A brief return to Oz

Today I am at home with a bit of a quesy stomach, the result of eating two unwashed plums yesterday. Not good. I have become very good friends with Mr Porcelain Bowl. I should know better than to eat any unwashed fruit in this country, so I know I was tempting fate when I did it.
For me little bit of gastro is like my attitude towards hangovers. It is okay to have them every now and again, as it actually forces me to stop, stay at home, rest and do not much. So thankfully I have my Lord of the Rings novel to keep me company and also my overdue blog to update.
It's a shame it has happened today as Mag (my other Aussie mate here) rang me about rockclimbing. I have been wanting to go for ages, and I really felt like going today, but alas it will have to wait until I come back.

Next Saturday I am leaving for a quick jaunt back to Oz to attend to a couple of things. Now that will be in interesting experience. Two weeks back in the land of rush. Appointments, catchups and endless retelling of stories about my experience in Bhutan. I have already thought I would just prepare a briefing note and give it to everyone before I get home, so that all the common questions are answered! Such a cynic I am!

I've only had time to think about my return home yesterday and now (due to gastro) today. I have written a list of all the things I am taking home, and now I have just got to think about what I want to do when I go there, and what is it that I'll want to bring back. What is it that I actually miss?

Apart from the obvious - family, friends and significant moments (the birth of my nephew Issac, three engagement parties and a wedding), what is it that would make my life a little easier here in Bhutan?

In the first week I arrived I started a list, so I'll review that and see what is still relevant. Now that I have an oven, I want some baking trays, vanilla essence and a few other kitchen essentials so I can get baking! I have missed that. I'm also looking forward to a new pair of running shoes, getting my hair done and bringing back some clothes.

I also so looking forward to going to Karrinyup Shopping Centre just so I don't have to fossick through shops and to find clothing in my size easily. Ah it's the small things I miss. The shopping centre experience will be savoured in Perth as shopping in Thimphu needs to be experienced to be believed.

I love discussing Thimphus weird and whacky shops here with the other expats. We often discuss the most random shops we have found. It's great fun. Let me explain why.

At the top of the list of 'most random shops in Thimphu' is the Zimdra Automobile Shop in the heart of town. It is located right next to the Art Cafe a favoured hangout to get soup and salad, so there is lots of expat throughput to verify it's place at the top of the list.

This car show room not only sells the latest Suzuki Maruti or Suzuki Alto car, it also has a nice selection of mango juice, tinned fruit and other such delectables you can purchase. You got it. Out the front of the shop there are cars ready for you to test drive or to pick up, and in the window is a couple of asles of juices. Such a classic, and not atypical let me tell you.

We often chat about it when we wander past. I mean surely the grocery stock must move else they wouldn't have it there. Perhaps we underestimate the power of food when looking at the next auto investment you are going to make. You know a prospective customer could be feeling a little peckish, they could fancy some tinned fruit cocktail and you could offer it to them in the store, and have enough time to close the deal! Another reasonable explaination could be that if you're with your wife, the hubbie could be looking at the latest auto action and she can do a spot of shopping. Who knows.. but many a hypothesis is made!

Running a close second is the shop in Changlam Plaza. It sells frozen pork, beef or fish - (imported from India) along with some sports water bottles, cheap imitiation Gucci sunglasses and sports trophys. Yes.. you got it.. sports tropies. It's not like they are the biggest sporting nation around - anyone who has watched the movie The Cup can verify that one.

In third place is the shop that sell Dunlop car tyres that also sells hiking boots. Now that I can understand...at a stretch. Think about it....Shoes for your car.. shoes for your feet. It could work. There is some logic there. It still makes third place tho'.

Some other interesting shops include the Shop that sells and makes 'garments for monks'. This is an entire shop full of red, yellow and orange clothing. Love it. It's my personal favourite. Then there is the 8/11. I'm sure that's Thimphu's version of the 7/11 shops in the US, but operating on BST (Bhutan Stretchable Time), 8am is a more appropriate time to open for business. Nothing like capitalising on an already established international brand. Smart move.

So back to my 'what do I miss from Australia' question. On the top of the list of things that I miss is actually swimming. I haven't broken it to my sister yet, but I have been missing the pool so much I want her to stop by Beatty Park on the way home from the airport so I can have a quick dip and do a few laps. Is that crazy? I know it sounds a little unusual, but I just need a fix, I swear!

I have been so suprised by how not having a pool here has affected me - oh how I am looking forward to swimming each morning, a dip at Cott beach, followed by coffee and brekkie at the Blue Duck..Ahh.. the simple things in life.

Carolyn is also leaving to spend four weeks in Australia. She arrives in Oz, the day I leave. This morning we were discussing what we were looking forward to. She is going direct from the airport to Bondi for a coffee and brekky, me..the pool then hopefully mum's for a roast.

That will be great. In fact two weeks off will be great, but I know I'll be pretty manic when I'm there. I'm going to make a point to chill out and rest. Who would have thought I would be needing to chill out and rest having just left Bhutan.

What I am most looking forward to however is what I will miss most about Bhutan. For me it will be two weeks back home, then returning for the final four and a half months in the Land of the Thunder Dragon. I think my time home will be a timely cultural shock so I can fully appreciate all the amazing things that I experience and take for granted in Bhutan that are now been so integrated into my current way of life.

My trip back will give me the opportunity most expats or visitors to Bhutan don't have. To leave, get a reality check, then come back with time to fully explore and experience the best of what country is about.

Tashi Delek.