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Road to Laya - Bhutan

202 images Created 9 Feb 2021

An unpublished story shot for National Geographic.

Laya village, inhabited by the Layap people, is Bhutan’s remotest village and the country's highest settlement (3820m). The face of the village is changing, as a road is slowly being built. For now, it still takes 2 days walk to reach the village, helped by horses and yaks. But cultural changes are palpable, social media in particular is having a big impact on relationships. The community’s dress is getting less and less, the youth prefers the “Supreme” shirts. Polyandry, a local marital practice, is getting rarer.
Additionally, over the last 10 years, the famous Cordyceps worm is found in the upper elevations near the village. Pushed by an increasing demand coming from China, it has brought much wealth to this region. And with wealth comes even more changes.
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  • Mother and son pose for a portrait. Son wear a Supreme brand shirt, while mother wears the traditional Laya tibetan outfit.
    MM9034_190318_2994.jpg
  • The Gasa buddhist monastery or Gasa Dzong.
    MM9034_190315_0023.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1321.jpg
  • Two monk dressed as  trumpet player. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0722.jpg
  • Monks backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1789.jpg
  • Layap women line up before a dance. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1469.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1252.jpg
  • Layap woman checking her phone.  The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0592.jpg
  • Back stage, monks practice dancing. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_0983.jpg
  • Young monks playing with fake plastic guns. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1408.jpg
  • Man holding ropes that hold the Thongdrel. Rolling and packing of the Thongdrel. A Thongdrel is a large appliqué religious image normally only unveiled during tsechus, the main religious festivals in Bhutan. They are the largest form of thangka paintings in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_0871.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0745.jpg
  • Monk holding the  hand of a statue. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0685.jpg
  • Back stage, monks practice dancing. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1024.jpg
  • Monks backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1736.jpg
  • Young monks at the Punakha monastery.
    DSCF8908.jpg
  • Driving from Thimpu to Gasa, the start of the trek, along the Mo chhu river.
    MM9034_190315_0004.jpg
  • A grand daughter helping her grand mother on the trail. On the trek going from Laya village to the beginning of the drivable road.
    MM9034_190320_3855.jpg
  • A man carrying a couch to his home. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2155.jpg
  • Men and women enjoying the hot spring. The Gasa hot springs known locally as Gasa  Tshachuu are known for their healing powers.
    MM9034_190315_0777.jpg
  • A baby girl is getting a bath with heated water during a snow storm. Inside a traditional Layap home.
    MM9034_190318_3026.jpg
  • A modern Layap home.
    MM9034_190319_3603.jpg
  • Traditional yak herders above the village of Laya.
    MM9034_190319_3188.jpg
  • A man carrying furniture up to the village. On the trek going from Laya village to the beginning of the drivable road.
    MM9034_190320_3813.jpg
  • A man carrying furniture up to the village. On the trek going from Laya village to the beginning of the drivable road.
    MM9034_190320_3814.jpg
  • Horses and people in the foggy conditions in the lower pine forest. On the trek going from Laya village to the beginning of the drivable road.
    MM9034_190320_4055.jpg
  • Horses and people in the foggy conditions in the lower pine forest. On the trek going from Laya village to the beginning of the drivable road.
    MM9034_190320_4098.jpg
  • Horses and people in the foggy conditions in the lower pine forest. On the trek going from Laya village to the beginning of the drivable road.
    MM9034_190320_4110.jpg
  • Lunch break during a snow storm. Visiting the only school in Laya village.
    MM9034_190318_2793.jpg
  • Motivational quotes on the wall of the classroom.
    MM9034_190318_2826.jpg
  • Every other day, Layap girl are asked to wear the traditional Layap outfit, including the conical bamboo hat. On other days, they must wear the "kira" the national dress. Visiting the only school in Laya village.
    MM9034_190318_2847.jpg
  • Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190319_3664.jpg
  • The Cordycep is a fungus that lives on certain caterpillars in the high mountain regions of the himalaya. Over the last 15 years, the fungus has changed the face of Laya. District officials said income poverty rate has today slumped by more than 90 percent because of the income generated by the fungus, mostly bought by Chinese.
    MM9034_190319_3627.jpg
  • Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190319_3646.jpg
  • Views over Laya village after a snow storm.
    MM9034_190319_3108.jpg
  • The Gasa buddhist monastery or Gasa Dzong.
    MM9034_190315_0753.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0479.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1330.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1350.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1375.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1584.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1647.jpg
  • Layap grandfather and grandmother with their grand daughter wearing an Supreme shirt. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1661.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0736.jpg
