Today I went for a hike up to see the Big Buddha. The statue is 50 meters--3 stories-- tall. He sits way up on a hill and can be seen from almost every place in the Thimphu valley.
I figured since you could see the Buddha, how hard could it be to hike there. Once I started walking, though, I got confused. I passed a western lady wearing a kira and asked her for directions. Turns out she is in my meditation class on Tuesdays. Her name is Pepper and is from California. She's here volunteering at a women's shelter. She pointed to two mountain faces yonder and used mountaineering terms in describing how to get to Buddha. I asked about just taking a road instead of meandering thru the hillside but she wasn't good with the roads. Pepper is a mountaineer and was confident I'd figure it out. Off I went.
Beautiful views. Those are blooming apple trees at the bottom of the photograph.
Big rocks are found on many roofs here
As I was ascending the road, I felt like I was on private property. There was a man in gho and I asked him where I was. He told me I was on some government ministers property (huge house). I apologized and told him I was hiking to Big Buddha. He laughed and told me to follow him. He then took me in the back yard and put me on a narrow trail. It will get me there, he says.
Notice the small path and no paint marks on the trees for help.
I eventually made it to the road! I like this picture: Cows, prayer flags, a cypress tree, and Buddha way up there on hill
At top
Made in China:
On the way back down two Indian guys were taking my picture (kinda weird). Not to mention I was sweaty, dirty and in my PJ's. Buddha was right behind me and I asked one to take a picture of me with Buddha in the background. This is the result:
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