What really impressed us about Bhutan besides the magnificent landscape, was the people we meet. From our guide Pena, our driver Kinley, our host Thsomo and her family to the ordinary people who willingly shared their seats with us at the festival. Every person I asked permission to take their pictures granted my request graciously . Bhutan monasteries are quite places for mediation. When Bhutanese entered a temple , they always wear their national dress, take off their shoes and prostrate in front of the Bhudda and ask for blessings. Even though we are just foreign visitors, the monk always extended their blessing to us.

I found a coin on the ground and told Pema that in the US that is considered "lucky Money" . He replied that in Bhutan, they are thinking of the sadness of the person who lost it and will not feel that it is lucky and will donate the coin to the temple. Slightly different philosophy about life! In Bhutan, being devoted Buddhist means no killing so there is no fishing or hunting in this country and all the fish and meat have to be imported from India.

We saw prayer flags flying high in the mountain tops, prayer wheels turned by water, people walking around stupas in clockwise direction spinning prayer wheel in their hands. All of these are done in order for Buddha to hear their prayers and asking for blessings, not just for themselves but for all creatures in the world including animals, fish and even insects. Buddhists are indeed compassion people who cares for the harmony of the world. We purchased some prayer flags and wrote family and friends names on them. We displayed one prayer flag on an auspicious mountain top and another over a river . We hope our prayer flags will bring blessings and happiness to all our loved ones.

Our last day in Bhutan were spent hiking up to the base of Tastshang Monastery or the "Tigers Liar". This place was perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 4000 feet. The monastery was built near the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8 the century. It is one of the holiest and most photographed place in all of Bhutan. It tool us an hour and a half to reach the cafe at the half way point and the view is spectacular! It would have taken us another 2 hours of strenuous hiking straight up the mountain side to reach the monastery. None of us had strong enough knees to handle the trek and decided to just have our lunch and enjoy the scenery. We were rewarded when a yellow beaked magpie landed in front us. This hike was not only a pleasure walk but a spiritual journey.

To all the people in Bhutan, let me say "Name Same Kadin Che La" (Beyond the sky and the earth, thank you), let us hope we will meet again.