Reflections

Nothing quite compares to the exquisite beauty of the mountains south of Thimphu (actually the mountains all around Thimphu), with the beautiful and diverse appearances of the sunlight, which light the mountains and the trees, every day, differently. And the bellowing clouds, and peace and calm that the mountains exude. It’s quiet, to walk towards the mountains from KILU School towards home, it feels quiet and it quiets me inside.

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I think it’s been easy to take for granted the fact that here in Bhutan an entire society seems to run based on values such as patience, generosity, and non-violence. It’s been a remarkable experience to live in a place where there are no displays of violence, people are not rude to you, or short, or mean, or aggressive. The only time someone has been rude to me in my nine months here was in Jakar, and it was an American tourist. It’s hard not to take it for granted when you’re in it, but the fact of the matter is that there is patience all around, and even more so, there is generosity.

I don't want to be naive and suggest that somehow this is a utopia. Human beings reside here and with that, come negative actions and emotions. Like every where else in the world people mistreat one another here, I am sure. There is domestic violence, there are thugs, there is corporal punishment, sexual harrasement, abuses of power and abuses of every kind. But, compared to every other place in the world I've ever been, this place is "heaven on earth" in terms of the way people treat one another. Sure, I believe my experience in Bhutan is what it is partly because I am a foreigner and as such, I am treated very well here. But, beyond the patience, generosity and non-violence, there is an openness, an inquisitiveness, a friendliness and generosity of spirit all around that is truly wonderful.

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Here in Bhutan, another thing that I’ve taken for granted is the fact that no one judges you by your nationality. As a foreigner, between the ex-pats here, and the way Bhutanese think of us, no one seems to care what country you are from. It’s not a label that matters. Above all, you are a human being, and are treated that way, without much attention given to your nationality or ethnicity. That’s been refreshing, it’s almost like here, I can just be Noam. Not an American, not an Israeli, just Noam, a human being.

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In terms of the international community here. It's a small one. I've wondered in recent months, what is it about this place that brings together such sweet, gentle, kind, warm, people to it. It’s as if it is a magnet for wonderful people. Warm, kind-hearted, helpful, generous, interesting and fun to be around. It’s amazing!!

Impermanence is embodied in the international community here. People come and people go. It's almost as if I can look at the past nine months here and divide them into three different social waves of terrific people that came and went. Of course there was a group of people that was already here when I arrived, but most of them have left. A second wave came between december and february, and now we are in the third wave which started at some point february. It is indeed a great lesson in impermanence as I have bonded with several dear friends who are now no longer in Bhutan, and soon I will say goodbye to those who are still here.

I feel quite blessed that I have such wonderful people enter my life and I am confident that we will continue to be in each others' lives.

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