Foot and Fire

If I have to describe this Buddha image, I have to say first that it is charming and then effeminate. Staring at the face of this Buddha, I can see a handsome Buddha but then as I go through the details on the lips, the painted nails on his fingers and feet, I can see that the image is effeminate. As in any other pagodas in Myanmar we were able to visit, the hall is populated with pilgrims. *** The Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Yangon is known for its enormous 65 meters long Reclining Buddha image. The highly revered image is housed in a large shed North of Kandawgyi Lake. The original image was completed in 1907. When after many decades the Chauk Htat Gyi image was in a bad state of repair, a devout Buddhist decided to restore it. During renovations in 1966 about 5 meters were added to the image. The renovation was paid for entirely with donations from Buddhists and foreign tourists. The names of the contributors are inscribed on the beams of the building.(http://www.reno...

Happy to sit for a little while in this temple.  I was able to enjoy watching the praying pilgrims. The next day, we went to see the Chauk Htat Gyi or the Reclining Buddha. It is in this pagoda that I was able to just sit down, relax and just revel in the content faces of the pilgrims. A travel website describes this pagoda as home to a very impressive 65 meters long and 16 meters high Chauk Htat Gyi Buddha image wearing a golden robe with the right arm of the Buddha supporting the back of the head. This Reclining Buddha image is decorated with very expressive colors, white face, red lips, blue eye shadow, golden robe and red finger nails. I must say, this is a charming and a little effeminate image of the Buddha. Also, the soles of the feet of this image contain 108 segments in red and gold colors that show images representing the 108 lakshanas or auspicious characteristics of the Buddha. This is the local guy. *** The Reclining Pagoda. In this pagoda,...

It took me a year to prepare for my summer vacation with seven other friends at this remote culture-rich ancient country. I have nothing but search engines, and backpacker's hotel are hard to find because Yangon is surrounded by five-star hotels which maintain topnotch websites. Hmmm, is this a remote country? I suspect that it is not. As months went by, when the Mayanmarese leader forged an agreement with our president to make the travel among Filipinos in Myanmar visa-free, I was elated; I saved some dollar notes and some expense in going to the capital, Manila (This eliminated the Yangon airport exit fee of crisp ten dollars too!). One of some interesting buildings in Yangon. Upon arriving at the airport, we passed by the immigartion officer's counter and I observed that the Myanmarese greeters outside are visible. They reminded me of our close-family ties too. These greeters must have abound perhaps because of the upcoming Thinyan festival, their New y...

ULTIMATE MYANMARESE STREET FOOD: Pig mask and other internal organs in sticks. One has to cook it by dipping it in a boiling liquid in the center. The containers on the side are the condiments and the red ones must be chili... *** Watermelon for 900 kyatts. *** The whitish green watermelon. *** Sayote or squash leaves. *** Melon. *** I'm holding a honeydew. *** Golden-orange Papaya. *** Some deep-fried stuff: crabs, shrimps and some floured food. *** Just like the Thai papaya pickle. The woman is using the mortar and pestle to mash the spices and then she adds this to the raw green papaya. *** Must be jelly sweets. *** Cold desserts to quench the sun-dried palates. *** Ice cream from Nylon Ice cream parlor.  Quite a following among the locals for this dirty a.k.a. home-made ice cream. *** Rainbow ice cream. Choices vary from tropical fruit like Durian to the classic ones  like chocolate and vanilla.  ***

This must be the small glutinous rice balls formed  by women on the street of Yangon  in celebration of the Thingyan Festival. *** This a lady's market basket filled with Padauk flower. *** The Myanmarese enjoying their splashing of water along the road. *** Padauk flowers in the bloom Thingyan Festival is coming soon; Fragrant water will be splashed Affectionate ties are to be blessed; Traditional short drums appear With amusing style of Shwe Yoe dancer; His melodious dance is so prominent Making onlookers feel acquainted; Eugenia leaves spread its shoots Fresh and green are for strong mood; Wishing free from all dangers Splashing water each other; Tagu month is unrivaled Fantastic moment with festival; Auspiciousness is extended All can enjoy the calmness; Thingyan clear all angers Smile appears together; In pouring Thingyan water Old years' defilement are cleared; Jo...

This the Garuda, my animal sign. *** While visiting the Reclining buddha in Yangon, I was approached by an old man and he accompanied me in circling the area. He brought me in a sort of an altar with buddhas on top and corresponding animals below each. The pilgrims were bathing the Buddha and there were eight of them and eight animals forming a circle. While preparing for this blog, I found this helpful website in determining what animal I am in the Myanmarese's planetary post. Here is the link.  I found out here that I was born on a Sunday and that my zodiac animal sign: Garuda (mythical bird, Hindu/Buddhist bird diety) and my Ruling Planet: Sun; Ruling Direction: Northeast. And being a Garuda, my personality /Attributes are: You are kind and generous. You would give the shirt off your back to someone in need. Some think you are overly gracious. You love a challenge. The tougher the obstacle the more motivated you are to crash through the barrier to reach your goal. Y...