Ecuador, siempre me encanta

I was lucky enough to get to go to Ecuador for work the last two weeks. It had been 4 years since I was here last, and in a very different capacity this time. I was mostly in Quito for work, but I got to travel a little bit.

Hard to explain the hold this country has on me -- I felt at home immediately, and I feel sad to leave again now. My Spanish is pretty rusty, but I spoke almost nonstop over the weekend I had free, and after that my tongue no longer felt like lead.

The mountains here are just as spectacular as in Bhutan, although everything else is different. Quito is at 9,000 feet, a couple thousand higher than Thimphu, and it affects most people when they arrive to visit. On a site visit, I was at over 10,200 feet -- at that height, just walking up a street I felt a bit out of breath.

I'll post pictures soon.

Bhutan, how I miss you

It's been almost 5 months since I left Bhutan, and I'm still missing all my friends, colleagues, and students. Here are some pics from the term-end party in June.



I've stayed in touch with a few friend from Bhutan, and I'm sure I'll be back again some day. Life in DC is 180 degrees different from my life in Bhutan, both with their positives and negatives. I miss a lot about Bhutan: friends, my students, ema datsi (there is no substitute), walking and hiking everywhere, stunning view all the time. Things I'm happy to have again in the US: friends, a decent income, biking, huge variety of cuisine. Is there a middle ground between the two? I don't know. The pace of life is completely different. Values are getting closer, but still far apart. Physical environment, the clarity of the air, education -- all very different.

And time goes by

I've been at my new job for about 3.5 months now in DC, and am loving it. Matt and I bought a house just last week, and we're loving that too. We've been taking photos as we've been tearing out carpet (gorgeous hardwood floors underneath!), and we have lots of other projects in store.

Here are some pics of us signing the house papers:


It's been a crazy couple months, and Matt is going back to Bhutan in just about 1 month, so it won't be not crazy anytime soon.

Last big hike: back to Tiger's Nest

A week before leaving, I went back to Tiger's Nest to visit the monasteries that most tourists don't visit above Tiger's Nest.

Tiger's Nest:

One of the monasteries at the top:
I made a new friend on the route, and he introduced me to his friends, since he spends a lot of time at these monasteries.
The "trail" was really a stream. Slow going, a little slippery and required at least one jump-across.
Zangto Pelri:
My new friend introduced me to his "grandpa," who made us tea in his one-room home.
And since someone rightly said I don't usually post photos of people, here you go :)
The last temple we visited was two floors, with one nun in silent month-long meditation on each floor. My friend and I sat and meditated for some time here, and I left with such peace.

Last days

My last days in Thimphu were hectic, filled with goodbyes, packing, and happily, a few last hikes.

Strange fungus along the trail we found:

Rainbow over a ridge across the valley, a sweet ending to my time.
Beautiful mushroom:
I love this garbage can, at a local school. One side says "Plez love me" and the other "kiss me nicely."

Puppies

We see dogs all the time here, in various levels of adorableness. These ones are right near where we live, and I am so sorely tempted to take one home.

Morning hike

I went for a couple hours walk today up to a nearby low ridge and gardens. Here's some of what I saw. View of a monastery across the valley:

Butterflies! I think this one is an Eastern Courtier:

Azure Sapphire:
Okay, this guy is from a couple days ago, but I love his look: