The ten-day forecast for Thimphu now includes our arrival day (should we actually be allowed to land, that is), 74 degrees and 60% chance of rain. The floor includes my gum boots (the one item a long-term Bhutan living resident suggested I bring), raincoat, an insulated mug, and pile after pile of "possibly necessary" articles of clothing, vitamins (sigh), chocolate (since I've been informed repeatedly that Bhutanese culture does not subscribe much to sweets, not to mention the fact that I really am addicted to dark chocolate), sunscreen (hmm), and various antidotes for disturbed digestion (given the local cuisine of chillies--as the PRIMARY ingredient--and melted cheese over red rice. The chili/cheese mixture is known as ema datse). Left in the cabinets are a stack of paper plates, some plastic camping utensils, one mixing bowl (in which I ate my salad last night), and one stove pot (in which Chris ate his salad last night). I like camping in my own domicile. Everything seems far simpler without so many things. "Stuff" is generally overrated and remembering that it is more than possible to get by perfectly well without so much "stuff" is a welcome reminder. One of the things I am most looking forward to about living in Bhutan is less stuff! Anyone who lives in an urban environment knows that the most popular pastime seems to be shopping. Malls are always jammed both on weekends and after 5pm on weekdays. Its astounding. And I'm both bored and somewhat disgusted by how pervasive that energy can be. (Not that, as you can see below, we have managed to actually overcome such a tendency!
Forecast today in Somerville, MA: heat and humidity index of over 100 degrees. I'm trying to believe that I can still enjoy the sunlight even if I'm sweltering.
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