The Feel of Bhutan

Bhutan is someplace different, it's neither a developin or a developed country, it has managed to carve a niche for itself, demonstrated most visibly by their adoption of a target different from GDP (gross domestic product). In its place, Bhutan has gross national happiness (GNH), a metric they're attempting to use in order to work on what is important to them.

So how does it influence Bhutan? As I'm merely an observer I haven't looked into correlation or causation, but Bhutan is a happy and content place. Last year I visited Kenya, a country most people are familiar, a developing country an East Africa. There, you'll find malnourished people, beggars, thiefs, people in torn clothing, absurdly rich people in Nairobi, general corruption and a government so corrupt it almost has you in awe.

Bhutan on the other hand, seems devoid of these problems. Everyone looks well fed no matter their job, the only beggars are monks or retired people who spend their time meditating, most people wear the national clothes, the rest wear good clothing (nothing torn or worn down), you don't see disparities in wealth, even in Thimpu (the capital), I've seen no signs of corruption at all and the government? The king decreed that there should be a vote for democracy, the people came out, had the choice (a democratic election for democracy) and voted no (they preferred their immensely popular king). So in an undemocratic move, he instituted democracy anyway. Corruption...

But a country's soul is the people and they are the ones I interact with. I was just on Malta, a wonderful country with friendly and smiling people. The Bhutanese, take it to a whole new level. These people are smiling and waving, asking questions out of interest and curiosity, always forthcoming and with good intentions. As a photographer, I can tell you that most people say no or shy away from a camera if you ask whether or not you can take a person's picture. Not so here, not only will the Bhutanese smile and pose, they'll often ask their friends or children to step into the frame.
These people are a dream, not only do they look happy and well contented with their lives, they feel and act happy and well contented.

But is it just the national clothes and the GDH metric that ensures happiness? Hardly. Food is bountiful, the nature is beautiful and little work here is cause for stress, everything happens at a peaceful pace.

I'll look into it...