Rainy Market

It's been raining sheets since last night and that's put a bit of a damper on our planned activities, with a long morning hike a casualty of the rains.

Instead, we popped into the oldest dzong of the country (established in the 1600s), then stopped at a paper manufacturing place which felt like a throwback to the 19th century: all the processes there are fully manual from the soaking of the fibers to the sifting of the pulp and the hanging of sheets to dry. The result, however, is magnificently unique paper (yes, I got a few knick-knacks for presents...).

The Fall Festival, which went on in spite of the soaking, also features a very large open market for locals (quite distinct from the "arts & crafts" on sale for tourists).  It was fun strolling through that for a look at life unfiltered :)