Nunneries and Fertility Sticks

We followed the usual course today... lots of long drives on bumpy roads, visited some temples and stupas, were further indoctrinated in Buddhism, got kicked out of our hotel room by the Prime Minister.

Okay, we didn't exactly get kicked out of our hotel room. Apparently, the Prime Minister is staying at the hotel we had booked for tonight and our guide thought it might be to "rowdy" for us. Heather questioned him on this saying, "Is your Prime Minister very rowdy?". She was kidding, but he took it very seriously, which made it even funnier. He got very concerned by this question and quickly came to the defense of the Prime Minister, letting us know that he is not rowdy, but all of his follower can create some commotion. The short of it is, we got ousted to a little bungalow in the "jungle". No worries though--our jungle bungalow is still quite nice and has a charming little balcony (although, not quite as charming in the rain).

I think my favorite moment from today was when we visited the "Temple of the Divine Madman" (aka "the Temple of Fertility"). It is a Buddhist school so there were lots of little Monks running around (so cute). When we entered the temple there, they were just starting a ceremony so we were able to hear some of their ceremonial music--Heather loved it ;)-- and then we were blessed with the "Fertility Stick"...only when they blessed Heather it was more of a WACK....lol...it's always Heather. We tried to contain our laughter, but once we got back on the road we couldn't contain it anymore and by the time we arrived at the Nunnery we were both in tears.

The Nunnery was interesting because it was similar to the Monasteries, only much better kept--the touch of a woman perhaps. I actually didn't know that their were Buddhist Nuns before arriving in Bhutan. I think I may have mistaken them for monks since they also shave their heads and obviously they do not wear jewelry or makeup. Glad we got that cleared up.

I have to mention that we have a lot of awkward moments with our guide throughout the course of a day--he is so attentive that sometimes we're not sure quite what to do with him. Also, he is very polite. Earlier in the day, Heather asked him what the normal age was for people to marry in Bhutan and where boys and girls meet. He kindly answered her question and even joked around with us about it. Then a few hours later he said (in a very hesitant voice) that he had a very personal question for us and he hoped we wouldn't mind him asking, but "what is the average age for people in your country to marry?". Perhaps we should be a little less blunt with our questions...