Characters from a dream

I met few other Americans working in Bhutan, primarily because the US doesn't have official diplomatic relations with Bhutan, and therefore sponsors no large USAID or Peace Corps-type projects. American consultants pass through, but generally only for a few days or weeks. The most familiar types were the Canadians -- Americans, too, but kinder, gentler ones.

And though most of my acquaintances from Bhutan have remained anonymous, this one has a nice story about his adventure in his hometown paper. I'm sorry that we disappointed him by splitting checks - oddly, that was rarely my habit with other friends.