"No." "Still no letter for you." " Are you sure?" " Yes." "We don't get many foreign letters in this village." "Can I see?" "By the look on your face, I guess there was no letter again." "No." "I don't know what's happened." "Maybe he forgot." "Ust be patient." "You've been here only a month." "It feels like a lifetime." "It's not like the big city you're used to." "Things take time here." "It's so frustrating." "Shh!" "Here comes the bearded mosquito." "What are you two up to?" "Come on, we're losing." "You haven't told anyone about my plan, have you?" "No, of course not." "Don't worry." "What kind of haircut is that?" "You're a government officer." "It's important that you set a good example." "Yes, sir." "This is your first month's salary." "Thank you." "Lots of money, huh?" "What?" "My friend in America makes this much in half a day." "Hmm..." "This must be the letter the new officer is waiting for." "Here, take it and run." "Dondup!" "Tea's ready." "Come on, have your tea." "What time is it?" "Almost midday." "You slept too much, you know." "What else can I do here?" "What will you do during the Tsechu festival?" "Who?" "Me?" "When is it anyway?" "Day after tomorrow." "Didrt you know?" "Oh, shit!" "What is it?" "The post office will be closed for a few days again." "Letter!" "Urgent letter." "Oh, Dondup, look what I've got!" "Guess what's here." "At last!" "What's the date today?" "The 13th, I think." "I'm not sure." "Hey, bring me my black gho and my scarf." "I have to go immediately." "I must be in Thimphu by the 16th." "This thing is so big." "It's hard to get it up." "It's falling!" "It's falling!" "But you just got here." "I knew I could never trust you city people." "I'm sure you're already bored." "No, sir." "I'm very happy here." "How many days?" "Enough for the Tsechu festival." "The festival is for religious people." " You're sure that's the reason?" " Yes." " Good afternoon, Dasho." " So, who won today?" "What happened?" "We nearly won." "We were really close." "But we'll beat them soon." "How?" "Don't they have foreign bows?" "Yes, they do, but they also have TV." "So most of their kids spend all their time watching cricket." "What's cricket?" "It's a game... the British left behind when they quit India." "Now the Indians... are so proud of it, they play as if they invented it." "Now even we have started playing it too." "Sir..." "So, the festival starts on Monday?" "Yes, sir." "You're going for the festival?" "Not looking for girls?" "It must be something like that." "Is there a bus today?" "Yes." "Go." "Here." "That old mosquito took so much time." "He should know it takes at least two days to get to Thimphu." "You're lucky he let you go." "You just got here." "What did you tell him?" "That I'm going to the festival." "It keeps old people happy." " When do you have to be there?" " Day after tomorrow." "No later." "This is the chance of a lifetime." "You know..." "Chinese people risk their lives to get to America." "Will you get a visa this time?" "My friend said he has a good connection in the American embassy." "Here, you can keep these." "Don't you want to go to America too?" "I can help with getting a visa once I arrive there." " What would I do there?" " Anything you like." "It's the land of opportunity." "You're really dying to get out of this village." "Of course." "There's nothing here." "No movies, no restaurants, and most of all, no cool girls." "You can have those if you like." "I'd better hurry, I'm late." "America." "So far away." "Who's going to look after your parents?" "I'm sure they'll be okay." "Hold it tight, girls!" "Don't let go!" "Where are you off to in such a rush?" "Come and have tea." "We're having a housewarming." "No, thanks." "I'm in a hurry." "I have to get to Thimphu." "Thimphu?" "I'll get you something for your journey." "No need, thanks." "I insist." "How can we let you go without anything?" "Take this dried cheese." " Thank you." " When are you coming back?" "Soon." "I'm really sorry, but I have to go or I'll miss the bus." "Come for tea when you get back." " Thank you." " Okay, then." "Shit!" "All because of a bearded mosquito and a wooden phallus!" "Sorry, no room for both of you and your luggage." "No one will take you and all those apples." "Look, this car looks very small." "There's no way they'll take you and your apples." "You should wait for a truck or a bus." "Okay, sir." " So don't stand up, okay?" " Okay, sir." "Please, have an apple." "No." "Oh, no!" "Here comes another one." "Hi." "Any luck with rides today?" "I guess not." "Been waiting long?" "I guess so." " Where are you going?" " Thimphu." "Can't be for the festival, can it?" "Much too boring for you people." "Still, here we are, heading in the same direction." "Hey, friend!" "Hey!" "Come and sit here." "There's no point staring at an empty road." "You know..." "Buddha