Finally underway, we were escorted by a group of people from the USDA an organization that determines where the most need is and identifies the villages that get the water projects. (We bought a camera so that someone other than me is taking pictures at these events, so that's why you're able to see us in so many of the pictures.) The boat ride was pleasantly cool, but we were sitting on a narrow board that wasn't so comfortable.
I really didn't want to post this picture, but it's a pretty realistice one. I should have worn trousers!
We were greeted by a group playing various instruments. As you can see, the walkways were quite uneven--dried mud.
As we approached the village, school children lined the way, with leaves in their hands. I didn't know what to do with them, but they presented them and we learned that they were offerings to the Buddha--representing good luck.
This is out of order. ( I thought I was doing pretty good) At the end of the closing ceremony we were presented gifts of watermelons and steamed sticky rice wrapped in bamboo. We've given away the rice balls--They tasted like solid glue to me-- but the watermelons are good.
We took 90 school kits with us--containing notebooks, pencils, rulers, etc--as there is just a small village school there. So even the pre-school children got one. 
The bags have the LDS Charity logo on them and the kids seemed happy to get them.
After the presentation, we inspected the water site and the water was turned on. Though the village is close to a river, having clean water in their village is a real benefit. That makes these ceremonies worth attending.
After the ceremony we walked to the small school where the villagers had prepared rice and curries. In Myanmar, most foods are called curries--which are mixtures of a gravy or soup with meat in it --if available-- and served over rice. A small table was brought for us and we were given spoons to eat with, but the customary way of eating for the people is with their hands. AS the tables were prepared for the others they were only about a foot off the ground and the people sat cross-legged on the floor. We watched as one woman took several bowls of rice and mixed some of the curries in them and than handed them back to the others. I'm glad we weren't expected to join them.
While we ate, the same "band" played music and some of the children danced while most sat and watched.
As we left a group followed us to the boat to wave goodbye. My getting on the boat wasns't recorded, but one man fell in as he was getting in. We crossed the river and got out to find our way to the van. That wasn't easy!
We really had to watch where we stepped on the uneven pathway.
And then we had to make our way along a narrow two-board pathway. With my uneven walking that was a real challenge.
But I had helped. Middle -school children were making their way home and you can see where she had to step to let us pass.
There's standing water nearby but these boys are having fun after school.
We passed this home with oxen out in front.
And passed this loaded oxcart with firewood.
Finally we were back in the van driving past rice paddies. The rice straw is stacked to feed the animals after the rice has been threshed. We arrived home as dusty and dirty as we've been on these trips--but overall it was a good one.
