Locals in Rukha chiwog under Wangdue Phodrang have to host visiting officials at their homes since the community is one of the most remote places without a proper guesthouse. However, with the ongoing construction of a two-storied guesthouse, the problem will soon be solved.
Tarayana foundation provided the construction materials while the community manages the labour among themselves. According to the Tarayana Foundation official, the two-storied Bhutanese structured traditional house will also serve as mini-museum. Olep’s aged old cultures and artifacts will be displayed in the museum for the public.
Today, the outer structure of the guesthouse construction is almost complete and left only with the inner works. The guesthouse will be spacious with a separate washroom outside. According to the locals, the community receives official from their dzongkhag as well as from other districts too. Besides that, some international people also come to the community of Olep to see and learn about their culture and language.
“We have to divide the guests and keep them with us at our houses due to lack of a guesthouse here. But we know that they are not feeling convenient while working. We are not being able to provide them with accommodation all together in one house while guests come in a group. So, they are wasting their time when we keep them separately among us,” Chokila, Rukha Chiwog, Wangdue Phodrang, said.
“We find difficult to arrange and prepare meals for the foreigner guests and facing problem while serving them. They are taking meals with less salt, which we do not have, that kind of cooking experiences. Moreover, we have to arrange blankets and mattresses from neighbours for the guests. We even cannot manage all the set of meals takes by foreign tourists by one person. ” Wangdi, Tshogpa, Rukha Chiwog, said.
The guesthouse will be taken care of by the community and according to the villagers, a reasonable charge will be imposed on the guests. They say it will help them to manage the guesthouse successfully in future.
Once this guesthouse construction is complete, the guests can enjoy privacy and those officials who need to work together will find it convenient.
