16. november

Today Lasse and I went on a long-distance trip. Together with Mr. Sangay from the Ministry and his wife we drove - or rather had a driver take us - to another town called Kurutang which is about 80 km (50 miles) from Thimphu. What did you say? "It is not very far!" No indeed, but to get there we had to climb a mountain and come down on the other side, and THAT road was winding, narrow and full of holes and big trucks and the drive took 2,5 hours! But we made it ;-) On the way we visited a botanical garden and even though this wasn't the best time of the year I found it extremely quiet and peaceful. On the way out we saw a sign telling visitors that there were tigers, bears and other potentially dangerous animals in the northern part of the garden. Luckily we didn't go to the north!

Kurutang has subtropical climate and we could feel the difference from Thimphu - it was wetter and warmer. We went to visit an institute of electrical engineering and metal works and we got a tour and saw the workshops. We were also told that the river next to the buildings flooded the metal workshop 2 years ago and that it took them 1 month to clean the lathes and other machines afterwards! Now they are building a protecting wall so it won't happen again. Afterwards we had lunch with the principal of the institute - he had asked for not too hot food, but still it was the hottest we had yet. We wondered how hot traditional Bhutanese food might be if this was mild!!! Then I had an interview with the trainers while Lasse went sightseeing. The trainers were just as open and kind and helpful as the rest of the Bhutanese people, so I got a lot of inspiration from them.

In the afternoon we went to Samthang to visit yet another institute - this time one where they educated truck drivers and mechanics. At this institute people were also extraordinarily kind and welcoming and I had another great interview with a group of motivated, positive trainers and got a lot with me for my report which I am to write soon.

Going back over the mountain was even worse than coming out because it got dark and foggy and still the road was winding, narrow and full of holes and big trucks. It took quite a while to get back to Thimphu and it was after 7 in the evening when we finally climbed out of the car with shaking hands and stiff legs.

Lasse and I had dinner with Carsten at the restaurant in his apartment house and we decided to walk home afterwards. It was very short but uphill and the thin air here really got to me. I began gasping after just a few steps, but Lasse was very kind and assured me that it was quite normal. I just thought I was in a bad shape, even though it surprised me that it was this bad! I took the lift instead of the stairs to the 4.th floor when reaching the hotel ;-)