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Published: October 18th 2017
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Shwedagon in the rain
Around the main gold-leafed stupa are many temples in a range of styles and colours Entering the Pagoda can be through any of the gates, North, South, East or West. By each there is a lift but we began at the East removing our flip flops (and putting into plastic bags as they were soaked), kind of guards watch to ensure no footwear, not even socks. Signs are in English with clear pictures, like road signs, banning inappropriate dress.
After paying the entrance fee for foreigners, K8000 Chris took a selfie of the 2 of us and we began our walk around the stupa clockwise as is the tradition. It was not as crowded as he had expected being a national holiday and at no point did it feel a crush. Due to the rain the marble surface was extremely slippery and mats had been laid but I found they hurt my softened feet.
As well as the main stupa, there are many buildings the inner level is where only high ranking monks are allowed. But round this many were making offerings at the corner of the day they were born. My Sunday creature is a garuda and others were elephant, lion, frog (and more) all with shrines to pour water over Buddha and the symbol.
Green mats to walk on
when hot the marble surface is painful and when wet, very slippery Sunday had a lot of flowers but when I went back in the evening they were gone.
At one an older monk was feeding crows. Chris said it was unusual. All around the level were shrines and temples, some for Buddha statues donated others to house artefacts and all with a variety of styles and colours. I was surprised to see the technology used in creating halos behind the heads of Buddhas. They flashed lights in sequences of different colours. I guess it is never possible to see everything in there, far less to remember it all, thank goodness for cameras.
I went back in the evening walking up from the base of the Eastern staircase. Many children thrust plastic bags at me for my sandals and one girl only accepted hers back when I produced one from my bag. It was a very dirty walk barefoot and you had to cross a main road at the point where we'd joined it in the morning. I took the lift up as I had my ticket and sticker to show.
It was just before 7 and I think there were more people, maybe because it was not raining. I noticed more
foreigners and a couple spoke about their trip. It was nice to share impressions. I probably took as many photos as the morning ( played with selfies) and think there is more video. To me the ringing of bells was more noticeable and I think I will have the sound of a cicada on a clip of a Buddha. It took only an hour to walk round and back to the lift. At the bottom I wanted a taxi but the drivers wanted dollars or more than the K1500 I was prepared to pay. However as I walked away I was called back and one without air con brought me home. I hope he got another fare as a group were rejecting one outside the hotel as too expensive.
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Sally Hart
non-member comment
Extraordinary
Amazing Tina. Loved reading about it.