MANDALAY

It has been three interesting and busy days since arriving here Monday morning on that early flight. Surprisingly I made it through the whole day from the 3:45 wake up call. I will admit, mid afternoon, I was feeling a meltdown, but  managed to soldier on. 

A brief visit to my friend Leila's workshop and then off to Sagaing Hill. Thousands of Buddhist pagodas and monasteries, plus a nunnery to see and visit a few. Sagaing, except for a brief period, early 14th century when it served as capital of a powerful dynasty, has since devoted itself to spiritual matters.

We have an English speaking guide, U Kyaw Kyaw, and driver. After parking, we climb up to this nunnery where where the young girls can be seen in their traditional dress of pink robes and shaved heads. Lunch was just finishing and we peeked in at the room. When finished, the girls file out carrying their dishes, slip into their sandals and head off to lessons and meditations.