Dzongkha, Tibetan, and other Related Langauges

Ever since a few years ago when National Geographic featured an article on "Bhutan", I've been thoroughly interested in the small Buddhist nation. For quite a while since then, my meager reserach has provided me with a few facts. The first of which was that I probably wouldn't be able to make a trip to Bhutan any time soon. While traveling to any country isn't cheap - Bhutan has an added fee of around 200 USD per day just for being in the country? (I'm not sure if this is only a tourist thing, or if you could get in without this fee by studying something). Up until now, my research revealed that "Dzongkha" was the national language - however, just today I read that Dzongkha isn't actually well established. In fact, students prefer English to Dzongkha, and I'm not actually seeing what is the normal language spoken. There have been mentions of Nepalese being outlawed. I've also seen that Tshala (spelling?) is spoken in the eastern regions. One of the more frustrating - but surely interesting if you have the time to study it - of smaller countries is the lack of uniformity. When you go to Japan, you know you're going to find Japanese speakers whereever you go. But you head to Bhutan and can't even find a clear langauge spoken.
So instead of seeking out Dzongkha resources (of which there are few), I think I'm going to stick with learning Tibetan first, which I read today is actually not that closely related to Dzongkha. However, both use the same writing system - which is what attracts me to the language in the first place.
Another stumbling block is that well, Tibetan is closely related with Buddhism. While this is to be expected, my curiousity strikes if it would ever be possible to study Tibetan without an intensive study of Buddhism, that is to say, I'm not against learning about Buddhism, but I don't practice Buddhism. I'm a Christian and I don't have plans to convert any time soon. Some of the few things I've glanced over that allow you to learn Tibetan are usually closely associated with Buddhism - such as a temple offering classes. I wonder how it would be viewed as a Christian going to a Buddhist temple to learn Tibetan? My purpose in learning Tibetan isn't for comprehension of Buddhist texts though, and I have a feeling that's what such a class would focus on.
This whole religon infused with culture is something to be expected. I've already faced some personal dilemmas about it. I love Buddhist and Shinto temples and cultural festivals, yet they're quite readily infused with the religon. Is it okay for me to appreciate such things without practicing the faith - and actually having an entirely different faith.
Another thing on my list of things that would be nice to accomplish is to walk on this path thing around Japan that connects a bunch of temples. I'm forgotten what its called, but it sounds like fun. I probalby would only walk part of the way, but honestly, so much fun, and so pretty I bet~
Aahh, anyways, I'm being ridiculous right now.

I need to get back to my reading "Words and Rules" and working on my EE...