A quick flight from Mandalay will land you in Bagan and right in the middle of 2,000 plus temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. So out of those 2,000 plus, the Shwezigone pagoda was the first to visit, but it was the Ananda and the Sulamani temples that stole my heart…for many reasons. First, it was heaven for someone like me that loves that look of rust, and golden brown-like patina. Second, I totally fell in love with the Burmese script, a work of art in itself.
burmese script
And third…this gentleman at the Ananda temple selling Buddhist prayer beads was absolutely adorable and so proud that he was 78 years old. (As he should be since the life expectancy in Myanmar is 65!) The beads are a traditional tool used to count the number of times a mantra is recited while meditating, very similar to a rosary. Isn’t he so cute? How could one not buy beads from him?
And fourth, how could one not purchase sand paintings (yes, both of these!) from an adorable, soft-spoken gal (with perfect English I might add!) also on the premises of the Ananda temple? So proud of her art…
And while we on the subject of beautiful hand-made work from the locals of Bagan, Myanmar…how about their beautiful lacquerware? The raw material used to manufacture the objects is bamboo…
Fast forward through the process (you can read more about it here) involves applying and drying the lacquer seven or eight times and then sandpapering to prepare for the decoration, the final process.
Again…how can one not buy to help the locals with their beautiful craft? More of Bagan…to come…as well as my fabulous lacquerware purchases in a future post!
Looks like a marvelous place to visit.
How many of the lacquer bowls did you manage to carry home?Wonderful pictures of the work process.But my favorite is the adorabe prayer beads seller…Will try to find him when visiting the temples! Thank you !
I just LOVE how you are telling your story of Myanmar through pictures, Robin. The human touch truly is what sets you apart!!! I especially love the foot holding the bamboo!
Fascinating to see how they can turn bamboo into their beautiful products. Great photo’s telling the story frissy. XoXo MORE!!!
I’d fall for those colors and textures, too! In fact, I do, even when I can’t see them IRL but just in your pictures. All those smiled you’re always bringing home from your trips! Love it.
I would probably spend all my time standing in front of that beautiful wall with the old brick showing thru … but I also would have bought beads from the cute guy.
Love, love, love!!! My favorite is the prayer beads. I am just in heaven experiencing this magnificent place through your eyes.
To show all the proud people is wonderful. They are so good in what they do. Proud of what they do. So different from what we experience here in the rushing world around us. This is a totally different world you show us. Thank you, it is fabulous. Great shots.
Could your images get any more beautiful?!! Just stunning photography!
With so many opportunities to purchase beautiful handmade art, you must have been in heaven (as long as your suitcase was big enough to get it all home ;0)
Fantastic, all round!