Myanmar - A Photographer's Dream

The day we went back to Shwedegon dawned brilliantly clear, and a photographer couldn't ask for anything better.  This post is going to be mostly pictures, but I'm sure most people will be fine with that because I think they skim over the writing anyway.

As you walk around the stupa, there are different eight stations to stop at, corresponding to the day you are born (if that doesn't add up it's because Wednesday has two).  I'm a Monday which is a Tiger...

And David is a Tuesday which is a Lion.  (Min Min says that this is okay that we're together, no conflict.  Whew!)  You pour three cups of water over each of the three statures...

Then ring the bell to spread your good deeds to everyone within earshot.

This monk was slouched against one of the buddha statues, smoking a cigarette when I walked by and asked to take his picture.  He nodded and smiled, stubbing out his cigarette and then struck a pose.  I sort of wanted the smoking/slouching version of him, but I suppose this is nice too.

 Prayer time around the stupa...

And to conclude, just a few more practicing-my-Photoshop-skills pictures...

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Later this afternoon, another non-lunch with the monks!