said hope causes pain." "Hey!" "Smoking is not good." "You know, smoking... destroys your health and makes your air like a blind horse... and then, slowly makes your mind... like a handicapped rider." "Hey!" "Stop preaching." "No one's here to listen to your sermon." "I'm upset enough already." "Stop irritating me." "Come on, don't get mad." "I was just teasing." "It's so true what the teachings say about people becoming edgy when they're waiting for something." "Hey!" "You can't get your music to work." "Never mind, listen to me play my dramyin." "Okay?" "You'll like it." "Hey!" "Let's walk." "If a car comes we can get a ride." "You walk, then." "Oh, I understand." "If a car comes, you'll get the first seat." "Very clever of you." "Because if I stay here," "I'll get priority." "Because I'm a monk." "All right." "You can stay here, okay?" "Hey!" "Come on!" "Come over here!" "Don't be so proud." "Join us!" "There are lots of ghosts on these roads." "Well, this is all I have for dinner tonight." "Do you have anything?" "No." "I didn't expect to be stranded." "So..." "Where do you live?" "Till today, in Khumbar." "Till today?" "Are you leaving for good?" "You must have a good reason." "Yes." "Where are you going?" "Far away." "Far away?" "How far?" "Thimphu?" "Beyond Thimphu?" "I'm going very, very far away." "To the land of my dreams." "That's where I'm going." "To a dreamland?" "You should be careful with dreamlands." "Because... when you wake up, it may not be very pleasant." "Tell you what..." "I'll tell you a story about a dreamland." "Long, long ago... but not too long ago... in a beautiful village in Bhutan there lived a farmer with two sons." "Tashi, the eldest, was his favorite son and was sent to study magic with a renowned master." "However, he was very lazy and only thought about girls." "Karma, the younger son, was smarter, but no one realized this." "He was kept at home to help with the work." "Ust wait, I'll get you!" "On top of all the household and farm work," "Karma also had to deliver his brother's lunch every day." "Karma, it's time to take your brother his lunch." "Can't he take his own?" "He never studies anyway." "Come on, quickly." "Karma was always thinking he'd be much happier ifhe could go to school instead ofhis brother." "Listen carefully." "What I'm teaching you now is an extremely secret method." "Although it may appear easy at first, it's very difficult to understand." "If you ever need to make yourselves invisible, all you need is to keep this twig next to a part of your body." "The moment it touches your skin you will vanish." "But Tashi had no interest in magic skills." "He was always daydreaming of faraway places." "Karma, meanwhile, took advantage of every moment to eavesdrop" "so that he could learn a lot about magic." "But no one realized just how much he knew." "First of all... find a ravers nest made under special conditions." "The nest will look quite unique." "This kind of nest is not built more than once in many, many years." "Then, at a certain time, the nest must be thrown into a river." "When you throw it into the river, all the twigs will be carried..." "Must be that boy." "You again, you rascal!" "Karma, why don't you take my place at school?" "I would if Father allowed." "I wish I could travel far away." "Somewhere I've never been before." "This magic stuff is incredibly boring." "Anyway, it never works." "It's just superstition." "How do you know it doesn't work?" "Don't be silly." "Don't you want to get out of here?" "To go where?" "Know what I heard?" "That in the next village there are lots of beautiful girls." "And they're fair-skinned and sexy." "But look at our girls!" "All burnt by the sun." "And skinny, as if they were starving." " All you think about is girls." " Of course." "That's because I'm a man and you're just a kid." " I sneaked some wine out." " Great!" "What's wrong?" "I don't know." "It tastes different today." "Look!" "What a beautiful horse!" "I've never seen it before." "That's our new horse." "Really?" "In place of the donkey." "A horse for a donkey." "That's very funny." "Careful!" "She's a bit wild and won't let us ride her easily." "Don't worry, she'll let me." "Tashi, rein her in!" "I can't!" "Rein her in!" "I can't!" "Hello!" "Anyone there?" "Anyone there?" "Please..." "Please let me in." "I've lost my way." "My horse has run away." "Please!" "Look..." "My leg's injured." "I won't bother you." "Please, just one night." "Come on." "Have some pity!" "Don't worry." "I have no weapons, nothing like that." "So who are you?" "What are you doing here?" "Well, it's a long story." "Please, do you have any chang?" "My leg hurts so much." "Do you have a bandage?" "Here." "Thank you." " What's wrong?" " Nothing." "Here's a bandage." "I'm going to sleep now." "Sleep in here." "The roof s better." "Thank you." "You were so