Product Description

Often seen as a magical paradise at the end of the world, Bhutan is inaccessible to most travellers. Set against the dramatic scenery of the Himalaya, this beguiling memoir recalls hardships and happiness in a land almost untouched by the West.

When Britta Das goes to work as a physiotherapist in a remote village hospital, her good intentions are put to the test amid monsoons, fleas, and startling conditions. But as she visits homes in the mountains and learns the mysteries of Tantric Buddhism, the country captivates her very soul. Gaining insights into the traditions of the mystical kingdom, Britta makes friends, falls in love, and battles illness.

Throughout it all, as she writes, she worries about the "destructive nearness of technology" and fears that Bhutan's charm and innocence may soon be lost. Still, Bhutan has endured for centuries, and there is no denying that the country has transformed her life forever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #281453 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author

Britta Das went to work in Bhutan as a physiotherapist under the auspices of VSO, the British aid organization. Buttertea at Sunrise, her first book, has been published in Britain, India, Germany, and Holland. Born in Germany, Britta now lives in Toronto, where she continues to work as a physiotherapist.

Customer Reviews

Tells her story
"Buttertea at Sunrise" by Britta Das is the fascinating true tale of a young woman who decides to leave her comfortable life in Canada in order to teach her physiotherapy skills to medical workers in the unique kingdom of Bhutan, just emerging from a medieval society into the late 20th century world. Having traveled in Bhutan for a few weeks recently, I was particularly interested in her observations of a somewhat different part of the country than I had experienced (she lived in southeastern Bhutan), and in a somewhat different era - although only a dozen years ago! Das's prose throughout the book is remarkable for its clarity and richness. The story is compelling, the language is satisfying.

Experiences in a remote Himalayan kingdom.

Britta Das has written a wonderful and honest account of her year working at a small hospital in Eastern Bhutan. As a physiotherapist, she writes from a unique perspective. She was hired to run the clinic, and to train technicians, but arrives to find no equipment. Her living conditions are sparse, and to add to her difficulties, she arrives during the monsoon season.

She takes up the challenge, learning the language as she goes. Slowly she makes progress, accepts the hospitality of the Bhutanese people, and grows to love the country. Many of her patients had been disabled for years, with no access to treatment. Using her initiative and local materials, her work helps them gain new mobility, although she is realistic about her efforts. Her book is full of lively descriptions of all the people she meets as she explores the countryside. It captures the spirit of Bhutan as she discovers the culture of this little known Buddhist country. Adding to her experiences is her friendship with a doctor, two foreigners working together. When she leaves Bhutan and returns to Canada, it is with a real feeling of loss.

I spent time in Bhutan a few years before Britta, travelling across the country, being invited into homes, schools and health centres. I have read Buttertea at Sunrise twice, and enjoyed every page. It brought back great memories, and made me long to go back.

I would highly recommend this book to those who know Bhutan or plan to visit the country, to people thinking of working abroad, and to anyone who appreciates a good travel book!

A first person view....
First off, let me point out I have find Bhutan a amazing nation, being brave enough to say that being HAPPY was the most important thing. Think of it? Gross National Happiness! I have a few books about the Kingdom, having visited their displays and exhibits last year on the National Mall.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this book was how realistic and gritty the author's view point was. She saw the dirty homes, the ill people, not just the natural beauty and the Buddhist lifestyles. Of course, she was there to work along side the people, not just passing through like many others.
She found a lot in her journey - love, pain, understanding, enlightenment. She brought something back, not just photos or stories to write about, but maybe a changed soul? She is brave enough to share those experiences. She didn't just tell us about temples and shops, street names and problems with the toilets, like so many other travel books. She told us about her fears, dreams, her romance and her failures.
Can't get more real than that!