eyes turned skyward: First Impressions

As we began the approach to land in Rangoon, I was so eager to see what was out the window. From my high vantage point the land looked green and lush, and I could see lots of small rivers and lakes as well as fields dotted with small towns. Once we got lower to the ground I could see the gleam of sunlight on the gold leaf painted stupas and pagodas dotting the land - I was really here!

I exchanged money, went through Immigration and Customs, and made my way to the taxi stand. Here I decided to try my fledgling Burmese! I really only know 3 phrases so far - hello, thank you, and please. Mingalaba, I said to the ladies at the taxi stand. I must have pronounced it at least mostly correctly, because they rewarded me with huge smiles! In English I gave them the name of the hotel I was going to and they got me to a taxi. I think that the company that I am traveling with, Intrepid, has great pricing, but sometimes you automatically pay an inflated price when using a company. Here's an example - the transport that they offer to and from the hotel was $20 one way. My taxi rate was $8. Much better!

Walking outside to the taxi I immediately felt my senses soaking in the tropics. Warm, damp air, birds calling, woodsmoke in the air - there aren't the words to describe it. The taxi ride was about 30 minutes into the heart of the city. Some of the images that I saw that remain in my mind like a photo include seeing monks walking down a path between tall, large leafed trees. Watching a little boy sitting on a bicycle seat behind his brother and seeing him flex his arm muscles and smile. Passing a soccer pitch with barefoot boys running and playing. Coming into the city and seeing the spires of the Shwedagon Paya, going around a corner and seeing it at the end of a wide avenue. I must have inhaled sharply when I saw it, because the driver said "yes, beautiful, yes?" Oh my goodness yes!

The Shwedagon Paya is the most religious site within Myanmar, said to contain 8 hairs of the Buddha, it is covered with gold, 5,500 diamonds, and hundreds of other precious gems. It sits on a hill overlooking the city. I'll be spending time there on Monday.

Pulling up to the hotel, I unloaded my bag and went inside. Once I got into my room I realized just how tired I was. I've also been fighting a cold, so I decided it was time to rest.

Now it is Saturday morning and I'm getting ready to head to breakfast, then on to Kyaikhtyio. It is a 4 hour drive and once we arrive we will be visiting the holy Golden Rock. This is a huge boulder completely painted with gold leaf and delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff, and it is a major site of pilgrimage for Buddhists. We drive to the base of the mountain, then are hiking to the top to enjoy the sunset and visit the pagoda. We'll be spending the night in Kyaikhtyio, then going to Bago tomorrow.