Markets and More Buddhas

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We left Kalaw, high in the hills of Shan state and drove toward Inle Lake. We saw overloaded vehicles on the way to market, women in fields cutting and threshing wheat. We stopped at a colorful market.

I love markets. All colors and shapes of vegetables, fruits, dried fish, skewered eels, and cigar smoking women were there. I stopped to get a smear of thannaka, the light colored paste that so many women wear on their face to keep cool. The vendors were so patient and gracious, and loved seeing their photos. This helped them get over their puzzlement at the westerners staring at the strange produce.

Then we stopped at Pandaya, an absolutely incredible natural cave that is filled with thousands of Buddha images. I thought the entrance was overwhelming with Buddhas, but there was a lot more. They were painted gold, and ranged in size from a few inches tall to eight or ten feet tall. And they all had that characteristic Buddha smile.

Kids riding bareback on their water buffalos eally made the day.

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Photos

Thannaka Smear
The thannaka lady gave me a free smear on my face

P1010621
Harvesting wheat--always the women

Scary Spider Eats Monk
Entrance at Pandaya Cave

They EAch Mean Something
Each Buddha demonstrates a different mudra, or hand position

Mudra Challenge
I don't quite have the mudra right

Comments

[Emily P]

Love the photos... wish I was there!
Thanks for doing the blog!

[Vicky Ramakka]

Terry, These are absolutely beautiful, intriguing photos. Thanks for sharing your fine adventure.

[hasnida]

thanks terry
Terry that's amazing experience..i wish i could be there soon..:)