Another beautiful day!

After what seemed like ages, we finally set out on our field trip to Yul Pemachen on a TRUCK yesterday.

 Yul Pemachen is in Shongphu Gewog and is associated to the legendary Khandro Drowa Zangmo. The village is beautifully set on the lap of mother nature..so very beautiful and pristine...away from the noise of the trashigang town. Apart from the beauty of mother nature, what touched me the most was the generosity the local people showed. They welcomed a large group of noisy students, who were total strangers into their homes and lhakhangs.
The people were not really well off. The things they owned showed that they did not live luxurious lives but what was amazing is that they shared whatever little they had with us. Sharing tea and hand-beaten "siip" (maize flakes that is consumed as snacks with tea)... they welcomed us with open hearts and beautiful, big smiles. We couldn't help but to admire these kind souls.

And, oh! did I tell you about the 13th century religious texts we had the good fortune of looking and touching? There is this small thromang lhakhang perched on a hill top,some 45 minutes walk off the road and into the woods. It houses the texts, aum Jomo (the guardian deity), saved and brought with her when escaping from Tibet. It is said that she brought it into Bhutan, sewn and packed, on the backs of the sheeps and goats. After they reached thromang, aum Jomo is said to have thrown all of the texts into the air with the prayer that they land at their destined places. The legend has it that the texts stayed in the air for a week before they landed just above the lhakhang. 

Geshe Tashi Dhendup, the abbot of Thromang Lhakhang was kind enough to open one of the texts for us. Imagine holding a 13th century object in your hands. The feeling cannot be described. It was just beautiful. We were amazed, so amazed that we let our fingers run across the ancient texts and oh! we even smelt it. "smelling history" you see? Later, we lunched and danced with the locals. We said our goodbyes to the beautiful place and the people there. 
And, we climbed onto the truck again. Such a dangerous thing to be climbing in and out that most times I did not dare climb out of it. The roads were very bumpy because it was a feeder road and so, we were tossed into the air. I guess we looked like potato sacks, being tossed up and down due to the force. Because I slept on the way back, my whole body feels like someone thrashed it. This morning I woke up with horrible aches, so horrible that I cannot imagine anyone suffering from. I cannot picture the state of the bums of those friends who opted to sit down the whole journey. Must be terribly sore, haha.

As I write this and look back now, the trip to the place and meeting the people there..all of it seems like a dream. A beautiful dream into a magical world. 
I don't know if I will be able to visit the place again in my life.But, I hope..someday..I will be able to come back with my friends. And, meanwhile.. I pray change does not spoil the good hearts of the local people there. May it remain as big and beautiful as it is now..always.

Our lunch spot and also the place where the texts are said to have landed.  

Another tea ceremony.

The chorten Kuentu Lekpa built in memory of his mother, Kandro Drowa Zangmo.

Freezing the moment!

My fav. lecturer who also is a great tourist guide :) In here with ma'am Kuenga, an archeologist. 

Notice how talented a painter mother nature is.

Beautiful sunset at thromang.

Touching and smelling the ancient texts ^^

This is how warmly the locals welcomed us.

Thank you Baka Wangchhuk for being there. Nge male bestie jigs. What would I ever do without you?  I cannot imagine the sort of body ache you must be suffering from. I am sorry you suffered taking care of me but know that am very grateful, too. 
Thank you Jigme, Chezom, Lhamo, Ssh Tshomo, Cring, Ceering, Jharna,Tsencho, Chhimmi , Jaypo , potsho, unnie and everyone for being amazing friends. It is always beautiful and fun to travel with you guys. 
And, finally..Thank you sir Dorji Wangchuk for arranging this amazing trip. I shall always remember you for all these trips and picnics you take us on. There is so much to learn from these classrooms outside the four walls. Some of the best days of my life. Thank you for the beautiful moments, memories I will cherish for ever.

The credit for the beautiful pictures : Sir Dorji, my fav. lecturer and Lhamo, one of my good friends.