Simple Village School Photo Right?

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A simple classroom shot in a village school you would say. Well, there’s more to this photo than that as you will read below.

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The story behind the photo

This is indeed a simple classroom shot in a village school. It happens to be taken in Sakteng, the furthest east village in the remote and isolated Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. If you haven’t heard of Bhutan or don’t know where it is, fear not! Neither had I when my wife first suggested I might enjoy a visit and “my kind of photography.” I did! This photo was taken on my second, more adventurous visit.

The village of Sakteng is only accessible on foot by a long and arduous three-day trek which takes one from 1000 meters above sea level up to 3,500 meters and back down to 2000 or so, close to the eastern border with India.

We started the trek in an Indian version of a Jeep, driving along farm roads and tracks from Rangjung until we arrived at Changmey. “We” consisted of my guide Anil (unguided tourism is not permitted in Bhutan), driver Bhim who was coming along for the walk and a break from very difficult driving, and trekking guide and camp cook, Karma. From Changmey we drove to Tchaling where we met our horseman, Lama Phuntsho, and his three sturdy trek ponies, which were given the task of carrying our gear (including camping and all cooking equipment complete with propane gas cylinders). After climbing up and down what seemed like two or three mountain ranges for an estimated 55 km, we arrived very late at night in total darkness at the village of Merak, our first stop. I slept in the household shrine of a Brokpa family who offer homestays for passing trekkers.

The next morning, after spending some time exploring the village and meeting the Brokpa villagers, we moved on, up and over very steep mountain trails and across fast flowing rivers, to our campsite not far from the village of Sakteng. After a comfortable night at a remarkably efficiently assembled camp, we trekked the remaining couple of hours into the village.

I was finding the trek very arduous and exhausting in places as well as slippery and perilous from the point of view of protecting my camera and gear. Our guide mentioned that the King and Queen of Bhutan, on their annual visits to the village of Sakteng, followed exactly the same route on foot. I stopped complaining. I remain in awe. After all, they could fly in by helicopter.

We spent two nights in Sakteng. It was a visit I shall never forget. The villagers were very friendly and fun. One of the highlights of the stay was a visit – which turned into several visits – to the local school, prekindergarten through Class 7. The principal of the school, Jigme Dorji (now earning  his master’s degree in Australia) was more than hospitable. The kids were exemplary. I was welcomed into the classrooms and allowed to photograph and video in three different classes. I handed out sweets (candies) to all the kids in each classroom. which they politely accepted these with both hands, Bhutan style, each one saying “Thank you, Sir.” The older kids (Class 7) sang some group songs for me in class. I was almost in tears to be honest. I photographed and videoed them lining up for lunch, giving thanks for their food, some of the students serving the others, then all sitting down in neat lines on the floor of the dining area and eating their lunch, well mannered, alive but not noisy, fun to be around.

The whole experience is one I shall never forget. I would love to go back and stay longer with these people, an extraordinary community somehow from the past but timeless. The Brokpas came from Tibet and settled in Eastern Bhutan. They herd yaks, spin and weave, farm, trade with the towns of Eastern Bhutan, still wear animal skins and are kind, good humored, environmentally conscious citizens of the planet.

I left Sakteng somehow wishing I didn’t have to move on. I feel I only scraped the surface and yet the village left an indelible mark on my universe. I couldn’t help wondering how long it would remain so unspoiled. Already we saw a road under construction that would bring motorized vehicles to the village. I felt it creaking under the pressure of the “civilized” world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1540342274460-07866046-b503-3″ include=”35342,35334,35333,35336,35338,35339″][vc_column_text]Click on the images to enlarge. You can also view them as a slideshow.

Below is a video which will give you the bigger picture of the whole trek, the people, the terrain.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZwbGF5ZXIudmltZW8uY29tJTJGdmlkZW8lMkYxOTcyMTkzNTYlMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRCUyMjY0MCUyMiUyMGhlaWdodCUzRCUyMjM2MCUyMiUyMGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyJTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMHdlYmtpdGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUyMG1vemFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUyMGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRQ==[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Prints of any of the images in this post or on my website are for sale in my shop here (archival paper, canvas or metal). I am working on an extensive multimedia book on Bhutan. I estimate it will take another trip to complete and I plan to make this trip in the spring of 2019 and then work on completing the book. I hope to have a printed version available as well as digital versions for all platforms.

I am always keen to hear from you. You can contact me any time with questions or feedback.

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