Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan in Around the World in 80 Books

Sep 07, 2019 Nancy H rated it liked it

This is an intriguing true story about a teacher from Canada who goes to teach in the country of Bhutan. As often happens when people go far away from home into cultures that are fairly unknown to them, she is not prepared for what she finds. However, despite the hardships, cultural differences, and politics she dislikes, she finds that she falls in love with her students and the country, and eventually, one of its inhabitants. The story of her journey as school teacher and then university teach ...more

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Mar 02, 2012 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it really liked it

Shelves: travel, nonfiction, moving-and-starting-over

Jamie Zeppa is at loose ends. Almost impulsively, she decides to move to Bhutan and teach.

She almost as quickly regrets her decision. No convenience foods here. Minimal toilet facilities. Great poverty. Friends are all far, far away.

Zeppa wants to go home to Canada.

But she doesn’t. And, as time goes on, she gradually comes to regard Bhutan as her home. Its simplicities delight her. The kindnesses of Bhutan’s people overwhelm her. And she loves her new life.

A very satisfying moving-and-starting-o ...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Suzie Sims-Fletcher rated it really liked it

Shelves: culture, women-history

The first 2/3 kept me interested, wanting more. Freaked me out a bit about my own upcoming teaching stint in Bhutan. After she goes to the university, I realized that my situation would be more like that, than the rural school. I do not want a leech up my nose.

However, I did not care for the turn to LOVE. Eh. Her relationship with her student. I am sure this takes the author full circle, but I would have prefered a short post script.

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Jan 17, 2011 Stephanie rated it really liked it

Living in Bhutan, a dream I have had since I went to Tibet, probably as close as I will ever get.

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Jan 18, 2015 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: female-author, ___asia, non-fiction, memoirs

This book is a memoir written by a Canadian woman who travels to Bhutan in the late 1980s for several years to teach. The book is engaging, well-written, and thoughtful. I felt that it accurately depicted the struggles and joys of traveling and culture shock. I appreciated her insights on the romanticization of poverty, the "Shangri-La" image of Bhutan, and the whole idea of "they have nothing, but they are still so happy!"

I also was interested to read about the Bhutanese conflict with ethnic N ...more

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