As we get back into the swing of the semester, our schedules are definitely picking back up. However, that's not really my excuse for lack of writing about my break any sooner than now. Actually, the truth is that the trip to Myanmar affected me in so many ways that I knew my words would never be able to express everything that I feel needs to be told. Yet, missing the opportunity to share even a brief peek of my experiences is simply no option either.
My boss and her husband have been traveling to Myanmar (several times a year) for years. When they told Arianne and I that they planned to take another trip at the end of the semester, we were eager to join them. Myanmar prides itself as being "The Golden Land" due to the incredible amount of pagodas saturating the landscape. These Buddhist temples are routinely covered and recovered with layers upon layers of gold leaf (pure gold pounded down into paper thin strips). The careful detail and opulent design of these traditional structures stand in stark contrast to the average homes.
When we first arrived in Myanmar, we spent a day or so in Yangon. There, we were struck by the balmy climate (such a nice break from the cold, gray drizzle), the surrounding natural beauty, and the culture. The people were incredibly friendly and polite. It was surprising (and oddly refreshing) for us to see the traditional dress everywhere we went as well. Though styled and tied differently, men and women both tend to wear a traditional "longyi" - an ankle-length wrap skirt.
After Yangon, we headed up to an amazing lake resort for quite the magical New Year's Eve experience - an amazing show of traditional Burmese dance was followed by quite possibly one of the best meals of my existence. After dinner, Arianne and I took a moon-and-star-lit walk around the resort and could hear the nearby villagers celebrating to traditional music as they lit paper lanterns and sent them (some loaded with fireworks) off into the night sky.
At the lake the next day we learned about the unique culture of the people in that area. It was quite impressive how the lake is absolutely their source of life. They hydro-farm on it, fish in it, their houses on built on stilts directly above it, and boats are basically the only means of getting anywhere...even to the neighbor's house next door.
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| "Can I borrow an egg?" "Sure!" "K, I'll swim right over..." |
After a couple of days on the lake, we continued up to Mandalay where we toured innumerable pagodas, monasteries, and the like. Seriously innumerable - when we realized that we'd
each taken about 400+ pictures of said places, I asked Arianne if she didn't think we had enough pictures of pagodas and Buddhas and such. She insisted that it must be done - if we had to see all of them, she wanted her family and friends to as well, painful or otherwise. Because I care, I'll spare you that and show you the cute, little monks we ran into instead.
Even more importantly, though, we met a number of precious friends. One woman acts as a translator, creates meaningful curriculum for children, teaches at a college, regularly visits women in prison, and advocates for a community that has few to no rights/resources.
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| This was by far my favorite experience - meeting these beautiful, healthy children who now have clean, drinkable water and hearing their songs of joy raise the roof on their new Community hut. |
A friend who has found herself successful in business regularly opens both her home and pocketbook to bless those around her. She longs to see others in her country live life and live it more abundantly.
Another friend runs a growing orphanage where she cares for and educates more than 50 amazing children.
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| Ok, so this was also my favorite experience - singing and hanging out with these guys. |
Even more than the pagodas dotting the land, the hearts of the people are what make Myanmar truly golden.*
*Although I don't have the ability to share too many details here, I'd love the opportunity to share more in person with any of you (including your Communities) who might be interested! Just let me know!
