These pictures are from a several day trip in March. We usually reach a spot where the car or van we are traveling in cannot get to the village and we transfer to another form of transportation. This time it was a jeep.
We didn't travel far in the oxcarts, but got in because they had decorated them and met us. I thought it would be interesting. It was but also dusty, rough, and I ended up with a hand-sized bruise on my back where I was jolted continually on the half-mile trip.
And this was the spot where we the jeep had become high-centered and unable to move, so I was going to get on the motor bike. That was a day I wished I had on slacks. There were deep ruts and we tipped over once, but finally got to the village.
When we finally got to the village we were given tinsel garlands and greeted warmly.
Don't know if you can really see, but it was hot and we were rose-cheeked.
This was on another day, but usually each time we get to a village there is usually a musical greeting. This girl--25 years old and referred to by a young man as a spinster--danced as we entered the village.
And in another village, we were greeted by this dancer. We were told that each village has a clown or comedian who dances at festivals. He had quite the dance.
We were fed a meal and then moved to another table for fruit. This looks like a make-up table. The bark on the short log right in front of the material mixed with water makes up what the women and children have on their faces. To the right the flat slab is where the log is rolled with some water. In one village we were given nearly a dozen logs. I have one to show but we gave the rest away.
We didn't travel far in the oxcarts, but got in because they had decorated them and met us. I thought it would be interesting. It was but also dusty, rough, and I ended up with a hand-sized bruise on my back where I was jolted continually on the half-mile trip.
And this was the spot where we the jeep had become high-centered and unable to move, so I was going to get on the motor bike. That was a day I wished I had on slacks. There were deep ruts and we tipped over once, but finally got to the village.
When we finally got to the village we were given tinsel garlands and greeted warmly.
Don't know if you can really see, but it was hot and we were rose-cheeked.
This was on another day, but usually each time we get to a village there is usually a musical greeting. This girl--25 years old and referred to by a young man as a spinster--danced as we entered the village.
And in another village, we were greeted by this dancer. We were told that each village has a clown or comedian who dances at festivals. He had quite the dance.
We were fed a meal and then moved to another table for fruit. This looks like a make-up table. The bark on the short log right in front of the material mixed with water makes up what the women and children have on their faces. To the right the flat slab is where the log is rolled with some water. In one village we were given nearly a dozen logs. I have one to show but we gave the rest away.In most villages we are given some kind of thank you--usually prepared and used over at each village. But it's the routine.
And this is the reason for most of the trips: bringing water to the remote villages who before have had to depend on ponds or wells that are several miles away. Though they have to pack it away, they do it with smiles on their faces.
And we leave each village glad for the experience--and wishing we didn't have to have the return trip.
We stopped one day for some sight-seeing where a very huge standing Buddha is being built, as well as a huge reclining one. Here there are over 9000 Buddha images, each under a small banyan tree--where he received his "enlightenment". Many Buddhists pay to have one of these small figures set out as a symbol of their good deeds.
We climbed over a hundred steps to get to the viewing tower. We were hot and tired and could easily have missed this part of the trip, but Dr. Win arranges for us to see things that are close to where we are.
And this is the reason for most of the trips: bringing water to the remote villages who before have had to depend on ponds or wells that are several miles away. Though they have to pack it away, they do it with smiles on their faces.
And we leave each village glad for the experience--and wishing we didn't have to have the return trip.
We stopped one day for some sight-seeing where a very huge standing Buddha is being built, as well as a huge reclining one. Here there are over 9000 Buddha images, each under a small banyan tree--where he received his "enlightenment". Many Buddhists pay to have one of these small figures set out as a symbol of their good deeds.
We climbed over a hundred steps to get to the viewing tower. We were hot and tired and could easily have missed this part of the trip, but Dr. Win arranges for us to see things that are close to where we are.
1 comment:
I love seeing the pictures of you and Dad. Any chance we can go with you on one of these trips when we visit? I don't think I'd enjoy the actual trip (oh how you must ache!), but I would love to see the villages you serve:)
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