This is another shot of the beautiful bridge that spans the river between the two parts of the weekend market (produce on one bank, clothes/handicrafts on the other).Friday, January 7, 2011
The weekend market
This is another shot of the beautiful bridge that spans the river between the two parts of the weekend market (produce on one bank, clothes/handicrafts on the other).
Around town
This is a religious building in the city, located near the weekend market. I will be stopping by the market shortly for some fresh produce for the week!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Snowfall on New Year's Day
There was snowfall around the valley in the early hours of New Year's Day. This was the view in the morning on Jan. 2 -- by the afternoon, much of this snow was already gone.
Hikes around Thimphu
We went for a hike yesterday, just about an hour long, up to one of the many monasteries around Thimphu. Prayer flags, little stupas, and the monastery itself fitted right into the face of the mountain. Incredible.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
We had a blast out on the town in Thimphu for New Year's Eve. At a fascinating talk in the afternoon, we met three expats who are teaching out at a college in Eastern Bhutan. Their stories of life out there were incredible, and I can't wait to visit the east now -- it sounds like a place of stunning beauty and very different from the capital.
We shared a couple beers after the talk, then the three of us women got our hair cut. I hadn't been planning on it, but I figured why not -- and guess what look I'm sporting now?? Hint: I haven't looked like this since I was about 10 and my mom cut my and my sister's hair exactly the same way.
For dinner, a delicious Thai restaurant, and then we visited a couple bar/restaurants for drinks. Lots of young people out on the street and in the hip bar we ended the night at. We even attempted to visit a discotheque -- but balked at the 1,500 Nu price tag (that is around $30-ish). Lovely way to end the year, and bring in the new one.
We shared a couple beers after the talk, then the three of us women got our hair cut. I hadn't been planning on it, but I figured why not -- and guess what look I'm sporting now?? Hint: I haven't looked like this since I was about 10 and my mom cut my and my sister's hair exactly the same way.
For dinner, a delicious Thai restaurant, and then we visited a couple bar/restaurants for drinks. Lots of young people out on the street and in the hip bar we ended the night at. We even attempted to visit a discotheque -- but balked at the 1,500 Nu price tag (that is around $30-ish). Lovely way to end the year, and bring in the new one.
Traditional roofs
Traditionally, (but not anymore) roofs used stones like in this photo. This picture shows the roofing at the stadium in Thimphu. The area to the left of center with the big gold circle is where His Majesty watches archery tournaments from.
A car
This week we settled into something resembling a routine, working from our apartment in the morning and going into town most afternoons to meet contacts and friends.
Because we're far enough away from the city that getting into town is a bit difficult and because Matt will need to be mobile for his research, we ended up buying a 2003 car for $2,200. This is $700 more than we paid for our 1990 acura in the US. It is a tiny little red thing -- think Smart Car, but with 4 seats. I've only driven a tiny bit, and although it feels odd to drive on the opposite side of the road and shift with my left hand, so far, so good.
Because we're far enough away from the city that getting into town is a bit difficult and because Matt will need to be mobile for his research, we ended up buying a 2003 car for $2,200. This is $700 more than we paid for our 1990 acura in the US. It is a tiny little red thing -- think Smart Car, but with 4 seats. I've only driven a tiny bit, and although it feels odd to drive on the opposite side of the road and shift with my left hand, so far, so good.
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