“Bagan is like living in history. Lake Inley is like living in a dream. Rahkine is like a Legend”
My mom is full of adventure and a yearn for exploration. I can tell her spirit isn't quite settled when she can't get a taste of Travel. More often then not her need for adventure ends up taking us to some off-the-beaten path places. I mean, even when we did a family trip to Paris, a place that the first thing that comes to mind is romance and beauty, she took us on a tour of the sewers. But that's a whole other story for another post! The one I'm about to share is about our trip to Myanmar.
Myanmar got on my Mom's radar from seeing photos of it's beautiful temples and fairytale like landscapes. And she thought, what better place to celebrate New years and take advantage of Christmas Time off?!
So immediately after landing in Yangon we went to the Reclining Buddha. My Mom doesn't waste any time! This was a great introduction to Myanmar, a Buddhist country. We walked around the enormous ornate Buddha as he stared back over us. Everything about the Buddha represented something important, on his feet he had the universe etched in red and gold. People would come to pay their respects and light incense. There is also a shrine next to the Buddha that represents the days of the week where people will pray to the day belonging to their birthday.
After the Reclining Buddha, we strolled through the city which was like a cultural lesson for the senses. The whole city was alive with activity. There were busy market places and stands selling books. Dotting the sidewalks were small noodle and tea carts that had play plastic tables and chairs next to them. The streets were humming with traffic which all ended up circling a huge golden pagoda in the middle of the city.
That evening we ventured to Swedagon Pagoda. I have never seen anything like it in my life. The Pagoda is filled with Golden Temples and Shrines that turned more golden as the sun's rays tickled their surfaces. I loved all the colorful statues depicting different characters from the Buddhist stories. Exploring this Pagoda was such a treat. Felt like we entered a storybook.
My mom loved the Buddhas in the alcoves that had multi-colored lights swirling behind them. She cleverly thought they looked like Disco Buddhas. They illuminated even more as the sun set behind the spires of gold.
With the morning light shining bright we went to a Buddhist Nunnery. There were girls of all ages in pink robes with shining heads reflecting the morning rays. My Mom and I were allowed to walk around and see where they live, pray, and learn. The girls were all smiles and laughter.
From the pinks of the nunnery we went to the reds and golds of a monastery. My Mom and I were guided through their Temple and compound. We then watched in wonderment as all the monks of all ages lined up for lunch time. Youngest to Oldest. There was no pushing or yelling, everyone waited patiently for the time to enter the food hall. Once they were inside they said their prayer together in unison.
We then visited a Music School and watched a performance by the students. Afterwards a teacher took us on a tour of their humble building. It was wonderful to see how many kids benefited from the music lessons. As a girl who grew up in America, I was afforded an equal education of the arts, maths, sciences, and history, it is always an eye opener to see how other kids in the world get educated and things I've taken for granted because they are so readily available in the U.S. This music school allows kids to learn how to play instruments since most can not afford an instrument of their own. Traveling with my Mom has always been a secondary form of education. It has allowed me to see and understand other parts of the world. My Mom may not realize it, but that has shaped who I am today. People often say actions speak louder then words, so I would say that experiences last longer then anything you can study in a book. And I am so grateful for that education.
Then of course one of the best parts of travel: FOOD. We had lunch at this outdoor restaurant with colorful lanterns floating from the surrounding trees. We had butter fish curry, chicken curry, and a watercress dish. All absolutely delicious.
After, with our bellies full, we wandered through the twists and turns of the oldest marketplace in the city. It felt like an enormous maze of curiosities, There were gems in cases, bags hanging like bats down sides of alcoves to sellers, puppets dangling on strings watching the passers-by, Fruits filling the air with sweet scents, and colorful bolts of fabrics. The aisles were narrow forcing your eyes to take everything in.
To end our day and visit to Yangon, we ventured to the only Synagogue in the city. The area used to be a Jewish neighborhood but now it is a thriving muslim community. The temple was very nice and the temple's president showed us two old Torahs that were originally from Baghdad. My Mom and I as well as five other foreigners visiting the Temple lit the menorah for the last night of Hanukkah. Was a unique experience to share with my Mom in a far-away county.
