Today was non-stop adventure. First thing this morning we drove to Mt Popa. I along the way we stop at a small sugar palm farm where they made gorgeous sweets and palm wine. Wine might be a slight misrepresentation, the stuff is 40 proof. The farmers brought us pickled tea leaves and peanuts. I think the the pickled tea leave might be a acquired taste.
The ride to Mt Popa was an adventure in itself. It was narrow and winding along sharp dropping ridges. Just before reaching our destination we stop to view the 770 step climbed to the top. This part of the trip was probably the hardest to wrap an american brain around. There are very aggressive and dirty monkeys everywhere. Most of the climb you are required to walk barefoot, which is unpleasant to the amount of monkey feces. I actually had a monkey steal my water bottle right of my hand then bite a hole in it and drink. Not cute monkeys. Still I felt a huge sense of accomplishment by climbing the 770 step staircase to the shrine home of the Nats. In my opinion the shrine is not all impressive, but the view and the breeze are very pleasant.
In the afternoon a few of us managed to rent scooters. Very fun. Though mine end up with a flat tire. No biggie they brought me a new bike almost immediately. It was nice to be free to roam the monuments and the river on our own.
My take away from this day is how superstitious Myanmar people are. The have a Nat or spirit that intercedes for every aspect of life.There are shrines and temples everywhere here. It is very much apart of there lives. I wonder what effect a more open society to the west will have on thi part of their lives. Seems very entrenched, but western can be very powerful.