Settled into our new home

Last Saturday, we moved into our new and final home in Thimphu. We live very close to town and within walking distance to most shops and the Memorial Chorten. Straight down the hill (across the Thimphu "expressway" and the through Harmony Square where the Thai temple is located) is the Swiss Bakery and Art Cafe. We went to the Swiss Bakery on our first day to Thimphu. Apparently, this cafe was THE place maybe ten or twenty years ago but not exactly the best place now. We had veggie sandwiches and Henry had a loaf of french bread. The bread actually was pretty good and I used it later to make garlic bread (as best as I could without an oven and a two burner propane stove). Next door to the Swiss Bakery is the Art Cafe-today's version of the old Swiss Bakery I 'm guessing. We were in good company with other ex-pats. The kids ordered panini and I had the Bhutanese fried rice-very good. The cakes and pastries looked authentic but we passed as the prices are pretty authentic too!

Our new home is a two-storied duplex (pronounced "Duplay" here ). We are in Bhutanese luxury-we even have someone to meet the trash. In fact, we can leave the can out at this place. The dump trucks have "donated by Japan" printed on the sides. Bhutan is trying to start a recycling or reduce campaign. We bought our "eco-Bhutan" bag at the farmer's market last Saturday. We have a sitting area, three bathrooms, dining table with chairs (we didn't have at the cottage) and wi-fi. Our neighbors are very lovely people who have helped in many ways, including giving a ride to the hospital for my "medical clearance" for the work permit to teach. The doctor smiled saying, "you look healthy" and signed the release.

Another happy characteristic of our new home is "Daisy", our neighbor's dog. She is six years old and very well cared for. She is a cross between a german shepherd and a Bhutanese mastiff. But she looks just like my childhood dog-Grendel. She has warmed up to us and we put a water bowl out the back door for her. She really liked licking the mackerel off the bowl after I made "crabby patties" (you know-from Sponge Bob) the other night.

Last week, we visited the school where I will be teaching and the kids will be attending. I just found out that I will be teaching English, Science and Commerce to Class 10 and 11. I will also be teaching some environmental education, specifically about insects. Monday, the kids and I went to walk the grounds to see what was there. We found huge holes made by long horned beetles in walnut trees. I mean huge-as in beetle holes that I have never seen the size of before. We found one dead skeleton of a beetle-big enough to bore the holes. There are many apple, pear, and walnut trees. The school is closed for break until July 19th so we still have time to get used to the time zone and daily life here in Thimphu.

Yesterday, we "hired" a car. Our neighbor's aunt has a car that she hires out. Of-course, I will have to learn to drive here-on the left side of the road with the shift on the left side as well. Everyone seems to be pretty confident in me driving here-except me. I haven't figured out the roads-most of them are one-way. I can already feel the urge to turn right and I'm not even driving yet. And apparently, my US license will work here? Can't imagine that.

My favorite thing about our new home is the outdoor garden. It is small but quaintly paved and is home to my favorite trees-deciduous magnolias. There are two magnolias outside our windows with huge deep lavender colored blossoms. These are the same trees that I special-ordered for our house in Seattle (one was destroyed by late-night college students). We also have an apple tree full of nearly ripe apples, a persimmon tree with very young fruit, pink rose bushes, red dahlias and wild-growing nasturtiums (we see them everywhere). This morning, a group of birds were eating aphids off the apple tree right outside our living room window.

Well, we must finalize our visas today-our entry ones expire tomorrow. Best to everyone:-)