A Visit To Dala
Locals use Thanaka, which is a light yellow cosmetic paste that is usually applied to the face and body of most Burmese people. It is used by both men and women of all ages, including children.
Yangon, Myanmar Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Fortified with a heavy breakfast, our guide passes me a cup of tea. The tea was hot and flavorful.
Next, we took the ferry from Nanthida jetty to cross the Yangon River to Dhala. The jetty was buzzing with people and activities. There is a mini street market where people are selling snacks and other items to the ferry passengers. Our ferry ride then took us past a hill punctuated with golden spires. They were all shining and brilliant.
Most of the tourist who come here wants to see Myanmar's big attractions- Bagan, Swedagon, and they should see these things. They are important to the Burmese culture and history. But we want them to see more than tourism sites, we want them to feel the village life too, according to our guide.
The Irrawaddy River, Myanmar's longest river and most significant commercial waterway, runs through the heart of the country and is around 2,170 kilometres (1,350 miles) long.
As passenger boarded the ferry with their burlap pf sacks of rice, there were goats, livestock and chickens. There were fisherman with their catch. Cages crammed with chickens. Crates of vegetables and assorted tropical fruit It was like I was in the Land Before Time. Our ferry boat passed along wooden houses, temples and retreats tucked along the Irrawady river. It took us only 15 minutes to cross the waterways.
The village looked different from nearby Yangon as it has many trees, quiet neighborhood and quiet side streets filling the area, jaunty shop, weathered houses, tangles of trees, planter pots and slatted wooden shutters.
Half an hour later we arrived in Dala. To get a perspective of the local life, it was now time to take the trishaw and went around the village.
As we approached, kids jumped to the side of the road, surprised by a group of trishaws. Faint tinkle of bell emanates from our rickshaw. These houses seemed frozen in time.
The first one we see, pops out looking like a photo in a magazine. Another one looks like he is in his 70's. Stooped posture, slightly bald headed. His twinkling brown eyes tells a different story. “ I know the place is changing, I just hope people stays the same,” Surge of wealth seems to be flowing in Yangon these days , but life remains a challenge in the villages as evidenced by an old woman stopped under loads of heavy hay. She gave us a shy smile. Grunting pigs blended with the laughter of children. Families biking together presenting an idyllic city escape.
Our guide then took us to a monastery where we saw a few boys with noticeable faces of learning and character, (hurrying to pray.) We were told to keep silent as we observed the monastic life of Buddhist in Myanmar.
The influence of Buddhism in Myanmar life is formidable with 89 percent of the population identifying as Buddhist.
We entered a small room where some 20 men were praying. They sit crossed legged with their books open in front of them.
The Buddhist lamas wore their distinctively cranberry robes. They are all bald and chanting that sounded exotic yet the singing in unison, but as if each was in his private sphere. From there, we bought pad of gold leafs which we pressed into the Buddha for luck.
After lunch we took the Circular train which runs from the main railway station in a circle around various neighborhoods in town and the outskirts of town. The slowly travelling train gave us a perspective of the lively and colorful life of the rual Burmese people.
At Bogyote market, we passed restaurants that caught us with aroma. There were rows of stores selling foodstuff, tea, handicraft, medicines. We browsed stored selling bangles and beaded necklaces. A few minutes later I was lost in the midst of shop houses. It was another magical moment in Myanmar.
As I looked back, the Zedi is glinting off brighter between the sky and now dark hill backdrop in the city. I glanced at our guide, his expression is of hopes and dreams. I can see now why people here found their inner peace. Poverty is evident elsewhere We didn't come across a single disgruntled person. They may be poor and isolated but I believe people in the west would gladly give up their possessions for a few days of peace and happiness experienced by these people. The Burmese also feel certain pride in the land and the beauty that they have.
Shopping finished, now it's time for a foot massage. We ducked into a one-story building offering foot massages. We sat for thirty minutes while being pummeled and poked by with a long black hair and sparkling eyes. Her hands though wrinkled were as soft as rose petals. She squats in front of me and while slowly touching and poking my feet. I'm thinking about having this as an endless thing when our guide taps my shoulder. Time to go!
WE HAVE WAITED SEVERAL DECADES BEFORE WE COULD VISIT Myanmar, only to arrive at the right moment that we were best equipped to appreciate it. Any where before, we would not have taken pleasure in those wooden houses, wonderful solitude, golden spires and rich hospitality of the Burmese people. Nor would we have understood Myanmar as a sort of welcoming
That's why we need to come back!
