Day Four

Needless to say, when I got to work today, the first thing I did was call Tshering Tashi. When I spoke to him, I felt absolutely terrible as about 10 Australians had showed up (the entire contingent from what I can gather), he had worn his Gho and even prepared a speech for me to welcome me to Bhutan.

AARRRGGHHH how bad can one feel. Anyway, we went for lunch later that day and all was forgiven. He is a really nice guy and also belongs to the Mountain bike club, so I’m going to investigate this as well.

I’m also going to check out the golf course (I think), as who can pass up the opportunity of playing golf at 2350 metres? It’s the highest golf course in the world, and from what I can gather the thin air has some effect on how fast the ball travels through the air and so you need to adjust your drive (I have no bloody idea what you have to adjust as I am not a golf player – needless to say it effects something and it’s because of the air).

I also spoke with Megan and after many apologies, I have bribed her with Tim Tams and we are meeting for a cuppa tomorrow afternoon, so we can catch up.

I haven’t emailed all the other ABFA members yet as the email access at work is painful to say the least, but I will tomorrow as soon as I get a work email address. At least I prepared myself when I knew I would be leaving my beloved broadband at home.

So I started work today and after a brief moment of hesitation, I have submersed myself in reports and other information to set me on the road to develop campaign materials for their National HIV/AIDS program. I won’t go into too much detail, other than to say that they have one radio station, one TV station, one newspaper and not may other methods for promotion. I think I’m going to have to set up some other methods.

Awareness amongst those aged between 15 – 25 years of HIV/AIDS is quite high with 90%+ awareness of the disease in both urban and regional areas. This is due to the message being widely promoted via these media and also via health workers. The Health workers however do not have any materials to leave with youth, and motivation and capacity within the local government areas is lacking.

At a first glance, it appears that education materials may need to be developed, appropriate health promotion program materials need to be developed (for community based education workshops), advocacy and education needs to occur within government, campaign materials need to be developed, and we need to overcome the societal reluctance to talk about sex and condoms..oh.. then there is condom social marketing and improving accessibility to condoms as well. Hmm.. methinks my three months will be very very busy.

I’m waiting for Sonam to get back from Geneva before we meet and discuss what it is they actually want me to do. I’m pretty sure I’ll stick with the first plan to develop the education materials and develop the nationwide campaign in the time that I have.

As to the Bhutan experience, I am still loving it. I had my first experience of the dogs last night. The dog that lives at this house was barking ALL night and I’m pretty sure he was outside my room. I’m pretty sure he stopped at about 4.30, as I got my ear plugs out at 4am. I had heard about the dogs and their barking at night before I arrived, but again it’s another one of those things where you need to experience it to believe it.

On the first night I heard a choir of dogs barking and the sound reverberates throughout the valley. They were loud and there was many. There are loads of stray dogs around and I guess they all like to have a chat, and all at once mind you. It was at that point I was stoked Rinchen had chosen this guesthouse which is just on the outskirts of the city and away from the majority of our canine friends. It would be sleeping hell to be living in the centre of the city.

So I was a bit bummed last night when the house dog wanted to join in the sing-a-long, but hey I didn’t pack four packets of earplugs for nothing. I had been forewarned. Thanks to Chris and Steve!

Okay going back to a first impression I had on day one, but forgot to write, and that was my impressions about the Bhutanese people. They are the friendliest, most hospitable people and are just lovely to deal with.

I know this is going to sounds strange, simplistic and is not intended to be patronising, however the Bhutanese remind me of Santa’s elves. Now I know that does sound patronising, and I am only four days into this stay, but hear me out.

They are small in height, live in a remote and hidden valley, have wonderfully painted and cute houses, they do wonderful things to help you and are always ready to smile. Seriously, they could be like elves, not oopa loompas, elves. And from what I can gather their King could almost be described as Santa they love him so much.

The King is just so loved by his people. From what I have read he really puts his people first. Rinchen has also told me that if someone isn’t happy for whatever reason and feels they have been unfairly treated, they can actually ask to see the King, and he will meet with them! How cool is that?!.. and oh.. the King’s phone number is in the phone book.. no word of a lie.

However this accessibility does not assume that he has plenty of time on his hands, he is a very busy man, and people would have to be particularly aggrieved to want to see him.

I have read old reports in the local paper that when the King announced his abdication (only in December 2005), many tears were shed by his people. They really do not want him to step down. It is so touching and refreshing to know the country is lead by such a strong leader and that the people love him for it. I feel there are so many things we can learn from a man like this and from a country like this. Not the least being more elf like.