Tshewang's Journal

As a freelance blogger for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, I embarked on a unique photography project - capturing tourist hotspots in Bhutan using the "Smart_Torch Relay" app on my Android phone. It was an honor to be among hundreds chosen for this task, especially as the Torch Relay itself was being made electronic and accessible through smartphones. My journey took me to historical sites like the tallest Buddha statue in Kuensel Phodrang, Paro's Tiger's Nest, and Kichu Lhakhang. On the way back from Paro, a thought-provoking encounter unfolded. An elderly couple (around 70) hailed my taxi. The driver, blasting loud Hindi music, provided unwelcome background noise to our hour-long ride. As the couple boarded, they engaged in a philosophical debate. The husband, Meme Phuntsho, questioned the essence of our travel. "Are we riding this car?" he asked, "Or are we riding the money that bought it?" His wife, unfazed, countered, "We could walk or take...

So it's true! That I didn't learn until late that 'village people are the real practitioner of values and town people only prattle of it'. Fun it was, as it should have been, on a tour to remote Bangladesh with classmates for Clinical Out reach trip. The cry was pretty fowl as rather we found ourselves standing in front of the camera tow so often. The hundreds of acres of tea garden are mesmerizing! The pound with croaks of frogs makes sleep an expensive affair! Well, croaks are no visuals but a displeasing aura! The visual beauty  is the lone moon giving it's blissful rays over the giant silents plains! In the mood oft; a train whistles it's truncated blow; through the plains of  eternal extension it sways; of meandering yet straightened; on sunken hills a far! Hundreds alike in odd hours! Travel is an inevitable facet of life. But that didn't scared me. On a high up in sky was the vastness of sky, with a glittering forage of busing stars. The Capricorn ...

Upon our arrival in Bhutan, Phuntsholing greeted us with open arms, beckoning us into a local restaurant where we indulged in a feast of Bhutanese delicacies, a long-awaited treat after a year of absence. The journey's dust made an impromptu visit to the restroom necessary before I could fully enjoy the meal. There, amidst the comforts of home cuisine, we reveled in dishes that spoke of familiarity and nostalgia, far removed from the Alu Parathas that had become our staple abroad. Our journey took a humorous turn upon reaching Gedu. My friend, known for his reserved nature, unexpectedly disrupted the silence with a loud fart, prompting an exchange of jests between us. His excuse? The fermented curd hadn't sat well with him. Little did I know, my own stomach would soon join this comical rebellion. Indeed, as we approached Tsimasham, my insides began their own uproarious laughter, compelling us to request an unscheduled stop. I silently prayed for anonymity in my discomfort, unwi...

Embarking on a journey from one of the world's second dirtiest cities to the familiar embrace of family and friends, I found myself reflecting on the uneven scales of life. It hadn't always been a ride of sheer joy or profound discovery for me. Yet, amidst the academic grind and the nocturnal battles with sleep, the sudden announcement of a delayed next semester exam felt like an unforeseen holiday blessing. It was an opportunity that hadn't crossed my mind until then, igniting a spark of anticipation for the break ahead. Our departure was marked by the reluctant farewell of the sun, setting the stage for a nocturnal voyage. The flight's smoothness was a stark contrast to the rough journeys of past, where constant jolts and the startling honks disrupted the quest for rest. The turbulence of wind against the slowing vehicle and the fluctuations in fuel levels added layers of discomfort to the ordeal. This was the reality of travel for those of us not privileged with the ...

Beneath the moon's soft glow, a vision did unfold, A mouse, not grey, but azure, brave and bold. It danced across the mended, darkened floor, With eyes like pearls, it stole my gaze once more. A whirlwind blue, it scurried to my bed, Where flat I lay, in slumber's depths instead. Curled tight, it seemed a demon in disguise, Panting softly, moonlight in its eyes. Beside it, bathed in shadows deep and cool, My black cat slumbered, unaware of the jewel. With pouncing grace, a hunter's instinct stirred, Oh, the fragile beauty of the mouse unheard. Terror sparked, a flight of turquoise wings, Bones like coral, where the moonlit ocean clings. A phantom ship emerged from shadows near, Carrying the mouse away, dispelling fear. But in the cat's dark eyes, a reflection shone, The pearl-light glimmer, claiming it his own. No conscience questioned, nature's call obeyed, The blue mouse vanished, in the hunt's cascade. I stirred awake, and gently pushed away My white sheet, f...

Hello Everyone, As the clock ushers in a new year, I find myself marveling at the relentless pace of time. Reflecting on 2012 brings a mix of emotions: joy, sorrow, achievements, and the bittersweet feeling of moving on. It's now 2013, a fresh start, and I'm compelled to share my thoughts on a year that was anticipated with doomsday predictions that never materialized, marred by tragedy like the heart-wrenching incident in Connecticut, and a heinous crime in India that dominated headlines. In essence, 2012 was a blend of the mundane and the tumultuous, serving as a reminder of life's dual nature—its joys and sorrows, its beauty and darkness. For me, 2012 was largely a positive journey. Despite a few low points, the highs undoubtedly made the ride worthwhile. The initial rush of securing my place at Dhaka University soon gave way to the rigorous academic life of a medical student, an experience enriched by friendships I treasure deeply. Emotional ups and downs were part and ...

After a rejuvenating two-month hiatus, I've returned to Dhaka to continue my undergraduate journey, marking this as my first post since my arrival five months ago. The solitude sometimes prompts me to question the decision-making of the scholarship division for not pairing me with fellow students in this alien environment. Dhaka, with its unchanging landscape, dusty air, relentless traffic, and the seemingly perpetual construction of an underground pipeline, feels as unfamiliar as ever. The city's streets, filled with the same beggars reaching out to strangers and cars honking incessantly, starkly contrast the quieter, more orderly streets of Thimphu. Despite the chaos, I've found a warmth in the Bangladeshi people that's undeniably genuine. If the quality of friendship were measurable, the locals here would undoubtedly score high. Yet, the language barrier presents a unique challenge, with my limited Bangla and their struggle with English creating a comedic yet frustra...

Yesterday, at last period; My English teacher taught us a factual lesson by giving a simple example. He started asking us with the differences we can see from comparing potted plant and the wild plant. All I can think of at first was they are both plants. They both give the same physical description and they were both plants of same species. However I realized that there are differences. “What could be the differences?" I thought, before i could speak any differences our sir, told us the differences. The potted plant is being cared by the people. People water them, put fertilizers, and make is way so possible to look beautiful. They give flower which adds serenity of human beauty. On the other hand, the wild plants do not get any of those. All that they get is the water from rain, manure from the natural soil, and care from the Mother Nature itself. Yet both give the same flower no less. I took the scale from my bag, and made column for listing the differences. I listed all that ...