maibey

If you've spoken with me at all over the past few weeks, or if you've received random text messages from me concerning a country you know you've heard of at least once or twice, then you realize that my obsession with the takin:

has morphed into a full-fledged drool fest over the country that is lucky enough to have this amazing beast as its national animal:

Top Ten Reasons to Love Bhutan
(and consider moving to China with me in order to sneak into the country and start a commune):

10) The State religion is Drukpa Kagyupa, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism. While some may have a difficult time with the idea of a state religion, it isn't easy to find fault with Buddhism itself. This leads me to my next point...

9) There is relatively little crime in Bhutan. Violence is not a problem and it is one of the safest countries in the world.

8) Apparently, it is also safe for animals, as there is a wide variety of vegetarian dishes in the local cuisine. "Bhutanese food has one predominant flavor - chili." Niiice. Shamu-datsi - a mushroom, cheese and chili dish. Cheese and chili, accompanied with rice, comprise most of the meals. Damn, how good does that sound?

7) You're probably thinking one might gain a few extra pounds with all that cheese. Not a problem. Just walking in this country provides fantastic exercise, given that it's situated all up in the Himalayan grill. In other words, there is only one airport in the country, in the city of Paro, because Paro happens to contain the one section of flat land large enough to host a landing strip.

6) In addition, don't expect to watch too much TV, as the Bhutanese government just legalized it in 1999. They don't like the idea of western culture infiltrating their little paradise.

5)

Um, that's a flag I can get behind.

4) The Bhutanese people are required by state law to wear, on many occassions, traditional Bhutanese dress. That means seeing something like this:

rather than this:

3) In 1999, Bhutan banned plastic bags. That, I think, is completely rad.

2) Did I mention the takin?

1) Most people in Bhutan are poor. This takes the sting off that most horrible nag of all time: potential. Living up to it or wasting it, who needs that kind of pressure? In Bhutan, wealth is measured by GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS. Yep, the Bhutanese value well-being, not consumption.
Hot damn, how can you resist?