Broken Butts and Throbbing feet lead us to beautiful Inle Lake

On the bus by 4:30. Mini bus means mini everything. I'm not very tall and my knees didn't fit nor did my butt. Because we started in the dark there were no last minute glances at the beautiful stupas in Bagan. There were, however, many opportunities to watch monks getting ready for their day. In one area there were at least 60 monks patiently waiting in a long line with their bowls waiting to be filled with rice by the local faithful. Such a different way of life.
Along the journey the bus kept picking up people till there was no more room. Thats when they started piling on top. When a group of 6 women, one very old and frail, came on Shane decided to join the men up top. Stayed there till the end of seven hour (read 12 hour) bus ride... he couldn't sit down properly for two days.
The trip took us through desert areas, rice paddies, peanut and cotton fields. Up in the mountains past lakes and many rivers to Kalaw where we are to spend the night.
But I can't end withoug relaying a few funny incidents. Like the gasoline refil where a ladder was brought out and placed just outside the side door.... a can with cheese cloth on top and a long hose running out of it was placed on top. Then gas was laddled in to another can which was poured in to the first one as gas passed through the hose to the tank under one of the seats. Ok now that's high tech. Ladies sleeping on the bus with their head on my shoulder ....men told to get off the roof because it was illegal until we got past a check point when they all piled back up. Only Shane and a French man were left on the top because the officials wouldn't hastle a foreigner. Besides that there was no room in the bus. I had about six ladies trying to get on my lap which was already severely compromised. Don't you just love local busses?
When we reached Kalaw we were met with a hill station that had a distinctly British feel. Found Sam, at Sam's restaurant, and booked our trek for tomorrow.
The next day we began our trek to Inle Lake.
Village life in Myanmar........... ahhhh.
At the end of our day trek we are in a small village where life goes on as it has for centuries. There are six of us travelling. It is a good group with a lot of common interests. One guide and 5 tourists.
Six hours thrugh beautiful countryside. At about 9AM we began our walk through the city to the south. The town was awake now though we culd still hear the monk's gong calling the faithful to fill their rice bowls.
This village is built on the hillside. It looks quite western till you look closely and see water buffalo walking the streets.
A peaceful walk as children run out to greet us with little gifts of flowers. Up a winding path under the trees with a cool breeze refreshingus. "Ming ga la bah, ming ga la bah...." hello, hello... the words greet us with genuine warmth. The narrow path takes us through rice paddies, and fields of peanuts, cauliflower, garlic (lots and lots of garlic) and even orange and plum trees. There are cherry trees in bloom but the fruit is not edible. Water buffalo take a rest in the many streams while farmers tend their crops. It is winter hre so many of the fields are not being cultivated.
Winter means cold nights with days climbing well over 30C.
Passing through mountain villages gives us a unique opportunity to see different styles of housing, costume and even cooking styles. At about 3:30 we walked in to the village where we were to spend the night.
Our first experience with friendly villagers was at lunch. This stop is no different. Smiling faces greet us as children stare shyly from the corner. Soon Mark has them laughing and we all take their pictures. With few foreigners it is still a novelty to see their photo.
Mark played soccar witht he monks while we wandered the village meeting the few locals. Only 30 families here but a big monastary. All boys must enter the monestary for at least a year as a young novice andin their 20's. It is also a form of free schooling for the poor.
Rice with vegetable dishes and chili dishes plus lots of condiments made dinner just as wonderful as lunch. Different tastes here in Myanmar.
The next day we woke to frost on the pumpkin, so to speak. Boy it was cold outside.
Took a few more people pictures then we were off for the day. Past fields of asters growing for sale as offerings to Buddha. Up narrow mountain paths through fields and forests.
Passed two men cutting logs with a pit saw. Appropriatly named as they were working it in a pit. Farther along Shane took a turn thrashing wheat with some ladies while I was busy scaring little kids with my white skin. It wasn't intentional and soon they warmed up to me.
This day was the most spectacular. There were a lot of upa and down paths and lots of dark red dust to make us look like a bunch of derilicts. Stopped at a train station for tea after a short walk on the rails... only had to jump off once to let the train pass.
In the late afternoon, as we neared our destination for the night, our little group was joined by the villagers and their cattle and ox carts as they made their way home. One half hour earlier or later and we would have missed this opportunity. As the group reached the top of the hill we turned off to the monestary where we were to spend the night. A beautiful teak building with only two resident monks and seven novices using it. We slept well in a room off from the main room where there was, thankfully, no smoke.
Early the next morning we were woken by the sound of monks chanting. It was magical.
The day began early as we had a long way to go to the lake. It was not spectacular scenery but still so wonderful to pass through mountain villages and say hi to the people.
We reached Inle Lake intact, weary and excited. This is where we board a longboat for a long journey to Nyuang Shwe.
The boat takes us past communities built over the water where everyday life is quite different from what we've see before. A kind of floating community which I will talk about late after we do a few canoe trips. For now I will just mention that it was wonderful to rest our feet.... eat our lunch.... and view life along the shore as we made our way to a nice comfy bed.
Resting our sore feet and remembering, through all the pictures, the country we had just experienced.