These are the children of the road workers. The Bhutanese government hired their parents to build roads through what seems to be impassable terrain. The kids are raised on the side of the road in basic camps with no schools, no playgrounds, no sanitary amenities. When they see visitors, they are intrigued and can’t comprehend that you could have traveled from the opposite side of the world. They are curious, but also streetwise.
The world is changing at an unbelievable pace. While it used to take one generation to bring new technology to a remote part of the world, today, electronic gadgets are almost released at the same time everywhere. Clothes are handmade, cooking is still done on wood fires, homes are heated with the same wood, yet kids have cell phones! Luckily in Merak, the gadgets have not affected them to the point of being disconnected from the nature of traditional life.
Merak is very safe, yet a historic tale would say otherwise. In the 15th century, the Chieftain ordered his subjects to bring down the mountain that was obstructing sunshine on his palace. The people toiled day and night for years without much progress. One fine day, a lady known as Aum Jomo suggested that instead of taking on this impossible task, it would be much easier to bring down the life of one person. So, the Chieftain was beheaded. Since then, people have lived peacefully in the village.
