Zoë wanted to have her birthday at home before several weeks of traveling,
so we enjoyed several more days of beautiful sunsets and evening hikes as I graded the last exam, met with colleagues to “moderate” results, and basically wrapped up the semester.
We are amused by what look like barn stalls for cars, but the narrow fit shows how precisely Bhutanese drivers can maneuver on these roads perched on the edge of the mountains.
Dechen the president’s wife gave us “Crow beak” and tree tomatoes out of her wonderful garden after we stopped by to chat with them (interrupting them from rebuilding a shed with their boys).
We also had a day to wash out all the wanjus of the wardrobe Zoë and I share.
Then, with the blessings of Dantak (the road-building organization)
and the thoughtfulness of the boys’ hostels
we take to the road, with Ugyen’s expert driving to keep us safe.