the more I hear about this country the more intrigued I am in going – would love to hear more about the people, culture, music etc compared to the rest of the region..

My Bhutan is getting my business off the ground, so that I can support myself solely through my art and writing. I don’t need to travel the world (though that would be very cool) in order to fulfill myself. I need to be able to have the time and space to pursue my many art forms.

Been to Bhutan several times. It is pristine and beautiful, and like many places in the world, has a recent history of ethnic cleansing. Notice the Indian/Nepali’s hammering rocks on the side of the road? Though many of them are 2nd or 3rd generation in Bhutan, they have no opportunities to grow out of squalor. A refugee community just formed in Portland as a matter of fact. So enjoy, but keep your eyes open for injustice.

That being said, I love the culture, religion and especially the spicy food and sweet people, and when I have $1,000, I’ll be there in a heart beat!

-Joshua

I really dig this blog! Best of luck to you in your travels and creative endeavors!
Hilary Gardner

Next time you’re in that neighborhood you may want to check this out. Friends of mine recently did a 15 day trek through the Himalayas to the Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang. It has remained unchanged for 1000 years and has just recently opened up to foreigners. They hiked to the captitol of Lo Monthang and had an interview with the king in his palace – first time a tv crew ever interviewed him in his palace. It is going to be a stupendous documentary!

enjoy!

Like you mentioned it is about finding what an individual’s Bhutan is and I think Bhutan does have a lot of things to offer..

Am tweeting this post of yours..

Good day

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Bhutan, one of my favorite places on earth! Like you, I have been fortunate to travel to a lot of places (43 countries so far) and Bhutan was truly a very different experience, and so worth the expense (for me). It’s important to note that one can not travel on their own in Bhutan – you must be accompanied by a guide (or at least that was the case when I went back in 2004) and adhere to a schedule approved by the government. Even though I really prefer to travel independently, I do not think it takes away from the Bhutan experience to be with a guide(s) – it keeps the country from being overrun and is still a very real experience.

Enjoy the rest of your time there and travel safely,

Steph

I enjoyed your video. It reminded me of my friend who lived there working for UNDP. How do you like the food? She said that the food was so spicy it ruined her taste buds after living there for one year!.

Etsuko

I read your definition of frugality to my husband this evening, since it’s exactly what I was trying to express to him last night when we were talking about our priorities, plans, dreams…my Bhutan is definitely having the freedom to travel!