MEADOWS AND MOUNTAINS - THE RAELMOTENG WAY OF LIFE

A kind of Photo Journalism!

Great Indian Poet, Rabindranath Tagore praised the trees thus, “Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven" and here we have ample trees which are further beautified by meadows and mountains of unparalleled beauty. Enjoy. Imagine life without trees, it would be pretty much like head without hairs. I love this place.

Figure 1. A fully environmental friendly home amidst the green assortment of plants in Raelmoteng is cozy and warm. "Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises" is what Pedro Calderon de la Barca has to say and I believe it is true.

Figure 2. View of Raelmoteng Lhakhang towards the evening with the shadow of setting sun up the Phomoche Valley. Just as John Ruskin said, “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather" and the weather here is always refreshing. No annoyances only enjoyments.

Figure 3. Environmentalist Rachel Carson notes that, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts” and I am amused by what she means. I believe her words in every sense. Look at this morning scene from Raelmoteng. Simply stunning! 

Figure 4. I find a lot of sense in Walt Whitman, an American essayist who wrote, “Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed” because there is no reason for anyone not to love a life in a place where one could walk through gardens full of beautiful flowers with sweet fragrance every morning and evening. Raelmoteng is one such place which has the potential to provide us this life full of flowers around.

Figure 5. The tradition and custom of mountain people hoisting prayer flags of different colour enhances the beauty of the mountainsides and the meadows. The flags however are not put up for fun. They are for the well being of the people living around or for those who have already expired. These flags are believed to console the struggling souls of dead people or bring forth peace and tranquility to the nearby dwellers. If you sit on a strategically advantageous spot and look at the meadows and mountains around Raelmoteng, you may recall Jane Austen, and English Novelist who put “To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon the verdant green hills is the most perfect refreshment.” I assure you, the place is refreshing. 

Figure 6. The house is built of timber, the horses feed on medicinal plants, and people inhale pure oxygen. The place is organic in every sense. Beautiful. I love it. Aristotle said, "Nature does nothing uselessly" and here nature takes care of everything. They have enough to eat, drink and live. 

Figure 7. Have anyone seen heaven? I think I have seen one, that's Raelmoteng, a place that have a lot of story to tell. If Jules Renard, a French author who said, "On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it" was around today, he could have made his phrase even stronger and more beautiful. This place is amazing.

Figure 8. In Thrizompa (a place 20 minute walk from Raelmoteng), the dictum of Plautis who noted, “The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase these things with money” changes as the place offer you Arra and Bangchang (local alcohol), Shakam (dried meat), Chugo (locally hardened cheese) and Cheese free of cost. Do not miss this wood house. They have something to offer you free of cost .

Figure 9. Thrizompa from further angle. Simply beautiful. I love the way this people live. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said “The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain” so is the case here. People here don't bother rain, sun or cloud. They just smile.

Figure 10. Thrimzompa belongs to Aii Kezang (the one serving us sooja). How envious? Mother of several people staying around Singye Dzong, Samtenling (Shingphel), Raelmoteng, Phomoche and Thangchenpo, she is Ama for all kinds of people. Always smiling, she will never let a new person pass her place without at least a cup of tea. I really like her jovial nature. James Dean has to say that “I also became close to nature and am now able to appreciate the beauty with which this world is endowed.” So, I like Aii Kezang and her surroundings.

Figure 11. In between Raelmoteng and Thrizompa, this age-old grinding machine has long history which I will not spell it out here. But believe me the dialogue between Pascal and Jigme is interesting. Blaise Pascal, "Beauty is a harmonious relation between something in our nature and the quality of the object which delights us." Jigme: “Yea, I believe you Pascal.”

Figure 12. The Raelmoteng Community people never worried about things beyond their yaks, happiness and enjoyment with the nature. We named one of them Madhuri after Indian Actress Madhuri Dixit. If they dress up well, they will surely look like one. But I think they are happy the way they are, so never think of decorating themselves with things they wouldn't be comfortable with. Any guess who is Madhuri here?

Figure 13. But to reach Raelmoteng we need to walk three days and it is not easy. I sat in this cave for 6 times in different year the latest one being in 2011 and I still intend to sit there. Called Toe Toe Japhu, it is one resting place that will relieve you of your sweat on the third day to Raelmoteng. Edward Abbey's  “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds" becomes my prayer whenever I am on this trail.

Figure 14. No matter what, just take me into the jungles and let me get immersed inside them. John Muir's line, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves” are my dreams when I climb these mountains. This is the climb you will face after crossing Raelmoteng if you intend to be in Singye Dzong, Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal's Thrinley Nye.

Disclaimer

This is my personal thought and anything written here is not intended to harm or promote people or things mentioned here. No one is authorized to use the content of this blog for either official, personal or legal purposes. People mentioned here in are fictitious characters and any resemblance to anyone with some characters or more are purely coincidence.