we stayed only a few minutes away from yangon's treasure: the shwedagon pagoda.
gold, gold, gold.
more gold than i've ever seen at any temple in asia.
gold, gold, gold.
more gold than i've ever seen at any temple in asia.
this buddhist pagoda is believed to be 2,600 years old, making
it the oldest pagoda in burma and in the world. it's the most impressive temple i've seen before. the gold and detail of each stupa is incredible.
take your shoes off when you enter, but don't be surprised to find your feet black from dirt when you leave.
we silently observed the worshipers. i'd read a lot about this pagoda, and watched a documentary explaining the rites and significance of many things we saw.
whatever your age, pour that number of cups of holy water over the buddha. nate was standing by when a little lady offered him a cup, so he joined right in.
whatever your age, pour that number of cups of holy water over the buddha. nate was standing by when a little lady offered him a cup, so he joined right in.
the day we visited happened to be an exciting day. men carried boys dressed in gold-adorned ceremonial clothing on their shoulders, shaded by fancy umbrellas. families trailed behind, and it was like a big parade at the temple. i tried to decipher what was going on, but i only managed to get something about how the boys were parading to the monastery.
i loved watching the familial interactions, and as i snapped photo after photo...and look! oh that baby is so cute...i realized that i was now one of those tourists. the ones who snap photo after photo of my caucasian child. the ones who i want to ask, "really? what exactly are you going to do with a photo of some random white toddler?" but i couldn't help myself. these people were beautiful, intriguing, and quite eager to have their picture taken. i think they thought i was a journalist or something.
this family was having formal photos taken, and i stood behind and watched. the photographer saw the camera in my hands, stepped out of the way, and said, "now you."
i loved watching the familial interactions, and as i snapped photo after photo...and look! oh that baby is so cute...i realized that i was now one of those tourists. the ones who snap photo after photo of my caucasian child. the ones who i want to ask, "really? what exactly are you going to do with a photo of some random white toddler?" but i couldn't help myself. these people were beautiful, intriguing, and quite eager to have their picture taken. i think they thought i was a journalist or something.
this family was having formal photos taken, and i stood behind and watched. the photographer saw the camera in my hands, stepped out of the way, and said, "now you."
we liked this guy's version of worshiping...
the huge, ornate staircases going down from the main temple area almost as impressive as the temple itself, and filled with trinkets of course.
and by night.
It looks like Burma is HOT, but hotter than Cambodia?
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