinner, then we thought, that rest crew might not have had anything, so it’s better to ask them. So we moved towards guest house. When we met them, they were ready with bread jam and cake for us. We had our dinner and then cleared all the money accounts.

Admin Team

After this entire tiring journey, we thought that we should have sleep and get ready for the biggest adventure-Tigers Nest. So the lady department moved to their quarters and we also slipped in beds. After 5 minutes, none of us was feeling sleepy, so we again woke up and thought of having some more snacks and tea. We invited girls also, but they weren't ready to come out. That’s natural and was as expected; our photographer took the role of chef and prepared black tea as we didn't have milk. I must say, it was the scariest drink; I ever had in my life. It was so horrifying that I had stomach problems complete night.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Overall day was cool. One more crazy incident took place @ night, we had to book cab for Tigers Nest but we didn't had any Bhutanese Sim, so we started searching for people to get a mobile phone, so that we can make call (we were in another country, we didn't had local sim). There was a house in which few lights were lit, we knocked their doors in night to get a cell phone and booked our cab. It was a new thing that I had tried in my life, seriously we learn a lot from travelling.

Trip to Bhutan: Conference Day 1

Kutte

We reached Paro College of Education late night @ 1 A.M. and started looking for hostel/guest house to stay. It was a completely different place, there was a gate, but it was open and that too without a security guard, strange right. Adding to strangeness, there was no human being to assist/help us. Instead we were welcomed by Dogs, I mean many dogs. Bhutan has lots of dogs; some people call this beautiful place as Country of Thunder Dragon……..at that time I called it Kutto ka Desh (No disrespect).Somehow we got a person, took his mobile and contacted our Mentor. It was as if God has sent that person, else it would be very difficult for us to get a place to stay at that time.

Hashi Mam

We moved on to the hotel, where everyone was staying, and then there were confusions of different stays for boys and girls. Finally all of us were allowed to stay in hotel. My crew was getting fresh, hand wash, face wash, everything, but I was just looking for few hours’ sleep. I mean who the hell cares about hygiene after 3 days traveling without any sleep? The room was too good with a nice bed and I was so exhausted that I slept within a minute.

I woke up early in morning so that we can reach on time in the conference. While others were getting ready, Me and Taran Sir moved to Venue. I checked in to our guest house with the help of two pretty ladies. I was looking confused, so they even escorted me back to Conference hall, nice hosting team. Meantime, rest of my crew members came and all of us joined the Inaugural Ceremony. There were

Praying

delegates from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Singapore, and Thailand. The hall was completely made of wood, (Bhutan has lots of wood), and it was different from any conference hall that I have ever seen. The Bhutanese started the ceremony with lot of good things; they worshiped their God. They prayed to bestow us with goodness and success of the Conference. Then there was a meditation session included in Inauguration. I have attended lots of different types of Conference but this was the first which started with a divine spiritual practice of Meditation. This proves that Bhutan is really something, a place where peace lives, a place where greenery is religion, a fairy tale kind of place.

Conference

Night, me and Bhampi started the thing for what we actually visited Bhutan, i.e. to roam around here and there. We moved towards marked and were amazed to see that there was not even a single traffic light on roads; all vehicles were moving at a moderate speed, no one was in hurry. Then we spotted a one more new adventurous specialty of Bhutan-Archery. We thought of trying it, but the Bow itself was very heavy and then its string was so tight that it wasn't possible for us to stretch it. Still what’s the big deal in just taking pics with it; we had few clicks with it and continued our journey towards Market. Paro's marked at 8 O Clock is a free market; you won’t find too many people, it’s completely silent, shops will be open, but nothing of much interest. We can say even the markets are at peace in Paro. If you are looking to purchase some souvenir, purchase it from Tigers Nest or from Thimphu.

Trip to Bhutan: Dhai Ghante

Bhai Bhai

Remembering to remember is Mindfulness.

I was all set to catch my connecting train from Patna to NJP, but the scary- North East express train had new adventure waiting for me. Its a typical UP, Bihari train, its sleeper is like general coach with people falling here and there. I was welcomed by my friends in a confusing situation, they were happy to receive me on one and had sad situations of berth and Conference on the other. Our crew also had one less berth (thanks to Bhampi), somehow we managed to sleep for 2-3 hours. Since our train was running late, so it was difficult for us to clear border on time and in that case, we would reach the conference one day late. So we had a lot in our mind, one less berth, tension on loosing Conf in a heavy train with no water and charging points. All were tensed, but I was enjoying it, as to me Journey was important and not the destination. 

As Always, Style Me

From morning we started inquiring about the time to reach New Jalpaiguri. Whenever we asked anyone they used to say, its gonna take Dhai Ghante (2 and half hours) which almost took 5 hours to complete. When we completed the so called dhai ghante and reached NJP, we moved from there as soon as we can so that we may reach venue in time. Here comes the role of Military girl, as we were coming out of station, she caught 2 military personnel and started making Military arrangements for us to reach Jaigaon (Border station), she talked in such a strict way, as if she was their commanding Officer and ordering them to book a cab as soon as they can. We were again on the move. We still had a chance to make up to border and complete immigration formalities on time as their was an official letter sent for 6 of us by our mentor Hashi mam. On reaching Jaigaon we divided our team and started searching for forms and formalities to be completed.

