This morning, we got up and ate thukpa (rice porridge), suja (butter tea), and desi (sweet yellow rice). Afterwards, we headed to the choesham (altar) to start our rimdo. Rimdo is a ritual that we do annually together as a family to protect us and to have good luck for the year. We prostrated ourselves and then sat down for about an hour of praying. The rest of the day was filled with eating, praying and conversing with family.

Today, I woke up extra early because we are going to Tshechu. Tshechu is an event that happens annually from the 11th to the 15th on the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar. On Tshechu day, we get to listen to traditional musical performances, watch masked dancers perform, and watch religious ceremonies. My favorite part is we get to laugh at an atsara (comedian) while he plays pranks on members of the audience.

Today, we visited the longest suspension bridge that crosses the Pho Chhu River in Punakha, Bhutan. It is approximately 160 meters long and 1.2 meters wide. It was very scary, as with every step I took the bridge felt like it was swaying, but I overcame my fear and managed to cross the bridge. It was certainly an amazing experience.