I left Trader fully revived and headed for Sule Paya, the number two must see sight in town. It wasn't long before I was adopted by a guide who bought gold leaf for me to put on the family Buddha for my family, gave me the book to find my birth day - its Thursday, my animal is a rat and my Thursday name is Maman. I poured the requisite number of cups of water on the Thursday Buddha and got a tour of the nats and other special images. He wanted reimbursement for the gold (a give) and a tip, which no doubt disappointed him as I had little small bills. But then I hung out with a monk and couple of shop girls showing them photos of my family, wish I had a better organized album of everyone....next time.
I'd read somewhere about sunset view from Sakura tower so headed for it as the sun was quite low. Sure enough elevator to the 20th floor took me up top to see half the city, Shwedagon and the river. A private party had the other half of the top floor.
Thinking I could read the map I trotted off for another evening on Schwedagon. My thinking was by being hot and tired a cold shower would feel good and I'd crash and ignore the gross sad space. I wound up walking around behind it! Finally entered and found my Thursday Buddha, waited patiently for an opening and finally just reached over heads to beginning pouring 71 cups if water. I discovered the free wifi for foreigners spot, but the code on my entry ticket didn't get my on line......
This time a 21 year old monk wanted to chat. He'd entered as a novice at 5, was from Kachin and a broken family and was very happy with his life. A retired Army man who now volunteers as a security guard joined the conversation. There is such a freedom up on the pagoda to engage with others.
I caught a cab for 3000 kjat and got back to Yoma to find no one had lifted a finger in my room even with the sign on the door:-(
-On the road with Kathryn
Location:Yangon
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