My 21 Days Journey from Phuentsholing to Thimphu 

Since the start of the pandemic, from my point of view, the real front liners are the people living in the southern borders. Of course, one can not deny the sacrifice of frontline workers and volunteers including dessups, armed personals and many others who are the bullet of Bhutan's pandemic resistance. However, I personally feel that people of the south has sacrificed everything to contain the virus within the southern borders and not spread it to the rest of country. When I say this, by virtue of staying in the south, I think I may be congratulating myself but I hope that I will make my points clear as I write down. If I don't make any sense, please forgive me for my ignorance. 

The constant fear of getting infected by the virus just because you are located at the walking distance of one of the world's most deadliest outbreak area is equally competed by the difficulties of exiting the town. As expected the town detected a positive case from the community on 16th of April, 2021 and it has been locked down for the last 3 months. People has lost jobs and livelihoods and businesses were shattered but the virus has been not backing up besides the strict protocols the authorities issued and executed. Somehow, it may not be mysterious, but the virus kept on emerging and the lockdown kept on prolonging. When the health is suffering, the economy and education is equally suffering and Phuentsholing has no different story to tell. 

The Journey

I registered to leave the town for a brief vacation in the middle of lockdown i.e., on 2nd June. Like the legend of buffalo waiting for the return of yak, I waited for the call to be called to quarantine center to be sent from Phuntsholing. Each day, I waited for the call that never came. Even followed calls were never received sometimes. However, on 30th June, almost after a month of waiting, I was called to be tested to be sent to quarantine facility in Punakha. 

Excited I exited in a convey from Phuentsholing RRCO ground after waiting for nearly two hours to be briefed by the army man on duty on 1st July. It was a convoy where two buses led us from the front with seventeen private cars following them followed by two buses from behind. Surveillance were strict. Each check post would not sent us without checking every cars and verifying in their white printed sheet. After almost one and half hours, we finally exited Sorchen, the pandemic gate to the south. 

Summer roads are never a smooth ride. I have not had a long drive for the last 4 months or so. I was little worried but it was nothing compared to the worries of staying in the lockdown, alone, depressed. The journey is never really exciting though. The roads were slippery and foggy, just another summer roads. Seldom, the light showers of rain made the journey more difficult, or may be auspicious, in terms of religious beliefs, it is called the shower of flowers. 

As usual, I offered the prayers to every Buddhist monastery I come across on the way. My personal favorite place to offer prayers is the huge rock on the way, painted white, believed to be blessed stone of Saint Tertoen (treasure revealer) Drukdra Dorji. 

It was a strict journey whereby you are not allowed to halt despite anything. Even ambulances were giving us a way. We halted for toilet and lunch though. I had a lunch alone in my car, and I realized that with this hair of mine which didn't see barber for the last four months, and having a packed lunch like this, I felt like I am the son of a step mother. After a tedious journey we crossed Chuzom, crossed Thimphu and reached Dochula. We met our escorts, the policemen from Punakha there. I offered my prayers there, but I am not sure what was my prayers but I am pretty sure that it was self-centered. 

As we exited Dochula, I was really hopeful to come back and offer my prayers to the 108 symbolic stupas after seven days of quarantine. It is a beautiful pass where one can have a panoramic view of Himalayas.