tired, you fell asleep before I finished the story." "Hey, wait!" "Let's all go together." "Hey, listen!" "I hope it's going to Thimphu." "If not, at least he can drop us further on." "Are you going to Thimphu?" "No, to Punaka, but I can drop you at the turnoff." "Great." "Hop in." "There's lots of room in the back." "Don't mind the drunk." "So, where are you and your friends going?" "Well, he and I, to Thimphu." "That one, to a dreamland." "A dreamland?" "I want to go too." "Looks like you're already there." "Hey, stop!" "Stop!" "It would be faster to walk." "Get in the back." "It's so hard to get a ride." "We've been on the road almost two days." "Oh, aren't you the new officer in our village?" "Yes." "How do you know?" "Have we met before?" "I'm sorry, I don't remember you." "You're an important man in our village." "Everybody knows about you." "And yet, he's looking for something better and leaving your village for good." "That's because he's going to a dreamland!" "Oh, is that true?" "Ignore them." "Monks and drunks, who can take them seriously?" "But how come I haven't seen you before?" "I don't remember you." "Have we met?" "I've been away for a while." "I needed help making rice paper and went to get my daughter from school." "What's wrong now?" "What's wrong?" "Nothing." "What do you mean, nothing?" "Can you fix it?" "Yes." "It's nothing major." " How long will it take?" " Don't worry, guys." "Relax." " Can I do anything?" " Thanks." "I can handle it." "This happens all the time." "Go and enjoy the scenery." "Yes, we might as well relax." "Come on." "All right, then." "Where were we?" "Do you remember?" "Whatever." "Oh, yes, I remember." "It was when Tashi arrived in Agay's house and had to spend the night there." "Then the next morning..." "I overslept." "I must have been very tired." "I'd better get going." "Your gho is outside." "It's still wet." "Oh, is it?" "In that case... can I borrow one of yours for a while?" "Here." " Deki!" "Breakfast!" " It's ready." "I've been such a burden to the two of you." "No, please, you take it." "No, no." "You are our guest." "Doesrt matter." " So..." " Yes?" "Where do you live?" "Why are you here?" "I'm from Gasa village." "Gasa?" "Where is that?" "I've never heard of it." "So..." "Who showed you the way here?" "Nobody did." "I told you already." "I was lost." "How?" "Well, our family bought a horse." "I rode her for the first time yesterday." "I couldn't control her." "She took off and kept going." "Then she threw me off in the middle of nowhere." " Anyone with you?" " Come on, don't worry." "Let him finish his breakfast." "Agay, where is the nearest village?" "About a day's walk from here." "A day's walk?" "Really?" "I guess the road is easy to find." "The road?" "There's no road." "How am I going to find my way back?" "Over there... there's a big river." "You cross the river... and go downstream." "After some distance, you'll find a small village." "Someone there might help you." "Can you show me the way?" "I can't go far." "I have a lot of work." "But I'll take you part of the way." "That's very kind of you." "Why don't you stay a day or two and let your leg heal?" "He's going to the village soon to sell our kiras at the market." "You could go with him." "I'd be happy if I could stay here, but my family will be worried." "We hardly ever have visitors." "It's nice to have a guest." "Well, if only my family knew where I was," "I'd be happy to stay here in the forest." "Leave it, she'll do it." " Leave it, I'll do it." " It's okay." "Let me help." "You should stay at least a day." "Deki!" "Hey, Deki!" "Please don't..." "Please..." "Let's go." "Agay, this is such an isolated place." "Why do you live here?" "Isn't it tough for you at your age?" "This is as far as I can go." "I'm going back now." "Of course." "You've already come too far." "Over there." "See that mountain?" "Yes." "At the foot of it is the river." "Is it far?" "Anyway, thank you for everything." "Listen..." "You see, I'm an old man." "I want to be left alone." "So don't tell anyone about this place." "Don't worry, I won't." "You have to get off now." "This is as far as I go." "Hey, we're at the turnoff." " Are you going to Thimphu too?" " Oh, yes." "We thought we'd try our luck during the festival." "Oh, I see." "Hear that?" "They're going to Thimphu too." "How is the rice paper business?" "Getting worse every day." "These days, people prefer foreign-made paper." "It's whiter, smoother and much cheaper." "Making rice paper requires a lot of labor." " Is it just the two of you?" " No, it's only been me." "My girl's been at school." "My wife died long ago." "So, is it a school break now?" "No." "She didn't get into college." "Not enough points." "So, she will help you in the village now?" "Yes." "It's turned out well for me." "I can't manage alone." "Anything coming?" "No, nothing." "Not