How is this building still standing? Manali, in the Kullu Valley, Northern India

Manali is absolutely beautiful, with mountains all around and the Beas River below. Set at the end of the Kullu Valley, I really wanted to visit this region because of its stunning textiles. At the time of our visit I was about to start a PhD all about hand-weaving (which I later quit, that's a post for another day!), and I had been obsessed with textiles my whole life.

Kullu textiles have brightly coloured geometric patterns (originally derived from ancestral patterns, but today I think they are often modified to appeal to a tourist audience), and are traditionally woven on hand looms from sheeps wool. (Again, today you can often find blends of angora or cashmere which produce softer textiles, to appeal to a more western market). Visiting Manali was such a treat, because people have their looms set up right outside their house. When walking around you can often hear the click-clack of the shuttle passing thread back and forth - a sound I got to know extremely well over the next 3 years. I came away from my stay here with a beautiful traditional Kullu blanket, scarf, and some socks from local weaving co-operatives - all of which I still treasure, and use a lot in my chilly home!

I took this photo because as well as the textiles, I became slightly obsessed with the beautifully chaotic wooden architecture. This is a classic example... I love it!

^{Be sure to click on the image to view full screen!}