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On my left, is the
highest mountain peak I have ever seen. To my right is a 5
story Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan.
A Chorten, or Stupa, is a symbol of enlightened mind. If you
had to use just two words, the best definition might be
Spiritual Monument. A great number of people are
circumambulating around it, counting mantras with their
prayer beads. Monks in red robes, some with Nike tuke’s are
prevalent. We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
I flew into Paro on New Year’s day, on a plane that had to
dive between two mountain ranges, landing in the beautiful
Paro Valley. I stepped out of the plane breathing air so
clean it felt like pure oxygen.
This country is extraordinary. There are very few tourists
at the moment, only visitors on work visas. By design, it is
very expensive to visit, with a daily tarriff of up to
$250US per day. However, beyond that prices are very low for
basic living costs. The tourist season is during March,
April and May.
The accommodations are way beyond my expectations; Villa
Italia is Bhutan on the outside, Italy on the inside. The
owners are Patrizia, 100% Italian, and her husband Ugyen,
100% Bhutanese, and a very well respected government
Minister. He was at one time the Ambassador to the United
Nations, so their son, also Ugyen, was born in New York.
Half Italian, half Bhutanese, with a New York accent! Laura
is the youngest, a beautiful singer and most interesting
guide.
The golf course reminds me of the Highland Links in Cape
Breton; at no time is the view less than spectacular. The
juniors I have worked with so far are extremely respectful
and polite. Their English is good, and we understand each
other. They do add some local colour 'I will help you that,
Sir', and 'My team is winnering, Coach'.
It’s a Small World After All
On my way to the course (30 minute walk), my cell phone
rang. The voice on the other end was clearly Canadian 'Hi,
my name is Jeff Orr; Orr as in Bobby. My associate Andrew
and I are at the golf course, meeting with an Education
Department official. We’re both from Nova Scotia! We heard
you were here from the course manager, who gave us this
number'. I walked in the door one minute after hanging up.
They are with an ongoing program sponsored by St. FX
University. I won’t get into any more detail, other than in
the clubhouse of what has been called 'the most remote golf
course in the world', I bumped in to a Nova Scotian wearing
the famous X ring.
Learning is Learning
I gave a lesson today to a businessman who was at one time
one of the best archers in the country, archery being the
national sport. He took up the game 8 months ago with a
passion, quitting archery because he felt golf produced more
camaraderie amongst competitors. (Reminds me that golf was
once banned in Scotland, because it detracted from archery
practice, which in turn weakened the military).
He had a wicked slice, and the harder he hit it, the more it
would slice. A little grip change, a little forearm rotation
through impact, and he was hitting it swell. Once his 'gun
started shooting straight', he could now use those super
aiming powers learned in archery. The ball shag boy was
catching most of his drives after one bounce, without having
to move much. (No range ball pickers here. The caddies and
shag boys are all in the junior program).
Tomorrow is the first on-course instruction day, I look
forward to playing golf at 7000 feet. |
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