even a donkey." "We'll be better off walking." "Let's go." "So, are you still sure you want to leave the village?" "Maybe your dreamland isn't as far as you think." "She's going to live in your village." "Did you hear that?" "I think she likes you." "We're both tired so we're resting a bit." "Why don't you rest too, sir?" "Yes, I think that's a good idea." "Go on, help him." "Thank you." "Not much luck with cars today." "No." "There are plenty around when you don't need them." "So, is it really true you're not coming back to the village?" "I have a great opportunity to go to America." "If I'm not in Thimphu tomorrow I may miss it." "Will you go there for good?" "I don't know." "Maybe." "It must be very beautiful there." "I've heard they don't even know where Bhutan is." "What a pity!" "I hope you'll come back to our village." "We need young people like you." "Why are you going there?" "I can make lots of money." " Doing what?" " Anything." "Washing dishes." "Picking apples." "Oh, picking apples?" "So, you're giving up an officer's job to pick apples?" "I can make a lot more money." "Well, I guess you've made your mind up to go." "Ust don't get lost there like Tashi." "Isn't your wound getting better?" "It's been many days now." "It's much better." "I can walk properly now." "When are you going to the village?" "I can't find the way on my own." "When she finishes that kira." "I don't know why she's taking longer than usual." "When will you finish?" "I don't have enough thread." "You're the one taking the time." "Look at this..." "What a mess!" "The threads are all knotted." "How did this happen?" "How do I know?" "Do I look like a fool?" "One should never trust a woman." "So, do you have a wife?" "No." "I'm studying at the moment." "Deki!" "Prepare a bath." "Yeah, okay." "You know, you're lucky." "Why?" "Well, although you're old, you have a young, beautiful wife." "Beautiful?" "I don't know." "Come on, you know." "One thing I can advise you." "Never marry someone much younger than yourself." "Why is that?" "Unless you don't mind sharing." "Do you remember?" "You asked me why we lived so far away in this isolated place." "If we lived in the village, some young man would have taken her from me long ago." "We men..." "We may grow old, but our minds don't age." "Our jealousy stays young." "Arert you worried she might run away?" "What for?" "There's no reason." "Enough..." "I'm a bit dizzy." "Why don't you get in now?" "The water's still hot." "You go ahead." "No, you go." "No, please." "I'll have one later." "I'll get more stones." "No, I can't take it too hot." "Call if the water gets cold." "I'll be up here with your husband." "I know what you're thinking." "What do you mean?" "Hold on!" "I can hear a car." "Those cars don't stop for monks and apple or paper sellers." "You go ahead." "It's for people like you." "Why didn't you stop her?" "She looked like she was going to America too." "Why don't we camp here tonight?" "Good idea." "Let's stop." "Girl, get the firewood." "I'll get some stones." "No, I'll get the firewood." "Okay." "How old are you, Sonam?" "So, is it a secret?" " Nineteen." " Just nineteen?" "How old are you?" "Now you're not at school, won't village life bore you?" "I don't know." "Maybe." "Can't you do the exam again?" "You seem like a bright girl." "You're young." "It would be better if you studied now." "I know, but I don't need to resit the exam." "What do you mean?" "Can you keep a secret?" "Of course." "Of course I can." "What is it?" "Actually, I did quite well on the exam." "I had enough points." "Really?" "So why?" "I want to help my father." "My mother's dead and he's all alone." "Isn't it our duty to look after our parents when they're old?" "Hey, you!" "Let her cook in peace." "He's so irritating, isn't he?" "I like his stories." "I don't." "I can tell you better ones." "You've never cooked before, have you?" "Are you all right?" "Let me see." "So, will you teach me to cook?" "I'm sure your wife will cook for you." "You shouldn't smoke." "It's bad for you." "Well..." "We werert very lucky with rides today." "I hope we'll be luckier tomorrow." "Me too." "Anyway, the Thimphu bus should come some time in the morning." "I hope there'll be enough seats for all of us." "Yes." "It's always busy during the festival." "At least our officer doesn't seem to mind anymore." "The days turned into weeks and slowly Tashi became lost in time." "Not only was he infatuated with Deki, but he'd fallen completely under her spell." "And Deki knew it." "Careful!" "There won't be enough to make him drunk." "Wait a moment." "I have something to show you." "How do I look?" "Wow!" "You look so beautiful." "You should wear it all the time." "That's impossible." "He never allows me." "I'm wearing it just for you." "Stop, please." "His knife isn't just for cutting firewood." "He'll kill