“This is my favorite part of the day. “Good morning, Class Two C,” I say. The entire class leaps up and sings out, “Good morning, miss!” Twenty-three faces are smiling at me. Sometimes they shout it with so much conviction that I laugh.” ChildrenSchoolBhutan Book:Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan Source: Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan
“I need to be alone. After a full day of talking, smiling, listening, showing, nodding, translating, I want to be alone. I want simply to come home, close the door, and sit in silence, gathering up the bits of myself that have come loose. I want to think, or not think. I want to rest.” SchoolTeachingSolitudeBhutan Book:Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan Source: Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan
“I’ve just been transferred to Kanglung,” I say. They look at me to see if I am joking, and then they look at each other. There is a long, terrible silence and we all look at the floor. Karma Dorji wipes his runny nose on his sleeve and looks up. “Oh, miss,” he says sadly. “Please don’t go.” “Just a minute,” I say, and go into the bathroom. I latch the door and turn on the tap full force. When the water is running noisily, I lean my hot forehead against the damp, flaking concrete, and cry.” ChildrenSchoolLeavingBhutan Book:Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan Source: Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan