Thimpu

This is the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital where we are volunteering. It is the main hospital for the country and I think the only in-patient hospital. It is brand new, only about 6 months old. It looks really nice on the outside, but the inside already looks old and worn. Medical care is free. They don't always have medications, tools, or resources available though. Some patients can be in severe pain but the only medication they can get is ibuprofen or Tylenol. There is no medical school, so training is done usually in India or Bangkok. The doctors we work with are very bright. There is no malpractice insurance because doctors are government employees. The hospital doesn't even keep medical records. The patient's records and x-rays are given to the patient and they are the ones who are responsible for bringing them with when they come to the hospital. For being the only real hospital in Bhutan, it is not as busy as you would think. Many patients live a 7 day hike into the mountains plus a 2 day drive from the hospital so they often only make the trip if it is something major, then usually by that time they have an infection along with their injury.
Downtown Thimpu

There are no traffic lights in Bhutan. This is the only traffic cop at one intersection in Thimpu.

A chorten in memory of the 3rd King. I kind of refer to it as a community center. Many people come here for religious reasons. They say prayers as they walk clockwise (like a track) around the chorten with their prayer beads or swing their hand prayer wheels. The elderly also have picnics there.

Yak cheese hanging outside a store.