Close UP

NOTE: Immigration forms are available on the side of the border gate (a gate with dragons) in a book 

shop, you have to fill the form, staple your photo (don’t stick), attach a photocopy of Govt. ID proof 

(Voter ID, Passport will work) and enter in Phuntsholing (border city on Bhutan’s side), go to 

immigration office, they will take down details and your photo. They will verify details from original 

cards and provide you the paper permit. Office closes at 4:30 P.M. 

As there was an official request placed for us, officials allowed us to complete formalities at 4:30 also. 

Again we divided our team, one team was looking for a cab from Phuntholing to Paro, another was getting money exchanged, and third was looking at the luggage. Although exchange is almost equal and not required, still I insists to use the local money wherever you are, it helps in markets and public services. We had our dinner in pure veg restaurant as we didn't had anything from a day, but that made us a little bit late to start and reach Paro in time. 

Gore Chehre pe kaala chashma

When we started the journey, Anna was sitting at front seat, but he was feeling sleepy so driver made him go back and obviously I had to take care of the front seat. Although, I also didn't slept much in last 2 days, but I was the only one. In addition to all of these, our driver wasn't experienced to drive in night, so he was also feeling sleepy after some time. 

Kya Kehne

It was a really scary situation, all in mood of sleep, we were driving in mountainous region, one side mountain, other side valley, and to spice all this, road was completely covered with clouds. We didn't had visibility of even 10 meters. Frankly speaking, I was scared to death at one point. Driver was able to cover the foggy track without feeling sleepy but as the night was moving on, he was feeling more and more sleepy, I kept on asking him some Qs about Bhutan, so that he doesn't feel sleepy. There was a time, when I was hell tired and exhausted of Qs, so I started asking him things that I already knew. Even I told him to stop at some place and take rest if he wishes to, else let me drive. That was a tough situation. 

In all such adverse situations, we reached Paro. 

Trip to Bhutan: Chennai to Patna

Me aur Meri Zulfe

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

In my previous blog-Kuzuzangbo La, I mentioned that Ill be visiting Paro, Bhutan for World Conferene of Gera, which is completed now. Ill describe the exquisite journey from Chennai to Paro in this blog. My journey was completed in 2 parts, first from Chennai to Patna and the from Patna to Paro, both were terrific.

A word of advise: If you beloong to sophisticated middle class family and you are travelling in a train which passes through U.P., Bihar, W.B. states of India, please travel in 3^rd AC Class least, else you may face some problems.

I started on a sunny morning (24^th June) from Chennai to Patna in a special train known as Patna Express, it was a typical bihari train. People travelling with lots of luggage, no idea about all the rules of IRCTC, with waiting tickets and with Children. Initially I had a RAC ticket and the person whom I was sharing my berth had no idea about RAC (fact that he has to share his berth) and on top of it, he was accompanied with a waiting ticket person. On the other hand of compartment, there was a family from WB with 2 kids.

Meri Zulfe Maanti Nahi

This is how it was, within some time, TTE (ticket checker) was able to confirm my seat and gave me a complete lower berth. As soon as I got it, I exchanged it with my favourite berth: Upper one. Finally I though, its time to take some rest, but I was gifted with 2 naughty kids from W.B., they were shouting all the time and their voice was like killing my ears all the time. I dropped the idea of sleep and started playing with them, they were awesome. They were brother and a sister, brother was elder and known Hindi, so it was easy conversation, on the other hand sis didn't know Hindi and was a shy personality.

After midnight, I was able to get some sleep. In morning, I had conversation with their parents and soon it went to the US President: Obama. Their parent had an indirect connection to him, funny but true and who cares. All of us were so involved in conversation that I started learning their language and they forced me to have Jhal-Muri (famous snack of Orrisa) with them. Overall it was a nice experience. Our train was running late and I was fearing that I may miss my connecting train from Patna, but it was also running late. Night I reached Bihar ki Rajdhani Patna. There were 2-3 trains running late which passes from Patna and due to that reason, station was so crowded so much crowded that there was no space to sit, 2 persons were even sitting on water tap.

Next half part i.e. from Patna to Paro in next phase.

Trip to Bhutan: A Tribute

Dear Readers,

If you are Happy, I am Happy.

This is the 3^rd Blog related to my visit to Bhutan. Please read the last 2 blogs to have an idea about my visit. This blog is dedicated to the 5 Pandavas, who made me feel like I was in heaven for 5 days.

I have been blessed over the years with many wonderful people in my life. This is my tribute to the Pandavas who, from the moment I met, had a positive and beautiful impact on my life. I would describe each character in detail later, but before that I would like to thank Pandavas for joining me. I look back now and remember a scene when 3 (Pahadi, Anna and me) of us were fighting that we should attend the conference or no, now I feel good that we attended it. There were many issues that were stopping us from joining, only one reason was enough to join and if Pahadi thinks little bit, she would understand that she was that reason. Then we got a bumper prize, when Maaji agreed. Four Musketeers were set for another cross country run. Then there were surprises when our photographer and Military jumped in. Now it was a complete family unit stuffed with all 3 colors of India. There was a time when our family had disturbances, irritations, frustrations or sometimes gets angry, but I think all the ups and downs are part of our lives. The good time just ran by like a wave of air and retaining the memories of the golden time spent together. I hope this much copy paste would have expressed my feelings. With this Blog, I wanna personally thank all of you for making the journey a memorable event. Love you.

Remembrance is a better compliment than love; people never expect tons of love, but only a milligram of remembrance. Keep Remembering each other.