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| Image: Sahar Rai |
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| Image: Sahar Rai |
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| Image: Sahar Rai |
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| Image: Sahar Rai |
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| Image: Sahar Rai |
In a land where Kangaroos roamed freely, two strangers from the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan found themselves in a dreamland. We met as newcomers to Australia, each feeling like an outsider in a land that was so different from our beloved Bhutan. Little did I know that this chance encounter would evolve into a lasting friendship.
As time passed, Tashi and I went from being strangers to close friends. More than anyone, I've known my friend Tashi for the past 6 months as a cool, handsome man with an amusing nature. Our shared vision for our homeland, Bhutan, brought us together.
We dreamt of a Bhutan where politics would serve the greater good and our tiny kingdom would thrive on ethical and sustainable principles. Our discussions revolved around these ideals, and we felt a sense of urgency to serve our motherland with the utmost sincerity and honesty.
We deeply promised to take home one, or many ideas and knowledge we observed or gained in a culturally diverse land, or anything worthy to take home for our beloved land would be the future of our land, the added value of the hidden kingdom. We've got miles to go before we sleep in peace, before we fall deep before our bones weaken, and before we promise to build our country into a promising land.
Our backgrounds were intertwined in our conversations, as we both hailed from Bhutanese families with deep connections to the banking and education sectors. Our chats ranged from the intricacies of banking to challenges in the education system. We were both passionate about seeing improvements in critical areas such as health and education.
Our friendship was as versatile as it was genuine. We seamlessly transitioned from ultra-professional discussions to sharing the tiniest personal details of our lives. We talked about fatherhood, our past relationships—the girlfriend gags—and the ups and downs around Melrose Drive. From cold to scorching heat and shared meals, we used to share unending fantasies for our future.
Amidst our diverse conversations, our unwavering love and respect for our beloved monarchs used to always top our talking list. We shared stories about our monarchs' contributions to Bhutan's progress, and it used to be a source of great pride for both of us to work more sincerely. We were equally proud of our graceful Prince, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, who is growing up under the guidance of two beloved Monarchs, K4 and K5. This shows the depth of knowledge and vision the King must-have for his country.
As close friends often do, we had our moments of jest and boiling. I had a knack for bringing up nonsense topics, from toilet humor to discussions about the flaws in our education system and the frustrating mismanagement that I've observed as a school lopen. I used to tease Tashi about his uncanny ability to bunk and hide from our boss. Often, we used to play a rat game, but only to fall under Benny's trap, our boss!
One thing was clear: the shared longing for our home, our tiny Bhutan, was deeply wrapped under the rim of our hearts. We missed our aging parents and relatives, the simple joys, and the warmth of our homeland. Lennock lost a gentleman, but I've lost a friend who had become a working partner. Our journey in the land of kangaroos had transformed us, and our friendship was a testament to the enduring connection we had to the land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan.
Best wishes for your new journey; perhaps the least traveled, I'm sure you will reap the best out of it and will prove yourself a gentleman, a true Bhutanese by discipline.
*** ALL THE VERY BEST!***
"$"
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