  • Young monk watching the performance. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0427.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0209.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0262.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1202.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0308.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0339.jpg
  • Head monk doing a selfie. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0121.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0384.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0403.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190315_0405.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0573.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0619.jpg
  • Man wearing a giant penis. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0661.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190315_0711.jpg
  • Rolling and packing of the Thongdrel. A Thongdrel is a large appliqué religious image normally only unveiled during tsechus, the main religious festivals in Bhutan. They are the largest form of thangka paintings in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_0846.jpg
  • Rolling and packing of the Thongdrel. A Thongdrel is a large appliqué religious image normally only unveiled during tsechus, the main religious festivals in Bhutan. They are the largest form of thangka paintings in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_0949.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_0968.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_0991.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1020.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1026.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1082.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1109.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1138.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1160.jpg
  • Young monks playing with fake plastic guns. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1379.jpg
  • Layap women line up before a dance. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1445.jpg
  • Layap women line up before a dance. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1511.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1561.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1687.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1692.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1710.jpg
  • Monk checking his phone. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1776.jpg
  • Monk shows his phone. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1806.jpg
  • Monks backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya.
    MM9034_190316_1828.jpg
  • Monks backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya.
    MM9034_190316_1836.jpg
  • Monks backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya.
    MM9034_190316_1862.jpg
  • The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. The focal point of the tshechus are Cham dances. These costumed, masked dances typically are moral vignettes, or based on incidents from the life of the 9th century Nyingma teacher Padmasambhava and other saints.
    MM9034_190316_1884.jpg
  • Monks backstage. The Tshechu of the Gasa monastery on the road leading to Laya. Tshechu are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district on the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar. Tshechus are large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages.
    MM9034_190316_1737.jpg
  • MM9034_190316_1928.jpg
  • View over the Mo Chuu river. The rough dirt road leading to the end of the road before trekking up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190316_2017.jpg
  • Men and women enjoying the hot spring. The Gasa hot springs known locally as Gasa  Tshachuu are known for their healing powers.
    MM9034_190315_0757.jpg
  • A care crow to scare Black Himalayan bears from eating food supply. The rough dirt road leading to the end of the road before trekking up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190316_2024.jpg
  • The rough dirt road leading to the end of the road before trekking up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190316_2042.jpg
  • The rough dirt road leading to the end of the road before trekking up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190316_2075.jpg
  • An excavator. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2138.jpg
  • A man carrying a couch to his home. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2157.jpg
  • An old man coming down from Laya, carrying a Fanta bottle. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2224.jpg
  • Young men coming down from Laya, wearing Supreme brand T-shirt. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2237.jpg
  • Young men coming down from Laya, wearing Supreme brand T-shirt. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2255.jpg
  • Portrait of a young horse caretaker. From the end of the dirt road, it takes 7 hours to trek up to Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2305.jpg
  • Karma is playing on his phone. Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2376.jpg
  • Sonam gets a wash, tomorrow is the first day of school. Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2378.jpg
  • Sonam gets a wash, tomorrow is the first day of school. Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2402.jpg
  • Soname shows a studio portrait of her her and her brother striking a pose and wearing Bhutan's national dress. Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2416.jpg
  • Sonam, 9 years old, packs her school material, tomorrow is the first day of school. Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.Life at Mr and Ms Wangchuk's house on the edge of the Laya village.
    MM9034_190317_2475.jpg
  • Kids skipping school and playing a type of billiard.
    MM9034_190319_3303.jpg
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