This post somehow was saved as a draft so it is out of order, should have gone out before the Inle Lake Post
Seeing a Thanakar musuem on Google maps I decided to learn abit more about this “make up” applied to so many Burmese faces. I had seen many shops selling pieces/brances of some kind of wood, but didn’t make the connection. This is Thanakar, a tree that grows in central & northern Myanmar. It has along history and of course was given to the people by some god. (see the long text pic). The piece of branch is ground on these mortors. An interesting look at a folk remedy, I’ve got to think it works as so many people are using it.
Having gone through the one room Thanarka displays I hop back on the E-bike to the huge grandiose archeology museum. This latest version (the 3rd) of Bagan/Myanmar museum was finished in 1995 under the auspices of the Junta general in charge of culture. He didn’t skimp on the building. Exhibits are big on architechual models, some nice bronze pieces, the typical multitude of Buddas, textiles, and stellas with explanation of the evolution of Burmese script. Only one boat which I thought kind of left out the whole importance the river must and does have on the civilazation. The relief statuary of the two ladies was interesting. look close at the hip of one and see what is captioned as Budda being born, from her right hip ! Even though Budda never wanted to be thought of as a god or God, it seems there is still some miraculous thing about his birth. Besides that imediatly after birth could he speak and walk accross lotus peddals in a pond. Well people will exagerate.
While cruising to the Archeology musuem I saw a sign for the Laquare ware museum. Lots of which is on sale at the souvinure stalls. So of course it’s next stop. No pictures allowed inside but the displayed pieces were way beyound most of the trinket shop versions. Laquare comes, of course, from tapping a certain tree sap. I learnned of the four different tecniques to inscribe, etch, paint, gold plate, and three colors, red yellow green. Most laquare ware is done on bamboo that is split and “coiled” into the bowls, offering vessels, cups etc. Also on wood boxes. I’ll try attaching a short video of an artist using a hand lathe to shape the bamboo base vessel. This was really just the museum part of a laquare ware training school established in 1924. At the school gate on a large trailer with this huge piece
Moving on with my E-bike I continue cruiesing the bike trails winding betwee
Contiueing to cruise the trails winding between temples a few more
temple shots, and brick ruins.
I was offered the chance to climb up to the top of a temple for the elavated view. From my travelfish guide I knew that in the past you could do this at most of the non “operational” in use temples, but in the interest of presevation, maybe tourist safety, not allowed now. Except if you pay a local to show the way to a site apparently overlooked by the police (in my case I had to purchase a $10 small laquare ware box). I was glad I’d left my bike helmet on some very low clearances Anyhow not really that much of an improved view but interesting to see the bricks from the inside.
Included in the shots the best “sand painter” guy I came accross, lots of these artist selling thier wares. He is holding up a Myanmar astrological signs calendar. As most asian cultures astrology is a big thing. Burmese use your births the day of the week to chart your future. Unlike the chinese/vietnamese year sign. My chinese year is of the dragon. I googled my birthdays week day and it was Sat. Burmes sign for Sat is, how about that the dragon. so I guess I’m a double dragon.
Finally my VIP overnight bus for Inle Lake. A lot more comfortable than the train trip. With just three seats, 2 & 1, accross and a movie screen to catch up on the latest action movies.
Next up the aquatic towns of Inle Lake
Shawn's travel updates 