Footprint described Pemayangtse as "awe-inspiring" and "the highlight of Sikkim". My expectations were unfortunately and naturally raised and I know it's no good. If you know the rules, having expectations when you travel will only lead to disappointment.
It turned out to be a small and quiet monastery. There were many wall paintings and religious artworks but they were mere visual arts to the layman. There was nothing much to explore in the monastery grounds except watching the young monks who were also idling around and watching us.
On the way back to town, we saw people gathering near a gompa and were invited to join a ritual. Since we have no other plans for the rest of the day, we went without any hesitation.
Two months prior to our visit to India, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Sikkim on 18 September 2011. We figured this ritual must be for the earthquake victims and they must be family members of the deceased from their grim expressions.
As soon as we arrived, we were served a plate of crackers, hot tea, dried beef and unidentifiable strips of either candy or intestines.
How about a bamboo of beer?
Don't tell anyone we're eating meat okay?
Folks around us noticed I didn't take any of their food or drink and offered me orange juice. It was their personal item, not served to any of the guests. I was deeply moved by their hospitality but politely declined.
I almost forgot I'm in India. As a landlocked state that borders Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, majority of Sikkim residents look more like their neighbours than their Indian compatriots.
We hanged around till noon and decided to make a move as my stomach was growling.
I needed to go to the bathroom urgently and the young chap running Lotus Bakery kindly allowed me to use a bathroom located 50m away from the bakery. We bought some pastries from him and though they were cold and hard, we didn't mind since all proceeds go to deprived children of Sikkim.
Bimla whips up excellent momos. I asked her what does Mock Too mean and she brought out a big dumpling steamer. Enough said.
We spent the rest of the day checking out the school located above Mock Too. Lower primary kids playing during recess time, classrooms filled with pupils reciting after their teacher, a student walking along the long corridor and complicated equations on the blackboard in an upper secondary maths class made me feel quite nostalgic.
Teachers would sit outside and mark papers to take advantage of the natural lighting and the warmth from the sun. As we walked out of the hall into the parade square, we happened to meet the principal sitting outside, going through exam questions set by her teachers. We asked for her permission to look at the questions and the first question we saw was "What is sustainable development?" I was impressed their standard of education was on par with what we had went through in our days, having considered the fact that this school was located in a rather remote part of India. We also learnt that the medium of instruction is English and students spend the same total number of years as us from primary school to junior college. The bell rang and she excused herself for assembly. I watched the students put their hands together and prayed.
While walking around the school, I noticed they have painted their beliefs towards education in words on the building facade. There was one that reads "Education to be complete, must be humane. It must include not only the training of intellect, but also the refinement of the heart and discipline of the spirit." This one at the bottom of the window was unforgettable. I like the way it rhymes and how the fundamental purpose of education was effortlessly expressed in that few simple lines. This was an important reminder to how I should be guided in life, especially in an increasingly selfish and nonchalant society.
