The Drive to Thimphu
To blow out the
cobwebs of this mild dance embarrassement and a whole week of minimal exercise
and excessive marking (115 book reviews and 115 letters to pen pals), I came
down to Thimphu with my friend and school
librarian-cum-office-assistant-cum-general-procuror-cum-taxi driver, Penpa, who
drives us down to Thimphu every Saturday after school, often along with the
Games and PE instructor, Ugyen. Ugyen is a twenty-four year old Thimphu native
who, in his inimitably good natured and absent-minded style, has been playing
the field a bit on his weekend outings and Penpa often delights in telling me
of Ugyen’s latest romantic adventures. Ugyen’s obvious embarrassment and
vagueness on this topic only adds to the humour of the situation.
“Any plans this
weekend, Ugyen?” I will typically ask on these journeys down to town.
“Ah, some work
helping my parents, I think,” will be his typical vague answer.
“Helping his attractice, young, female, single parents!”
Penpa will interject with glee.
“Ah ha! So
that’s what you’re up to! Who’s the special lady, Ugyen?” I will ask.
“Special ladies!” Penpa jumps in with a smile.
“No, no.” Ugyen
will protest.
“Ladies! Ugyen! You dawg!”
“Yes! Yes!”
Penpa will continue, “One girl is not enough for Ugyen Wangchuk! He has so many
girls messaging him that he can’t decide which one to see!”
This kind of
banter continues all the way to town, with Penpa stopping from time to time to
pick up or drop off extra passengers. On one occasion, a female college-aged
student was waiting by the side of the road and gestured for the taxi to stop.
Penpa pulled over but for some reason when the girl looked in the cab, she
waved it on, indicating that she didn’t want a ride after all.
“Maybe she was
frightened of us chillips (foreigners),” Lucy offered.
“No no!” said
Penpa, “She was frightened of Ugyen Wangchuk! She knows his reputation!”
We all erupt
into fits of laughter – even Ugyen cracking a big smile.
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