Bagan Temples

I have put a considerable amount of effort downloading pictures of templeage  so you better enjoy!!!!

First stop was the market to photograph local folk with fruit, I already have a zillion market photos so decided not to share but do want to show you this particularly fine example of gnarly old monkage (incidentally, he did ask for a donation after catching me with my zoom out).

Then it was the temples, all of them are between 11th and 13th century and built by kings with unpronounceable names, go on wikipedia if you want more info but enjoy the pics. All the pagodas and buddhas are covered in gold leaf. I think Myanmar are singularly responsible for record heights in the price of bullion.

Shwe zi gone Pagoda

Ntilominlo Temple

A Kayan woman, I love this photo.

View from the top.

Ananda Temple

Thatbyinyu Temple, this temple was very Dullsville so all you get is a picture of Adi lady outside.

The PyramidTemple (can't remember the real name), famed for the decorative art on the walls. In most of the pagodas this has been eaten/worn away by termites.

Interesting facts. Locals have lived in the temples to shelter from bombings in the second world war and escape recent tribal persecution from the military government. UNESCO are involved with heritage and preservation, local folk have been renovating and rebuilding some of the originals as some of the smaller pagodas belong to families.

What made me happy yesterday? Time for reflection. I was remembering Sithy, the guide I had in Kratie, Cambodia. He commented on my outlook as being more Buddhist than western. As I said before, Buddhists believe all humans have 4 guardian angels, 2 for good luck and 2 for bad. They accept both as inevitable in their lives and pray to the angels to support them through bad times to make good times more sweet. I've been feeling a bit shit but y'know what? Life is sweet, I'm having a big adventure and I'm a free spirit with a broken heart. Hearts mend and so will mine. Love to you all and embrace the bad times and the lessons they teach us. Adi lady over and out xxxx