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Nov 15
in India and Bhutan in Penny

What a road!!!! Landslides…. Curves…. And never-ending roadworks.

What a road!!!! Landslides…. Curves…. And never-ending roadworks.

..and when I say never-ending…. I don’t just mean the 60km we travelled from Thimphu to Punakha – I mean I just don’t understand how there will ever be a solution to the constant road-slips and landslides here; when the widening of the main road from the east to the west of the country digs into the base of the steep loose soil and when it rains….the mountain just slides down on to the road.

 

We were speaking to a lady from Australia (who incidentally knows my sister in Byron Bay – small world hey!!) and she is doing work here and said last month six people were killed at 1pm in the afternoon from a landslip; and her colleagues were trapped on the other side of a landslip for 2 days and had to sleep in their cars until it was navigable.

 

Before our wonderful drive to Punakha though, I had an amazing time in Thimphu. We stayed at the beautiful Taj; and I spent the morning chatting to people and wandering through all the handicraft markets. It was an absolute delight to not have to fend off persistent nagging stall holders like in Morocco. I hope that never happens here. I could look and purchase at my leisure and it was a delight. I could chat and really look at the incredible handiwork of all the artists.

 

The weaving of cloth here is absolutely incredible. The craftsmanship is amazing and I purchased a beautiful piece of cloth to wear as a full Kira. It is held by 2 clasps on either shoulder, wrapped around and tied tightly around my waist by a beautifully hand woven wide belt. When next I wear it I will get a photo to post.

 

Making new friendships here in Bhutan has been such an enriching part of my journey; and once again at the Handcraft Emporium we had a wonderful time and it was humbling to have made such beautiful connections; in particular a beautiful young woman with whom I made a very special connection with and hugged so lovingly when we said goodbye.

 

The drive however was fabulous for us. Penny loves and handles the bumpy winding conditions so well and because we are high and have lots of clearance, we could see over the steep embankment through the high altitude rainforest – which was a bit scary at times..and I must say my body felt a bit like jelly a couple of times when I looked down to see a seep wall of ‘nothing’.

 

The cloud and mist and cold enveloped us as we stopped at the Drug Wangyal Chortens which were built in 2005 in memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in the processs of removing the Assames militants in the south.

 

Excavators reached their cumbersome arm across the road and at times seemed to reach through the dust over the small cars as they climbed slowly up the mountain. In sections the road collapsed, leaving huge holes which slid down the steep slope.

 

It was a bumpy and very slow drive… 60km in 3 hours but wonderful…and very fun.. and now here in Punakha we are soon off to white water rafting and visiting a Dzong and temple later today.

 

Until next time.

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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.