Excursion to the Lhakang

Xavier and I had a nice break from routine this afternoon when we accompanied my class two students on their Dzongkha excursion to the Lhakang (monastery) up the hill behind our house.

It was a very pleasantly warm afternoon so the boys pulled the tops if their ghos down and the girls shed their black taegos (outer blouses). I felt overdressed in my kira for the steep walk up the dusty hill.

It was my first time to go inside the monastery and it was nice to go with all my favourite kids.  The students had worked in groups to compose questions in Dzongkha to ask a monk at the monastery. I was the photographer and videoed the interviews, unfortunately not understanding the questions or the answers. I could tell the students were using their very best manners when speaking to the monk. It was good for me to see my students who are doing their very best to learn English with me as language learners in Dzongkha as well. They are working very hard.

Afterwards we walked back down the hill and the conversation was quite fascinating.  It seems like some of the girls have a crush on their new Australian classmate! Xavier was lapping up all the attention! After a while I joined in with the fun and let them know that Xavier already has a girlfriend in Australia. This encouraged a lot of giggling! Xavier had the last word though by telling us he has a Bhutanese girlfriend! I'll keep her identity a secret!!

It was so nice to have some casual time with the kids, soaking up the sun and mountain views. I loved seeing Xavier so at ease with his new charos (friends), both boys and girls (including his classmate who wants to be king of Australia when he grows up!). He fits in really well in class two and I love that we get to spend so much time together still.

Here's some photos from the day (still no broadband, I would love to write captions!).