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Next, we began a three-day trek through villages, down train tracks, and into big rice fields. On the first day, we witnessed preparations for a Buddhist festival when we stopped for a quick break. We ended up staying an hour as we watched women with baskets of food offer- ings and a group of people dressed in traditional clothing march toward a nearby temple. Miles later, we arrived at the monastery exhausted and hungary where we stayed the night. As we ate dinner, we watched the child monks prepare our beds for us on the floor. In the morning, we began our day to the sound of all of the monks praying and singing. Throughout our second day of trekking, the sun was shining (a lot) while we passed by fields and small shrines. The third day of the trek was a significant- ly shorter distance. After a quick break for food, we took a long boat ride to Inle Lake. We passed several houses on the way to dock. Like Soe Than’s village, these houses were all built on stilts over the water.
One of our guides had generously arranged for us to receive massages when we arrived at Inle Lake. I think I speak for everyone when I say how nice it was to sleep on a bed again and take a regular shower. After a full night of rest, we were all ready to explore Inle Lake. One of our stops was a place where fabrics are handwoven. We were briefly introduced to the labor intensive process of making the fibers used for weaving before stepping into the room where the weaving was done. All the women in the room were focused and silent as they wove beautiful textiles from lotus stem fibers.
After a day in Inle Lake, we took a short flight back to Yangon. There, we concluded our trip with a closing ceremony. It was so sad having to leave three of our guides. I remember seeing the faces of some of our group members practically pressed up against the glass that separated the guides and the general public from those who were traveling.
The trip was interesting, fun, and humbling. We all learned so much from the Burmese people about what it means to be hospitable and kind. It was nice to return back to California and Priory, but we were all so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to such an incredible place. Our experience in Burma was unforgettable. A lot of the people who went on the trip had never talked with or were not close with each other. However, this amaz- ing shared experience helped us form new and stronger connections with one another.
5. On our way to Inle Lake.
6. More trekking in the red dirt.
7. Our trip ended at the Yangon airport.
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All the women in the room were focused and silent as they wove beautiful textiles from lotus stem fibers.
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CULTURAL TRIP