Temples of Bagan at sunrise, Burma.

Temples of Bagan at sunrise, Burma.
Originally uploaded by ingrr.

The trouble with Bagan, y'see, is that I can't really convey to people how profoundly 'exotic' it is to me. Somewhere in the misty past, I must have read some book, a fable about a princess and an elephant or something, that took place in Bagan-- in this quiet, half-forgotten land of the wide Irrawady river, sturdy teak trees, and mysterious half-decayed temples strewn over this vast plain...in my mind, 'exoticness' is separate from 'foreignness' (and the anxiety and suspicion that comes along with that). Here, exotic is beautiful and strange, compelling and delightful, and if it leaves you a little off balance, then that's all the better.

Damn, I love this place.

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Burma

U Bein Bridge, Amarapura, Burma
Originally uploaded by ingrr.

My guide and I arrived in the late afternoon. First we walked along the bridge, meeting two women carrying a baby in a giant basket. They laughed and joked at how funny it looked-- asked me to take a picture. Further along, some artists had set up shop in a shelter along the bridge. I bought a fantastic little watercolor for $8. We descended from the bridge to the muddy lake edge below. The bridge-- the longest teak span in the world, for those of you keeping track-- is used not only as a commute route from the town of Amarapura, but also as a nice spot to stroll. Small groups of friends walk along chatting. Monks take their afternoon constitutionals.

I felt a bit like a hunter there on the lakeshore. I had set the camera up on a tripod, then just waited for the right set of people to stroll into my view. It was quiet enough that the folks on the bridge could hear the click-whirr of the camera-- they'd look over and smile. Silly tourist.

Hot air balloons over the ruins of Bagan, Burma

Hot air balloons over the ruins of Bagan, Burma
Originally uploaded by ingrr.

My guide and driver were bundled up in scarves and jackets against the pre-dawn 'chill' (it was about 70F). We lit flashlights and climbed barefoot up the narrow brick stairs of the temple to see the view of the surrounding area. Hot air balloons soon took off in the distance, floating over the silent ruins.