Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Explaining Bhutan to the Unknowns

Many of us know that Australia is a multi cultured country and we meet people from various backgrounds we could possibly imagine. There are people from every possible corner of the world and it is exciting to meet them and at the same time, share about our country which as well might be alien to other people around the globe as we are to their country.

I was on English Conversation Group as organized by the University. There were students from China, Malaysia and Turkey. Chinese and Malaysian had some hints about where Bhutan is except for the girl from Turkey. However, I was sure no one was aware of what is inside Bhutan and how amazing it is to live in Bhutan, a complete different world from Western countries.


As we introduced ourselves, all of us started to talk about our country. The Turkey girl seemed puzzled of whereabouts Bhutan. I gave a friendly smile and explained, "Bhutan is a small country located between China and India" This is one of the basic, the easiest and the most common method to describe where Bhutan is. Followed by, “It is a very small and a happy country” Well, I hope it is. I don’t want to see or read crime news in Kuensel online or in BBS.


Then the Turkey girl responded; with a closed mouth, nodding her head from north to south and still wanting to hear more of Bhutan. At the same time, I knew I have to talk more on it and continued, "We are an Independent country and is the Youngest Democratic Country. We still have King and Queen and.... “ She was smiling and suddenly popped in with smiling and surprising appeal, "Oh wow, really? Bhutan is a fairy tale country. It is a Cinderella story" I smiled and promptly replied; "It is not as easy as it seems like in Cinderella" Of course, all countries have a history to reveal.


I was not ready to talk about politics in Bhutan. A thought captured in my mind that she has no ABCDE information about Bhutan and this is not my first time meeting someone who doesn't know about Bhutan. So, I energized myself and said, "Bhutan's second language is English” so that she can at least know that Bhutan is not an isolated country and then covered some topic on Gross National Happiness. Well, this is what came to my mind and I felt good sharing smaller things to my friend who seemed so alien to Bhutan. It is natural. Not all of us know where Honolulu is. She didn't know the name "Bhutan" existed so I believe, I helped her in my own little ways to capture the image of Bhutan and never forget it. No matter how much Bhutan is exposed to outside world, we are still an Unknown and there are people who wants to know more of Bhutan.


I think I did a lot of talking part and I showed Bhutan through Google and found some interesting pictures. I felt so good seeing the picture. Bhutan is indeed such a peaceful and happy country no matter how much we complain about it. At the end, Home is where your heart it.

Well, after showing the pictures of Bhutan, she was awestruck and amazed at how beautiful Bhutan is- with Greenery Himalayas interlocked with each other.
Talking of Bhutan, and this is exactly how students away from their home country celebrate their living in another world.


At the end of our meeting, I felt so good and satisfied that I got this opportunity to talk about Bhutan and even invited them to visit Bhutan.

8 comments:

  1. Bhutan looks like a beautiful country! I knew basically where it is, but not too much else, and I didn't know anyone who lived there until I met you. :) Thanks so much for sharing about your beloved country. I like the term "Gross National Happiness" - that's a good one!

    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Hi Karen,
      World is very small :D
      I am glad I met you as well. You should browse "Gross National Hapiness" and enjoy reading about it. ^^

      Cheers!

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  3. A nice post, Yeshi. I am glad to know that you take pride in sharing and talking about Bhutan to other people there. Besides being a student in a foreign country, you seem to be living by the principle which expects us to be the young ambassadors to other countries and represent Bhutan in the best manner possible. keep doing that. With this, Happy Thruebab and have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. :)

      Thank you. I hope you washed your sins unlike me. No rain in here!!!!!!!

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  4. I know that you would be so excited to share about our country to others. And felt proud after making all this statement. This is exactly what I do, always framing, re-framing different aspects of Bhutan-all in positive. In fact, this is what we are, what Bhutan is. Good post, a young scholar in the foreign land growing smarter and wiser, that's you. A wonderful day!

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    1. Thank you Rikku Sir for your Positive response. It is always so good to know that we are such a fabulous youngsters of Bhutan (Smiling) :D

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  5. To me, Bhutan is like the best kept secret! There is no where in the world like it and I can't believe the whole world isn't trying to escape to it, but of course that's because most people don't know about it (which may be a good thing). I also agree with you that it is like a fairy tale (when not reading the Kuensel lol). Take care and enjoy your stay in Australia because Bhutan will always be waiting for you. xoxo

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