Getting ready to leave Thimpu

Monday 2 February

Just some of my shopping - bins and the box are fully packed!

Shopping is complete apart from those items apparently unobtainable in Thimpu (unfortunately, for me, this includes a sewing machine of transportable proportions) and some fresh food, which we will buy on the way to our placements.   Thank goodness for the suggestions made by Karma regarding where to shop and the extent to which the group has shared their own explorations and purchases, as well as the directions of local people – which sometimes have extended to accompanying me to find a shop that sells what I am looking for – via one or two shops that do not have those items.

We are eternally grateful to Karma for undertaking purchase of some of the larger items on our behalf, the fridge, stove, gas cylinders and water filters.  The rest has been carried up the hill in parcels tied with string, in backpacks and packed into the buckets that are such a necessary part of our household purchases, along with the lockable metal box for storing valuables in our houses.  My mattress was transported back tied onto the top of a taxi and my rugs threaded onto my broom handle and balanced against my shoulder – receiving many bemused looks.

I rather like the purple and red

How all our purchases are going to fit into/onto our transport is an interesting question. 

Judy met a parent and student from Kheni LSS today and they know I am coming and are excited about it.  I am excited about that.  I hope I live up to their anticipation. 

The morning orientation session about risk management and health reinforced a few of the realities of living in a third world country for a year as well as providing an overview of the public health system that is available to us should we need it.  I hope that both it and the 3Kg of pharmaceuticals and first aid supplies in my suitcase are largely unneeded.

Gho and Kira have been collected from the tailor and while we still have a session to practice getting dressed (this is not as silly as it sounds), many have already experimented and feel quite comfortable in the new clothes and for the females, rather glamorous.

A large hot chocolate and delicious slice of almond and pear tart for afternoon tea ruined my appetite for dinner and our biggest criticism of Cloud9’s cakes was that more, yummier looking cakes appeared after we had eaten.  It will be our last opportunity for such indulgences for quite some time.