It’s been
pretty long since I haven’t updated my blog and it is partly the rain that is
to blame because it kept me indoors and occupied on chores. And it was during
one of those rainy days that something caught my eye. A bottle of beer-which
today’s generation might have even forgotten that it once was a hip drink for
all drink-a-likes!
The Golden Eagle beer which was long gone
from the Bhutanese bars and market is alive at Mr. Bajay’s hotel. Just a bottle
remains as his show piece. If you have gone through my book, “Beyond the call
of daily life”, I have this man mentioned on the very onset of the book. Mr.
Bajay’s real name is Pema Dhendup. He comes from the tiny little village of
Tama, Zhemgang. He earns his living running two hotels and a furniture house
right in the town of Zhemgang. He is survived by four kids.
Mr. Bajay is
a familiar face and he was the first Zhemgang resident that I knew when I came
to this unknown place. He comforted me with all advises when I was heartbroken
supposedly for being sent to a remote school. Now, he and I are minutes apart and
we have many characteristics in common. We share seven long years of friendship. He was a devout reader and his
knowledge on the flora and fauna stands testimony to this fact. He tells me his
love for reading is diminishing by the day. He has a small collection of books
which makes an onlooker wonder-An all knowing being.
Uncle Bajay with his Souvenir |
He idolizes
the great minds of the world including some of our former ministers. The wisdom
of great inspirational leaders and the good things they did to our country
lights him up, then I follow suit. And why shouldn’t I? After all, if something
good needs to be followed as an example, no morality check up would deny not
to.
His skill in
cookery is yet another mentionable quality. He is a learner at this skill. All
the ordinary dishes that we encounter in today’s hotels are obvious but his
skill and knowledge on food goes beyond the conventional food preparing
process. He shows me some sauces which I haven’t heard or seen before. With his
talks on various subjects and issues, I let a few gulps down my throat. I am a
documentary movie enthusiast and whenever I get hold of a new documentary
movie, I make sure I pass onto him as he too has an undying thirst for
knowledge.
He
frequently asks me on the English words and phrases that he doesn’t quite
understand and he tells me my explanations can make a retard understand, hence,
the teacher-ship which I pursue. He was educated until middle school and during
his formative days he was reputed to be Zhemgang’s only ‘nine-chuck’ expert.
On one usual
evening, having read an entire page on Obama’s consideration for South East
Asia, he was lost and I had to tell a summary on the story to which he even now
remembers what he learnt. A naturally born-to-learn learner! His outlook on
learning makes him an all knowing saint. But when it comes to computers, he
lags a little.
And in
evenings…
As customers
heats up in discussion on various subjects, he will humbly come listen to the
discussion holding an orange mug to which he already might have poured in some
pegs of the familiar ‘Special Courier’ whisky. This is Mr. Pema Dhendup
commonly, Uncle Bajay.
nice,... at least you are refresh by a bottle of beer,....
ReplyDeleteNot really kezang
DeleteQuite a character. I would love to meet such people and drink on regular evenings. You are lucky to have found each other- kind of a fate.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how did I not know about your book "Beyond the call of daily life"? Where would I find one?
I would gift you one Passu.....don't worry!
DeleteNo no I will buy. I want to see you publish your second book too. By giving gifts you will land up not writing your second book at all ha ahha
DeleteBulging Belly. Maybe in-need of some Jogging or something like that. Beer won't help it at all. Haha.
ReplyDeleteits not about beer lungten.........see beyond what is written.....metaphorical irony? dont worry you will come to know of this figure of speech when you reach college......until then...keep reading
Deletei know mr.bajay.he was my class mate.
ReplyDeleteGreat yo hear that!
Delete