bA friend told me that she had to look up Myanmar on a map to find out where it is. We grew up knowing it as Burma, and maybe someday it will revert back to that name. By whatever name, it feels exotic and untouched, which comes from really being sealed off from the rest of the world.
When Jim and I went to Thailand many years ago we wanted to go to Burma, but it was not possible.
Then recently we happened to listen to a long audiobook about the history of Burma which reignited our interest in coming here. So it was added to our itinerary. Now it is the new hot spot travel destination! Travel and Leisure picked it as a top destination for 2015 , wouldn't you just know it...whatever. But having been here for all of one day, I would say this is the place to come for temples and a look at Asia as it once was, crumbling buildings and all. I said to jim that Myanmar, and Yangon in particular, (formerly Rangoon) feels like it is on the cusp between nothing and something. I gave that description to a classy woman we met from Hong Kong and she thought it was so apt!
Enough talking, let's see some photos, and man, do I have photos!
This is a first peek at " our temple" right around the corner from our hotel.
Love, love these temple offerings in the form of umbrellas! It kills me to not bring these lovely paper delicacies home.
Bigger view. As you can see by the taxi, Myanmar is modernizing!
Jim is scoping out his future food cart! No doubt the owner wouldn't want to part with it, though.
On to the granddaddy of them all, the Shwedagon pagoda. This is what I came here to see, and it did not disappoint! Jim said "how would you even describe this?" I dunno, maybe just say "this is the coolest and most amazing temple you will ever see", but then that is just my opinion.
It was a national holiday so there were hundreds of people there to pray and make offerings. Always more fun to be there when it is crowded with locals.
This guy is not a local, but he could almost pass for one. Made the mistake of wearing shorts, so they got him fixed up with traditional dress at reception. Many many men still dress this way.
She was my favorite. They receive this pale yellowish paste in the form of a blessing . Most people had some form of it.
Jim applying good leaf to the statue of Buddha.
We ended our long, hot day with a sunset boat cruise on the river. This is the way it's 'sposed to be!
For about the same price as our terrible boat trip up a muddy river, we had two free drinks and a little plate of roast chicken and endless shrimp and potato chips!
Plus, a beautiful sunset!
Gotta do as the locals do!
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