Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x
Three visits to Kyaukme, three times on the damn stupid cargo bus. I don't understand how this keeps happening! The first year I transferred directly from another bus, without a ticket, was the last one on, and that seemed to make sense. Both subsequent times I bought my ticket a day in advance. Why, I ask you? Yet each time when returning to Mandalay, I could book a ticket on the totally normal passengers-only bus.

2008--it was transporting tomatoes in crates along the extra-deep floor, so the bus could only crawl at snail's pace.
2011--it was transporting hard plums, so the bus could move normally, but we still had to walk across crates to get to the seats.
2012--this bus had fewer rows of seats so most of the rice sacks were in the back, so we could dangle our feet in the still-extra-deep floor.

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x
Pyin Oo Lwin is the only "hill station"—a scenic, temperate town built in colonial times—that I've visited in Myanmar, but it definitely made me want to visit more. This lovely town also contains two of the largest military academies in the country, the biggest nationwide school for taking the 10 Standard year (with 100% success rate), and the best internet access in the country. I'm not quite techie enough to remember the reason for the last one...something like... the whole country's server is housed there :).

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x
Traditional pony cart and the more typical transporter. Pony/horse carts are common throughout the country, but most I've seen are basically wagons...Pyin Oo Lwin is famous for a particular type of beautifully-painted enclosed carriage.

Posted on May 24, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x

Posted on May 24, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x
Baby monks the day after the ceremony. Six boys around this size, and a tiny 7th who refused to wear a robe and couldn't leave his mother's arms but didn't want to be left out. (not all related, but I can't remember how many were brothers).

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Tri-x
Monk novitiation ceremony. Before the heads are shaved, the robes distributed, and precepts are taken, the novitiates dress up like traditional princes and host a huge feast. They were truly thoughtful and gracious for such young ages.

Gracious hosting doesn't preclude a little winged-hat battling, naturally.

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Olympus OM-2N | Kodak Plus-x
Crafting silver pots. The pot lids are filled with what looks like tar, then stuck together. The solid insides makes it easier to gently hammer out a design on the delicate lid.

Posted on May 22, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0)