Kuzuzangpola, everybody! Kuzuzangpola means hello in Dzongkha, the language of Bhutan. That's where I am now. Bhutan is in Asia and it's a really small country in the Himalayas with a lot of snow-capped mountains. Most people in Bhutan practice Buddhism and there are lots of temples and monasteries. I really like the colorful prayer wheels in the temples. A prayer wheel is like a big giant top that you spin with your hand. Inside, they have paper with prayers written on them. You have to spin the wheel clockwise and when the wheel goes around once, it rings a bell. One ring equals one prayer. Lots of people spin the prayer wheels with prayer beads in their hands. Prayer beads have 108 beads. You are supposed to go around in a circle, holding each one with your fingers while saying a mantra. A mantra is a phrase you say over and over like praying for good health or good fortune.
One day, we went to a big festival at a temple where people were performing traditional Bhutanese dances. The dancers wore really cool masks that
looked like devils, meant to scare away the evil spirits. A Lama (that's the
head monk) was at the celebration, and the National Geographic group we
were with in Bhutan gave an offering to the temple. Tyler and I got to
present the offering to the Lama and then he blessed the special
ceremonial scarves we had. The festival was great. I made origami cranes and balls that I gave to the kids there. They really liked them.
Bhutan is such a beautiful country. I love it here. This has been one of my favorite places of the trip so far.
Stefan, I was blessed by the jy kempo when i lived in Bhutan and I still have the little piece of string that he gave me. When I was born many monks came through our house with incense, rice, blessed water and prayers...they spent a whole day chanting prayers. One day when I am an adult I will go back and visit all the beautiful places and my freinds. Did you know that you start school in Bhutan when you can reach your arm over your head and touch your other shoulder! I live in Spain now with my mum and my dad lives in the San Juan Islands, USA.
Wow, you handed in something to him. What was it? Maybe some pictures that you've taken or a letter? You look excited because of the fact that you actulally met him and get blessed. Good experience!