Why do we do what we do? For me challenge is a major motivational factor. Without challenging myself I might as well be dead. But just as important as this is gaining perspective. Because this is what makes me happy. I do not appreciate fully how good my life is until I can see it from the other side of the road, or very often the other side of the world. That’s just the way we humans are. We need a big crisis before we change legislation. We need to experience a cold tent in order to appreciate a warm house. And we need to see a sick person before we understand how lucky we are to be healthy. With this in mind I always make sure that I do things that help me fully appreciate my life. This is one of the reasons I went on a three week trip to the Himalayas of Bhutan. Well I guess I could mention other reasons to; like love of mountains, adventure, travel, being outdoors, getting to know other cultures and and and and….the list is long, but ultimately these reasons all help me see my life from the outside.
My trip to Bhutan was a fantastic. I did one of the worlds toughest treks in high altitude in fewer days than normally recommended. Physically it was a good challenge. The landscape was incredible, and even though we moved to a new place every day we never ceased to be impressed. We got close to the villagers in the high valleys bordering Tibet, and almost got stuck there due to heavy snowfall. The people in these valleys have to walk for four days and cross 5000m+ high mountain passes to get anywhere close to civilization. There are no helicopters in Butan, the main means of transportation is by mule. That is, the people walk and the mules carry food and other supplies. It was dirty, it was cold, and it was a tough life for us, just imagine what the daily life must be for the people living there. As I came home I was still in the mode where I sort of appreciated the snow covering the camp because it hid the horse- and yak shit. And in the mode where I was avoiding to smell my smelly sleeping bag because it was my only refuge against the cold. Not to mention my sweat infused clothes. Or my greasy hair hidden under a beanie. This gave me what I asked for. Perspective. I swallowed one extra time as I thought of all the clothes and toys my kids have compared to the dirty and sometimes barefoot kids I met up in the mountains. Thankful. Grateful. Appreciative. I am so lucky! Our life is so good and comfortable. And most important of all so filled with love!
In the midst of the emotions of coming home I was faced with having to say my goodbye to a good friend. 8 months ago he suffered a severe head injury after a motorcycle accident. The time since the accident has been tough but full of hope. But his situation deteriorated to the worst, and now it was time to let go, say farewell, and believe he ends up in a better place. My thoughts are with his family.
I have posted some pictures from Bhutan below, but I am saving the best for various articles I will be publishing. I still think you get a good idea of what it was like though. Many of you have been asking about how the children reacted when they saw me?! Having Mommy pick them up in Kindergarden was the most natural thing for them. They made no extra fuss. They have also learned to be more independent and are more oriented towards their dad now too. So all in all I think it was a smart move to give the kids some quality time with their father.
The mountains on the horizon- heading there
The mountains in the background is where we are going
Laya, the first high altitude village we passed
Laya- we spent one night in this house
Children in Laya
Laya
Just another mountain pass (before it started snowing)
Happy and not knowing anything of the bad weather that was still to come
Mules carrying supplies for villagers
Just a normal day in the mountains
Happy girl
Yupp- the cyclone in India brought a long some weather
Is it clearing up?!?! Hmm, I guess not
Lhedi village
Yeah, sunshine! At least for a few hours….
Hurry up, take some pic’s before it starts clouding up again
Chozo village, the mountain in the background forms the border to Tibet
Will the weather stay stable like this?
Just another mountain pass
Happy camper
After turning around we found a way to exit the mountains and were pretty happy to arrive below the snow level!
Punakha dzong(fortress/temple)
Last day of the trek, woke up at 4100m and ended up at 1600m in what felt like tropical conditions. Sore feet though!
Cloudy but weather still good
Punakha valley.
Little girl in Punakha
Anniken Binz 
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
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Hey Anniken, great article with deep and profound thoughts and great pictures as ever when you publish something! What a great country and even bigger experiences over there (jealous, at least a little bit). Very sorry to read about your close friend though. Love & peace, Bernhard
Thank you:-D
Amazing! What a wonderful journey, Binz!
It was indeed:-)
Anniken, what a fabulous trip !! I would love to do something similar soon. Pictures are great too !! I loved this article and how we gain perspective when we take a step back and realize how many people are so much worse off than we are. We have to be grateful every single day for all the simple things that we tend to take for granted. xxxx
Thanks Yleana:-) Ye sit is sometimes difficult to be grateful until we manage to see ourselves from the outside:-) Hope you can manage to do a smilier trip:-) I highly recommend it:-)