The Elderly Man at the Doorway

As I strolled through the courtyard of the Ogyen Choling Palace Museum in the Tang Valley of Bhutan, my ears were caught by the sound of voices and laughter emanating from an open doorway. My gaze fell upon an elderly man with a weathered face, dressed in traditional clothing, sitting in the doorway. I couldn't discern whether he was listening to the chatter of a group of elderly women inside the room or engaged in prayer...
Summoning my courage, I approached the man and requested to take his picture. He didn't react at first, but after I snapped a few shots, lowered my camera, and nodded my thanks, he smiled back at me. I am still pondering what he might have been thinking at that moment... – Ogyen Choling Palace Museum, Tang Valley, Bhutan