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Day 50!
 
Gosh, it seems like a long time. Thinking about it, it is a long time. Looking at a map, I find it hard to believe that I have covered all this ground. 50 days represents the half way point of my journey, not only in time (I have planned for a 100 days trip) but also geographically: I am now turning around to make my way back home. Until now, I was always heading towards the east, now I am looking towards the west, towards home.
 
The morning is fresh and for the first time, the skies are blue.

Paro, Sunday the 7th of August

Degrubenc
2005-12-09 17:50:07

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addressing Mr. Nice and getting promt approval from him he turns smartly to face me, stand upright and formally invites me to join their lunch at the officer’s mess which is about to start. I thank him for his generosity and gratefully accept. He snatches my bag and marches up the steps before I had time to utter another word. As we reach the door I turn around to notice that Mr. Nice has disappeared, Major N. Tshering informs me that he will be eating with the sergeants.

The Officers mess resembled in every way a British Officer’s Mess, there are pictures of the King and his 4 Queens on the main wall, cabinets full of regimental silver, pictures of the officers playing Horse Polo, paintings depicting heroic battles, Regimental Flags hanging in the corridors bearing battle honors, deep leather chairs, large wooden ceiling fans and a polished oak flooring. All terribly smart. As I enter, in sandals, thin long trousers and a black T-shirt drenched in sweat I feel decidedly undressed facing the 20 or so assembled officers all in their smart uniforms. I was getting ready to make my excuses and return to the slump for lunch when the Colonel in Charge of Camp walked in, everyone jumped to attention (myself not included) and silence settled abruptly. The Colonel came straight to me and welcomed me warmly in perfect English. Colonel D. Lendhup did his military formation at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, compliments of the British. He is a very kind man, terribly well educated and very curious about my trip, how I found all the different places I went through and my impressions so far. Before lunch we had a quick drink in one of the well-appointed rooms. A sergeant in a magnificent uniform came to inform us that lunch was served. My intrusion seems to have caused no logistical problems. I was given the honor of sitting on the right hand side of the Colonel and left of Major N Tshering. Lunch was pleasant and good, served by butlers in colorful ...