Thursday, March 29, 2018
Skipped lunch to go straight to the Paro Tshechu (a Buddist religious festival) as it was supposed to end at 3pm. Festival was not what we were expecting. Lots of colourful costumes and all the spectators were wearing their formal dress as well . But only dancing and singing and very, very slow paced. Sat in the hot sun in a stone amphitheatre for 2 hours. Interesting but tedious. Some subject matter was odd as well. Folks constantly being beaten with sticks and women’s noses being cut off because they were molested. Hmmm. Quite the festive atmosphere but infact all extremely religious. We were expecting more of a carnival and eating, drinking, and carousing beyond the dance venue.
Tshechu was held in the courtyard of the Paro Dzong (fortress). After the performance we toured the massive Dzong then drove up to its Watchtower to see the temporary exhibits of the Museum (under renovation ). Quick stop in “downtown” Paro for coffee then drove about 2.5 km out of town to our hotel.
