Good to Gho!

The gho is traditional men’s wear in Bhutan. The government of Bhutan requires all men to wear the gho if one works in a government office or school. Today, my colleague Nick Morris and I went shopping for ghos with the capable purchasing and bargaining assistance of BCF employee, Nima (ka drin che, again, Nima!). Although it looks like nothing more than a knee-length house coat, Nick and I worry that it will take some time before we are able to dress ourselves without the assistance of an experienced dresser. (The young men at the front desk of the Yeedzin Guest House have promised us that they will help us into our ghos in the morning.) The gho falls to floor length until hiked up and neatly pleated in the back, all held in place with a tightly cinched cloth belt or kera. Underneath, a short silk shirt is worn with startling bright white cuffs that wrap several inches up the forearm. I chose a traditional pattern for everyday use (click picture for larger view) plus an additional, brightly coloured pattern for special occasions. Tomorrow I will wear the latter (with black knee socks and dress shoes, natch) to sign my contract with the Royal Government of Bhutan. Nick and I attracted a good deal of attention from passers by after we had completed our purchase. I must confess I felt a bit like the emperor with his new clothes. A passing monk stopped to adjust one of the pleats on my gho before allowing me to continue.