Myanmar

The day started off well, I had some breakfast and chatted with a guy from Norway before calling a cab and heading out. The taxi driver tried to make some conversation and I went along with it. I went to Chaukhtatgyi temple first where there was one of the biggest reclining Buddhas. Just the foot alone is three times bigger than an average person. Inside the temple was very peaceful and beautiful, I felt really good just looking around and sitting down, absorbing the place. They had these weird almost psychedelic lights as halos around some Buddha paintings as well. I had planned my route before hand and decided to take the road. Yangon was really amazing, Buddhism's roots are very strong here, I could see monks walking around the street, and people with some face painting. It was very different from any South East Asian country I've been to and also one of the most beautiful and culture-rich.

To get to the next temple, I had to wade across local neighborhoods, it was like a maze, but seeing the lives of the Burmese really was the best part. There were a lot of animals and the streets were also surprisingly clean. There were a lot of artisan shops creating Buddhist crafts. You can also hear Buddhist prayers around the area. I found the next temple with another giant Buddha, sat down and just vibed with everyone. Going around the temple and looking at the paintings. I also went across a garden viewing the lake on my way to Shwedagon Pagoda, the highlight of Yangon. On my way, I stopped by another temple floating on a lake. I had to take off my shoes from here on the way to Shwedagon, I was able to skip paying for a ticket with my Asian physique.

The temple complex of Shwedagon, was really out of this world. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been, with floors of white and just temples after temples, with a golden temple in the middle. It really is the most holy and sacred place in Myanmar. It had ancient trees, and free water for everyone. I stayed for a long time, and did my best to circle the whole place, visiting every nook and cranny, completely mesmerized by the sheer grandeur of the place. I was very tempted to enter the main temple but it was only for Myanmar citizens and I didn't want to risk it. I spent a very long time here until I got tired and hungry. I left the temple complex and found a restaurant that served traditional Burmese food, after eating I got on a public bus for the first time, it was really crowded and one of the passengers kindly paid for my fare and talked to me a bit. The Burmese were a very kind people, they were happy to get visitors. I stopped by the Sule pagoda next, it was smaller than Shwedagon and I had to go in bare foot again, but it was still a very quaint area. I was still a bit sick so I decided to go back to my hostel and rest for a bit.

I wanted to go at it one last time and went to Botataung Pagoda, where Buddha's tooth relic was kept. The journey was another long walk but well worth it. The interior was quite different from the rest, with golden walls and a couple of more temples. I bought a souvenir for Janelle here. On the way back, I stopped by a restaurant and ate some top quality food which was still cheap for me, I took home some fried vegetables as well. I tried to hunt for some street art before heading back to my hostel and was able to see a couple. I gave my vegetables to the guy manning the hostel, he gladly accepted it. I hanged around the hostel's gaming room and had a call with Janelle before going to sleep.Read more