Now That's a Big Dude

We had our morning free before meeting up with our workshop group in the afternoon.  A little further from the Shwedagon Pagoda is another important but lesser known religious site, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda.  Inside is a 216 foot reclining Buddha encrusted in jewels and mirrors.  This obviously is not a major tourist attraction because we were some of the few visitors there that were not in prayer.  Robed Monks, both young and old, traveled around the pagoda both talking and praying. We also had an incredible view overlooking several other temples and what appeared to be the monastery where the monks reside.  Cats roamed the floor and were quite comfortable with people, one even lounged in the lap of a meditating monk.  Shrines with much smaller (but with the Vegas light halos) surrounded the perimeter of the building.  It was well worth the trip.

When we returned to the hotel we had a couple of hours before the group meeting.  We ventured back to the nearby market onto the train platform that ran adjacent to it.  We waited for an approaching train to take pictures of the people hopping on and off.  On the platform, several vendors were set up to sell fresh cut pineapple, small oranges (what we call cuties) and street food.  A baby slept undisturbed on a step while his dad tended to his wares.  Two charming Indian gentlemen wanted to visit with us about where we were from.  They let us know they were Catholic and that we could find them near the platform if we happened to return.

Our group met for a briefing on what to expect for the week and introductions of the participants.  We have people from Canada, Scotland, NYC, Detroit, Hawaii, a very varied crowd with skills ranging from professionals to ‘just picked up a camera’.  We left from the hotel to return to Shwedagon for a sunset shoot.

The atmosphere was different from our earlier visit, with more people milling around, various ceremonies being performed and a gentle afternoon light covering the complex.  We had more time this visit and used it to roam on our own looking for great shots to share with the class.  Each of us found our birth day, mine being Sunday, and were encouraged to find our corner and participate in the pouring of water over our day shrine. 

The complex has so many gold leafed spires that it is actually difficult to photograph them with the sun shining.  But as the sun set and the lights came on everything took on a golden glow.  Little children were shown by a parent how to strike the oversized bells with large wooden strikers. In some countries, people do not like you to take pictures of their children, but not here.  They seemed proud that you found their children charming and would even help you by posing them. 

We gathered at the Monday corner to depart for dinner at an old historic building that had once served as the office of Aung Sung, the father of the women responsible for the current democracy movement in the country.  He is an important figure to the Burmese people as both a war hero and the person who helped free them from British rule.  It was lovely place to share family style Burmese cuisine with our new group.

Tomorrow: So you think that was a good shot?