On Top of the World

After a long, two hour bus ride up to the Chele La Pass, we took a moment to explore the sacred space. All around, we saw prayer flags in different colors waving in the wind. We ate a snack of sweet, crunchy crackers and smooth, creamy, delicious peanut butter, stretched our legs, and breathed in the cold, clean air, a big difference from back home. We took pictures among the prayer flags, then climbed up a small hill to what is supposedly one of the highest points in all of Bhutan.

13,000 feet. The highest I have ever been in my life. Standing there, on that mountain, I felt like I was on top of the world. We were so high up, there were clouds all around us and below our feet, hiding what I could only imagine was a spectacular view. The elevation was making me lightheaded, but I wanted to stay up there as long as I could and absorb the energy of the place. The sounds of animated conversations and laughter of new and old friends added to the perfection of this moment.

Over a day later, I still remember this experience and all of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes as vividly as when I first felt them. The place felt pure, and the natural beauty of it felt more freeing than any place I have ever been to.

- Lucy