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Nov 20
in India and Bhutan in Penny

Laughter with weavers and a quiet day

We left the exquisite misty mountain views at Trongsa….and at reception our huge old-fashioned key which was attached to a fluffy teddy-bear. I couldn’t quite work out the significance of that – but it made me smile.

 

We had a short drive today toward Bumthang…. not much roadworks… and along really a pretty mountain and into a more open landscape. The past few days has been pretty arduous on Max because it has literally been one curve after another ….up the mountain ..down the mountain….winding every 100mts or so. We mostly stayed in second or 3rd gear with an average of about 20 or 30kms an hour. …. And it was BUMPY!!! The road-works were unrelenting and we both had to be vigilant for oncoming traffic. It is pretty full on… and sometimes I forget to watch out for the Tulip distance in my route book because I am so engrossed in watching the road. Fortunately it isn’t a competition and it is usually just following the main road.

 

Every moment is one of adventure, and I never know what is next. In front of us we saw Alistair stopped, and to the left were two women who were preparing the warp of their next weaving project. I gestured whether it would be ok to come and look and we were welcomed with smiles.

 

The smooth, round timber was slid out of the holes on the vertical gate-posts by Max; and we walked past a small area of vegetables to a concrete path where the two women were working. I sat beside one of them whilst the other pulled all the ling blue threads and rolled it tightly. I could see all the heddles had been set in the thread, ready to start weaving their intricate traditional designs.

 

It soon became apparent that our words were not offering any real communication – but there was much laughter in this realization. One of the ladies scurried inside and came out with some exquisite weaving and Max spoke the language of money – which WAS understood. We each purchased some beautiful hand weaving items…. directly from the weavers. It was a wonderful experience.

 

Descending into the valley I could see splashes of colour strung drying…skeins of wool to be used in weaving. Mats and rugs were also drying or airing over railings or lines.

 

The forest changed more to pines and there were several sawmills and stacks of logs for building; quite a strong timber area I think. The road became less bumpy with fewer roadworks… and there were several places where boxes of beehives were on the ground beside the large wooden family homes.

 

A short drive to Bumthang, lunch then to the most amazing Monastery I have ever seen. The Tamzhing Monastery was built in 1501 and has such an incredible feeling. I kept sensing there was some sort of presence to my right… and kept looking to my side. I could feel something there. It was quite beautiful though this feeling.. Not creepy or scary at all.

 

With the background rhythm of a drum gently pulsing, I walked in a clockwise direction – as is done in everything in Buddhism; through what seemed like rectangular walled tunnel which formed the external perimeter of a prayer/ ritual room. This dark walkway with a smooth dirt floor formed the track for pilgrims to wear a chain-mail tabard and circle three times. I’m not quite sure of the entire significance of this though.

 

The artwork on the walls of this dark pathway was exquisite. A unicorn. Buddha in different forms. Frescoes which told stories. I would love to go back and learn more about what the paintings and drawings represented. I felt the smooth wooden rungs of a ladder through my socks as I climber to the upper level; where once again the walls were lined with exquisite artwork.

 

I returned to the ritual room and wanted to feel what it was like to meditate in there. I felt myself coming to a place of silence and witnessing my random thoughts pass …and spontaneously chanted Aummmm. It felt lovely.

 

Back to Bumthang town to browse the handcraft shops and a quiet night with a fabulous old fashioned wooden fire stove in our room. A long day today to Mongar.

 

Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-1 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-2 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-3 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-4 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-5 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-6 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-7 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-8 Julie Stephenson Bhutan Trongsa to Bumthang-9

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About the Author: Julie
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

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skeinydipping

I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have t I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have touched; have loved; have created; have worked; have nurtured. My hands.   

I looked down and saw on my wrist and fingers items from around the world which have so many stories; items which have all been created from the heart and made by the hands of others. 

I looked down and saw beautiful yarn. Yarn which has been handled carefully through shearing, dyeing, skeining, balling; and now being knit in my beautiful hands. 

My hands are one of my gifts. This year I’ve really missed the touch of another with my hands, to feel the heart of another through my fingertips; but so grateful and love my hands which touch and feel; work and play!

What do you see when you look at your hands?

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Knitting a fabulous  #slipstravaganzamkal by @westknits .
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#gratitudeattitude #westknitsarethebestknits #westknitsmkal2020 #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld #knittersofaustralia #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #handmade #handmadejewellery #fromtheheart #createeveryday #livetotravel #healing #healinghands #creativehands
My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. 

COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. 

I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content.

My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. 

I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. 
You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. 

How do you express your life’s stories?
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#weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those “....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
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2017 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.