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Nov 14
in India and Bhutan in Penny

A mountain drive ..Paro to Thimpu….

Penny is once again adventuring through the mountains of Bhutan.

 

We left our beautiful mountain retreat and passed through farmland of terraced fields growing rice; turnips; potatoes; radishes; beets; and of course chillies!!!… which fire through what seems EVERY meal including breakfast. I’m not too sure I’m a fan of such burning heat in my mouth quite so early in the morning though..so boiled eggs and rice has become my staple breakfast.

 

Small red carpets of chillies dried on the metal corrugated roofs that were secured not by screws but large rocks. Fields were dotted with mountainous piles of rice stalks, which were covered by a cloth to prevent any moisture entering the store of food for the animals for winter. Pine needles were being collected in woven baskets and lumbered on the backs of people who leaned forward as a counterbalance. These pine-needles are used as bedding in the stables and help mop up and hold together the manure which is then spread in neat piles on the bare golden fields of rice stubble.

 

I saw more closely the structure of the traditional timber homes; where the crops were dried in an open area above the bedrooms that was above the living quarters for the animals. We were privileged to stay as guests in a traditional farmhouse with our beautiful hosts two nights ago… more on that shortly.

 

Our journey took us to 3988mts through a pass that was absolutely amazing. Hundreds of tall prayer flags were poked into the top of the pass and strings of coloured prayer flags were like necklaces between them all. Cars stopped to purchase fruit and mementos from the back of cars and small stalls at the top of the mountain. I found in the altitude I became quite puffed walking up the hill a bit to see more closely the prayer flags; but fortunately I didn’t have a headache from the altitude.

 

I had a try of a national game of darts – I wasn’t very good. It was like ‘field darts’… and I needed a lot more ‘umph’ to get the dart far enough. We all scattered on hand woven rugs in a small festival ground nurtured by the surrounding mountains. It was calm… sunny and felt such a beautiful place to lie on the earth and feel the land of Bhutan.

 

The drive down through the Haa valley was really pretty and the landscape became more moist and huge pine-like trees lined the winding road. We traversed the mountain and right on cue were a small herd of Yaks…. strong beasts with shiny black fur and huge horns. They seemed indifferent to the vintage cars… unlike the locals who greeted us with curiosity and with excitement as they waved their hands with smiles. The yaks just stood and looked at us. Their day continued as usual.

 

Out stay in the Haa valley was absolutely wonderful. We were guests at a small farmhouse where the farmers continued their day milking the cows; feeding their animals and harvesting their crops in preparation for the approaching winter. We removed our shoes and climbed a ladder – not with rungs…but rather a HUGE slab of timber with 6” steps cut into it. The hand-rail was a smooth branch about 4 inches above the side of the steps. The timber was soft and polished and I could feel under my thin socks where the timber had worn over the decades of climbing into their home.

 

Our conversations were translated by their son and niece. We together had much laughter and because we are also farmers, there was much in common. We all experienced such friendship.

 

During the cool evening we had a bonfire and danced for hours. I copied the steps from the local girls and it felt like I had known the steps lifetimes before. It was so much fun. One of the local ladies..a senior woman of the community came up to me and gestured with a thumbs ups that my dancing was ok.. and a man came over and translated her words and told me my dancing was wonderful. She held my hands ..and in mine I could feel the roughness of her life of working in the fields.

 

The morning was exquisite. The roosters crowed as the white frost hung on to every surface.. and the sky was so blue with the air fresh and clean. That changed quickly as we descended toward Thimpu through some very pretty towns and wonderful landscape; but it became hazy with the increase in small fires, manufacturing and pollution from the higher populated areas. It became much drier and the rocks more exposed as we came closer to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan.

 

The mountain water was so clear… and a shade of aqua.. and the last of the monsoon raced through the rivers – already being filtered by the mountains so it was absolutely pristine….and cold!

 

Here in Thimpu it is time to look around… and I purchased a beautiful piece of fabric to wear as a full Kira with some Bhutanesse bling …which was lovely to wear last night at dinner here at the Tag in Thimpu. Later today we are driving to another valley…. sorry can’t recall just now.. so stay tuned.

 

Please pop to my gallery to drive with me from Paro to Thimpu

IMG_3993 IMG_4047 IMG_4081 IMG_4078 IMG_4072 IMG_4059 IMG_4111 IMG_4123 IMG_4127 IMG_4144 IMG_4176 IMG_4153 IMG_4152 IMG_4179 IMG_4222 IMG_4219 IMG_4225 IMG_4226 IMG_4252 IMG_4242 IMG_4285 IMG_4316 IMG_4352 IMG_4369 IMG_4420 IMG_4465 IMG_4473 IMG_4468 IMG_4497 IMG_4546 IMG_4572 IMG_4607 IMG_4633 IMG_4615

 

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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.