Sonam Quotes in Travelers and Magicians (2003)

Sonam: [Answering Dondup, who is wondering why she won't pursue higher education when she has the opportunity to do so] I want to help my father. My mother's dead, and he's all alone. Isn't it our duty to look after our parents when they're old?

Sonam's Father: So, is it really true you're not coming back to the village?

Dondup: I have a great opportunity to go to America. If I'm not in Thimphu tomorrow I may miss it.

Sonam's Father: Will you go there for good?

Dondup: I don't know, maybe.

Sonam's Father: It must be very beautiful there.

Sonam: I've heard they don't even know where Bhutan is.

Sonam's Father: What a pity. I hope you'll come back to our village. We need young people like you. Why are you going there?

Dondup: I can make lots of money.

Sonam's Father: doing what?

Dondup: anything. Washing dishes. Picking apples.

Sonam's Father: Oh, picking apples?

The Monk: So, you're giving up an officer's job to pick apples?

Dondup: I can make a lot more money.

Sonam's Father: Well, I guess you've made your mind up to go.

The Monk: Just don't get lost there like Tashi.

Dondup: What's the matter? You look so sad.

Sonam: Oh, it's nothing.

Dondup: Come on... tell me.

Sonam: I was thinking about the apple man.

Dondup: Why? Do you miss him?

Sonam: Yes.

Dondup: Do you always miss people you've just met?

Sonam: [Giving it some thought] It depends on who they are.