TREKKING ACROSS MYANMAR

At the end of my second week in Myanmar I traveled to Kalaw where I booked a trek through Shan country from Kalaw to Nyaungshwe on Inle Lake. Here are a few pictures from my slide show to give you an idea of the varied terrain. The only thing you won’t see in the photos, however, is how broiling hot it was. Thankfully, Taung Yo, our superb cook, lent me his long-sleeved shirt so I avoided certain sunstroke!

I traversed with a French couple, a guide, and the cook. We walked through numerous villages and tribal enclaves, stopping frequently to exchange greetings with an assortment of people. Everyone was eager to be photographed. It’s the instant replay that fascinates. I’ve discovered that one of the best things about digital cameras is witnessing the glee with which the children view their photos. They squeal, jump up and down, run to show their friends, and immediately want MORE. Kids are the same everywhere—a delight to behold.

Taung Yo, our cook. Farmer met along a bumpy country road

Wandering up and down dale

A lazy day in the village

We met lots of children along the way. Notice the sunscreen….

They found us quite a curious lot….

We camped at a Buddhist monastery along the way. Was fascinated listening to the youngest monks learning their chants. Here I am standing with the head monk.

Taung Yo’s makeshift kitchen. The food was a wonderful vegetarian cuisine. Each of us enjoyed a whole avocado daily!

Fishermen on Inle Lake.

A coveted job…digging rich soil from the lake bottom. Notice how one foot is used to paddle and steer the boat

Floating flower and vegetable gardens made from the fresh loam

More fisherman plumb the depths of the lake

Bridges and pedestrian walkways abound on the lake

A typical house on stilts on the lake shore

More scenes on Inle Lake

Many temples along the lake

Morning chores in Nyaungshwe

Heading for work

In front of the gate of one of many temples

A haircut right in your own backyard, before school….

Headed out of town on a Myanmar super highway, circa 2008. For the few who own cars, gas is sold in quart bottles

I’m not finished with Myanmar. Indulge me one more time as I post a series of pictures of the Golden Rock, the ancient city of Bagan, with over 2,000 pagodas and temples, Mandalay and environs, and Hsipaw, high in the mountains. I shall be back in July after attending the Mt. Laurel Autoharp Gathering in Newport, PA, and spending a week with my two sisters at our cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Summer is finally here and I love it!

Footnote: What a season this has been on Broadway! I managed to take in most of the Tony winners and especially liked Peter and the Starcatcher, the clever, fast-moving prequel to Peter Pan, and the hilarious Venus in Fur with Nina Arianda and Hugh Dancy. Also, a special treat was Harold Pinter’s Caretaker, starring the inimitable Jonathan Pryce, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and Simon Gray’s Common Pursuit. I was thrilled at long last to see the stunning London production of War Horse...a birthday treat from Paul Sharar and family. There was also a provocative English import, Cock, and the Signature Theater’s revival of Athol Fugard’s My Children! My Africa! that I had seen in 1989 shortly after I returned from my initial trip to South Africa. It still packs a wallop. And guess what…tomorrow I see Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. How good is that!