Pride of representing Bhutan in California.

BHUTAN, “Is it part of India or China, or is it somewhere in the African continent?”  An annoying question from people who do not have any idea about the existence of Bhutan on the earth. Is Bhutan a happiest country in the world? An intimidating question from the people who more or less know about the Bhutan.  Our country’s presence is not at all known to many and somewhat to very few. Therefore, what it meant to be a first Bhutanese to study in Claremont colleges (five colleges including Pitzer college in Claremont city)?

Apart from vigorous and inclusive academic learnings, utilizing resourceful facilities, encountering people from across the world, and travelling around the places, introducing and representing our Country and College as one of the first Bhutanese to study at Pitzer, was one proudest, fulfilling and memorable part of my exchange program. It truly was an honor and pride just to say that “I am from Bhutan” and exchange or showcase our culture and values with people from across the world. Wearing a gho on occasions, carrying Yathra (woolen) bag and greeting people with kuzuzangpola became a magnet of social network where I could draw the peoples’ attention and interest about Bhutan. In fact, many of them became my friends, acquaintances and learners about Bhutan. Classmates in the classes, random people on the street, friends and families at the meal table, sweepers on the pathways, chef and waiters in dining hall, and officials and professional in the offices would inquire so many things about Bhutan and its culture. However, of many I will share two interesting and memorable incidences from my diary which I have written at some point of time.

 First, it was on November 1^st, on our His majesty’s coronation day, dressed in gho with yathra bag hung over my shoulder, I was hurrying for a Buddhist meditation class at Pomona college (one of the Claremont colleges), a man in fifties filled with passion and inquisitiveness stopped me on the way and surprisingly greeted me, Kuzuzangpo la. According to him, he learns and follows Bhutan through the channel of national geography, discovery and wonders list of world of CNN channel. The surprising and funny thing was, during our conversation, he hugged me tightly saying that he wanted to share happiness from me just because he views Bhutan as the land of happiness. We talked about Bhutan for almost more than half an hour and eventually I had to miss my class. However, that day was memorable and fulfilling.

Another cherish-able incidence was during winter vacation, when I visited Norton Simon museum in Pasadena city. Again I was in my gho walking majestically and looking carefully to the portraits hung on the wall, at the front door of one compartments’ inside the museum, one lady security guard stepped backward and saluted to me as soon as I entered through the door. It was really awkward but I had to be serious and I uncomfortably bowed to her.

From such responses and reactions from the people, I realized sometimes you are not recognized individually or of who you are. Rather you are recognized through where you are from and who you represent and I think I represented Bhutan and its culture with much love and pride. In fact, I would summarize my exchange program experience as mounting of patriotism and spiritualism.

My answers to their questions of which I mentioned in the beginning:

1-    ‘Do not ask me is Bhutan, a part of India or china, or somewhere in African continent? just ask me where is Bhutan?’.

2-    Bhutan is definitely …Ahmmm….not the happiest country in the world but we pursue happiness.          

NOTE: Wrote this one in 2017