me." "Deki, bring me more chang." "What is it?" "You've been acting strangely lately." "I know what you've been up to." "Deki..." "We should run away soon." "No, it wouldn't work." "He'd find us in the end." "He's not as stupid as he looks." "Besides..." "What?" "Do you feel bad about leaving him alone?" "Don't be ridiculous." "Why should I?" "I've tried to leave many times." "But he always finds me." "What is it, Deki?" "What's wrong?" " Nothing." " Come on, what is it?" "I'm pregnant." "Really?" "Of course." "Do you think I'm lying?" "Are you sure?" "If he finds out... he'll kill me." "You don't know what he's like." "He'll kill you too." "So... what do you suggest?" "He's an old man." "If we give him enough alcohol, he'll die soon." "Before it shows?" "I could mix a potion to get rid of it." "How can you even think that?" "This is our baby." "If you can do something, you may as well do it to him." "And the sooner the better." "Wait, Deki!" "Give me some." "Deki, wait." "We should think about this some more." "I don't even know if the poison will work." "I never learnt these things properly." "Deki, get me dinner!" "No time for breakfast, perhaps." "That sounds like the bus." " How do you know?" " Years of traveling, that's how." "Yes, it's the Thimphu bus." "We only have room for one." "Come on, we've been walking for two days." "We don't want to miss the festival." "Please." "I'm sorry, but it's a safety law." "I'll be in trouble with the police if I take more." "But there's no need to worry." "There'll be lots of cars today." "Someone will give you a ride." "I can take only one." "In that case, you should go." "Never mind me." "The officer's in a hurry to get to America." "Let him go." "Yes, why not?" "Hey!" "They only have one seat." "Why don't you take it?" "Yes, you go." "I'm sure he can take us all." "Impossible." "We've tried." "Let me talk to him." "Apple man!" "If you wait any longer, your apples will rot." " You should go." " Me?" " Yes, you go." " That's great." "Come on, quickly!" "I have to get moving." "That was very kind of you." "Right..." "But is it simply kindness... or something else?" "Come on, you two." "Don't start the day with an argument." "When did you stop smoking?" "Hey!" "Did I hear a car?" "I was just teasing." "I didn't hear any car." "The minds of human beings are so convoluted." "What we hoped for yesterday, we dread today." "Are you tired?" "A little." "Let me carry your bag." "I can manage." "What's the matter?" "You look so sad." "Oh, it's nothing." "Come on, tell me." "I was thinking about the apple man." "Why?" "Do you miss him?" "Yes." "Do you always miss people you've just met?" "It depends on who they are." "Tired?" "Yes, I think she is." " Let me carry your things." " It's okay, I can manage." "Can we hear the rest of your story?" "It would be nice while we rest." "Yes, please." "Okay, if you wish." "Now for the bizarre part." "You know... we human beings can be savages when driven by passion." "Well?" "How long does it take?" "He's been groaning all night." "I told you, I don't know." "I don't even know if it will kill him at all." "I've never poisoned anyone." "You shouldn't have killed him." "What?" "Who made the potion?" "Wasrt it you?" "Tashi!" "Don't go!" "Please wait." "Tashi!" "Tashi!" "Deki!" "Where are you?" "Deki!" "Where are you?" "Who's Deki?" "Let's go, Tashi." "You're drunk." "Father won't like it if we're late." "I killed a man!" "What?" "I killed a man." "I did it." "Don't talk nonsense." "Come on, get up." "Come on, it's getting late." "Isn't that our donkey?" "What else?" "A horse?" "Please give us a ride." "Do you have room for us?" "I have room, but not enough for all of you." "Whatever you have will do." "I can take two." "He has room for two." "Why don't you two go?" "Why don't you two go?" "He needs to get there quickly." "Please, you two go." "But you have to sell your paper." "Yes." "I can sell it any time." "There's no hurry really." "Since you need to get to America, you two should go." "Oh, well..." "If you insist." "Time to go to America!" "It's what you've been waiting for." " All right." " It's been a good journey." "We've enjoyed it thanks to your entertainment." "It made the journey less tiring." "Well, then... help your father and stay in the village." "Urban life is depressing." "Good-bye, and thanks." "Travel safely, both of you." "Stay well." "Don't tell me you're changing your mind." "Don't be sad." "You know... a peach blossom is beautiful." "But you see... a blossom is only beautiful because it is temporary." "Oh, well..." "Let me tell you another story." "A long time ago, in a very beautiful village, there lived a man." "And although he was a government officer, he wanted to go to America to pick apples." "But, along the way, he met this very beautiful girl." "And so he forgot all about going to America."