15 November 2010

Bhutan - Tasty Thimphu

Well, we'd been warned about Caribbean DJ's and boy did the Haitian ones deliver. The music was eclectic and interesting, but those DJ's made it a rough day.

After a long weekend of resting up, we're ready for some travel! Let's head to Bhutan today!!!

let's get oriented, shall we?

Named "Land of the Dragon", Bhutan's beauty is staggering. They're obsessed with preserving their natural beauty and the purity of their nation. And while we Americans could take a lesson or twelve from the Bhutanese, their preservation attempts aren't always a good thing though. They expelled about 100,000 ethnic Nepalis in the 1980s... gotta keep everything clean and pure, huh? 

so pretty...

Environmental protection is a top priority though, as is the happiness of its people. It's the only country in the world to measure "Gross National Happiness", and uses this data to guide it's decisions. The indicators used to quantify GNH are interesting and worth looking up if you're a nerd. Their emphasis on happiness rather than economic development is enthralling, especially with some of the currently trendy Western economic research out there that advocate this. 

so pretty...

Fun fact: Bhutan was the last country in the world to introduce TV when it did so in 1999, and the government blames it for the increase in crime since then. It's kinda scary to have that kind of sway over your people, even if it is purportedly benevolent.

Can't we take a second and collectively groan about TV? Ugh. So much of it is so horrible. Even the supposedly good stuff. History Channel? Yikes. Dino sex? We dunno how "good" that programming is. We wonder what the Bhutanese programming is like. Probably lots of Indian stuff...

so pretty...

Anyway, in the late 90's the Bhutanese transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. A few years ago, the king stunned the nation by announcing that he'd abdicate the throne in favor of his son and that democratic elections would take place shortly thereafter. 

so pretty...

Pinky has had a hell of a time finding a live station from here, so tune in while you can! We believe this station broadcasting from the capital city of Thimphu goes dark in the late evening as well, so we may need to switch to another station in another nation when that occurs. 


It's a tough place to access for a visit and is pretty insular, so y'all enjoy this little peak into Bhutan! We sure don't get many opportunities to do so.


There is a really obnoxious static/tin can/robot whine going on on top of the broadcast this morning. So! We recommend checking back later or suffering through it. Suffer! Suffer! It's totally worth it!


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