Day 4

Monday 1 Oct 218

First we back tracked a little on the previous day's trail before continuing our walk on the trails of the cow herders up to the small hamlet of Jumphu. From here we re-joined the main trekking trail to Tikithang and a visit to the school where children are taught Dzongkha, Maths and English. School is free to all from age 6 to 18, about $65 per day of the fee charged to tourists goes to help fund schooling and health care in Bhutan. The small school had just 6 children in grades 2 and 3 (7 and 8 year olds) they stood nervously as 7 tall strangers tested their English, the bravest declared that she wanted to become a teacher, while the others’ ambitions were to be doctors.
When we asked where one girl lived and how long it takes to get to school the principal said they were local and it only took an hour to walk! Our hearts cried at the thought of a tiny, solitary 7 year old toddling along a broken path beneath the towering Himalayas. Leaving at 7am she must make this daily journey with only the yaks for company! Before we left the students they gave us a fine rendition of “Head, shoulders, knees and toes” strangely to the tune of Frere Jacques.

Although the morning clouds were reluctant to lift and rain persisted, we were welcomed to Jomolhari base camp with glorious sunshine, enough to do more substantial washing than just underwear!

Distance 10km 5hrs

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