Linda Leaming found her home and voice amidst the remote Himalayan mountains of Bhutan. Her prose explores themes of culture, identity, and spiritual seeking, often highlighting the unique connection between people and the sacred landscape. Through her compelling narratives, Leaming invites readers on a journey into the heart of the Himalayas, uncovering profound truths about life and love.
Tucked away in the eastern end of the Himalayas lies Bhutan - a tiny, landlocked country bordering China and India. It is a place where people are genuinely content with very few material possessions and the government embraces 'Gross National Happiness' instead of Gross National Product. This offers a glimpse into this quirky mountain kingdom.
"Forced by circumstance and her rustic surroundings to embrace a simplified life, Leaming made room for more useful beliefs...This collection of stories, impressions, and suggestions is a little nudge, a push, a leg up into the rarefied air of paradise - of bright sunlight and beautiful views." -- Back cover
Set in the enchanting Himalayas, the memoir explores Bhutan's unique culture, where happiness trumps material wealth. Linda Leaming shares her transformative journey as she immerses herself in the local language, customs, and a surprising romance with a Buddhist artist. Through her experiences in Thimphu, a town devoid of traffic lights, she reflects on the path to happiness and enlightenment. Leaming emphasizes that the essence of Bhutan can inspire personal fulfillment, urging readers to embrace their dreams for a happier life.
Bhutan bezaubert: Gefangen von ihrer ersten Reise durch das Königreich im Himalaja, zieht die Amerikanerin Linda Leaming als Englischlehrerin in das »Land des Donnerdrachen« – wo das Bruttosozialglück wichtiger ist als das Bruttosozialprodukt und wo man im nächsten Leben nachholt, wozu man in diesem nicht gekommen ist. Humorvoll erzählt sie, wie sie die Amtssprache Dzongkha lernt, in die buddhistische Lebenswelt hineinfindet und schließlich den bhutanischen Künstler Namgay heiratet. Ein warmherziges Porträt eines exotischen Landes, in dem Schweigen ein gutes Gespräch bestimmt, man die Hand zum Flirten in die Gewandfalte legt und Nächstenliebe selbstverständlich ist.