All that glitters is not gold. Shwedagon Paya in Yangon is revered as the most holy site in Myanmar and so naturally we headed there our first evening in the city. It certainly rivals the great cathedrals of Europe and it’s a great privilege to be able to visit the site that many of the Myanmar people only dream to go. Surrounding the great pyramid of gold is a spectacle of lights and mirrors, pagodas with intricate carving, rituals of bathing your birthday-Buddha, and people watching of all shapes and flavors. I long to feel the holiness of the place, to know the deep connection, but my holy place is in the quiet sanctuary of nature. I have not mastered, or is it have not embraced, reverence with the masses and bright chaser lights. -k.
The broom brigade. Shwedegon Pagoda is a vast comples, and one with a lot of floor space. We were told that groups sign-up to be part of these broom crews, and they are directed by broom-sweeping professionals to keep Shwedegon well swept. And that it is! -w
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