Bago and The Golden Rock - Jan 15th

Hello there everyone, Well I wrote my first blog the other day from Myanmar but it bounced back and would not take it. I guess I can not use my blog until Thailand. So I am reverting back to e-mail instead. We arrived safe and sound in Myanmar on Sunday. What a spectacular country. We absolutely love it here. If anyone got my first e-mail I am sorry if I repeat. I do not think it was sent though. The people in this country are truly the kindest, happiest people I have ever met. They have been treating Addi and I like queens. People here love to talk with us and especially love me because of my tattoos. They are truly facinated with them and they all come up smiling to talk and ask questions. It is truly amazing how many people here speak perfect English. I think this is my favorite country I have ever visited so far. On Sunday we went and explored Yangon by foot. Our tour did not start until Sunday night. We walked all over. We got amazing huge plate of Veggie Indian Bryiani for 900 kyats ($0.80) each. Our entire meal was under $2. Then we went and did a walking tour of the main area. They have a great temple and stuppa in the main traffic circle called the Sule Paya. It has great buddhas with neon lights over their head. The temple work is fabulous. We met some monks at Independance monument in the gardens near the main circle. They asked us to join them for a tea so they could practice their English. It was a great experience. They were really great. They invited us to come and teach English to the other monks at their Monestary a week from Friday when we return to Yangon. I think it will be a great opportunity. Later in the afternoon we took a taxi to see a large reclining buddha temple a bit further across town. It was huge and amazing too. The feet still have the 108 teachings of the buddha but in a different form then I've seen before. We met our group a bit later. Small world there are 4 retirees from Toronto with us and one retired teacher from San Francisco. A good group over all. Our tour leader is around our age and is very knowledgable of Asia. Yesterday we headed out of Yangon for the "golden rock" for the night. It is a temple high on top of a mountain. It is built around this rock that is hanging over the edge of a cliff that was painted gold and is considered one of the most religious sites in the county. They believe the hair of the buddha holds the rock in place. It was a 6 hour drive to get to the hills. We stopped in a town called Bago at another temple with 4 huge buddhas sitting back to back. It was built in the honour of 4 sisters who never married. They believed if any of them ever married their respective buddha would crumble. One did marry and her buddha crumbled many years later in the 1930 earthquake (so it was fixed). When we got to the bottom of the hill we had to take a truck 1/2 way up with the locals. They crammed at least 60 people in this truck with 2x4s for seats. It was crowded and like a crazy roller coaster ride. I was happy to be in the front row so we could stand up and hold on to the top of the truck. Then we had to walk 45 minutes up hill to the top. We stayed at a hotel at the top of the hill with breathtaking views of the mountains. The temple was amazing and the people were so happy. Many locals travel there on pilgrimiges at least a few times a year if they can. It is great to see so many children and families playing and hanging out. No kids ever seem to cry. Everything is still super cheap. 1L of water is $0.25. We watched the sunset at the temple and finished the night off with a great meal at the hotel. Today we woke up early and went and watched the sunrise at the temple with the locals. It was only me and Addi. It was great to chat with so many people again. Then we toured down. This time I had a horrible but adventurous truck ride down. I was in the middle of the 60 people and could not even put my knees straight out so I had to tuck them unded the 2x4 and people in front of me. Going down we had to brace ourselves with only one hand to not slide right off the seat. My feet were asleep and my hands cramped for the 45 minutes but overall I loved it. We stopped again in Bago at another huge reclining buddha and just arrived back in Yangon an hour ago. We are off to dinner in a bit and the grocery store. We have an unairconditioned 15 hour train ride with the locals tomorrow to Mandalay. Should be interesting. Then up to the north of the county. I will try to write if I can but I hear e-mail is even worse there. I really hope this one actually makes it out. Take care and lots of love, Sonya:)