I never anticipated that my personal life would be fodder for work. I guess the most fulfilling of jobs are the ones where work and home life blend seamlessly, or more importantly, where the two feed off each other.
Earlier this year, I moved into my mother’s apartment. The apartment, a five-story building, is located in the middle of Thimphu. Until recently, it was the only residence in the building. Below, a restaurant, shops, and a karaoke bar exist. In no time, the noise from the karaoke started to bother me.
Every night, the karaoke would open around 8:00 P.M., as loud thumping music played from below. The room I slept in was located right above it. At first, I let things be, knowing that my mother had slept in these conditions. I was just grateful to have a place to stay. I also felt happy that the karaoke was doing well. Previously, the government had suspended many karaoke bars in Thimphu for not meeting “technical standards.” However, that feeling of happiness-righteousness didn’t last. It turned to anger and frustration.
Sleepless Nights in Thimphu
For nearly a month, most nights, I slept only after 3:00 A.M., after the karaoke closed, or I would catch a few hours of sleep before waking up to a spaceless silence. The thought of reaching out to the karaoke owner crossed my mind. It also became a point of conversation.
During this period, I discovered that Tuesday was no longer a dry day, when restaurants and bars are not allowed to serve alcohol. Even on Sundays, the bar was doing well. Then, one night, things improved. I could no longer hear the loud thumping of the music, along with the wretched voices that accompanied it. I later found out that my ear had been blocked. Finally, with my cousin’s help, I reached out to the building manager, after which things began to improve. It’s been a few weeks since I have slept without being disturbed by the noise, though some nights, I become aware of the music. I even sing along to some of the songs now, instead of watching TV, or listening to my own music as a distraction.
Book your trip to Bhutan today! Contact us at [email protected] or call +975 1711-2338 any time, anywhere!