My Visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda
It's been a month since our visit to Yangon and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss Myanmar. To this very day, I cannot believe I actually set foot in the country and visited the absolutely spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda. It is a memory I shall always treasure for as long as I live.
Marc, my partner, and I agreed that on our very first full day in the Burmese capital, we just had to make the visit to Shwedagon our priority. We initially thought of just walking to the sight. However, given the oppressive heat, we decided to take a cab. The fare was 3,000 Kyat (pronounced Chat) or $3.00. It was a wise decision.
We had not prepared for the visit. We wore our khaki shorts and running shoes. Little did we know, we had to wear long pants.
This was our very first view of the famous pagoda. Not much to look at from the front. But, boy, were we dazzled as we entered the premises.
I found it rather ironic that the walkway leading to the religious pagoda was full of souvenir shops catering to tourists. Anyway, we paid a total of 26,000 Kyat. 10,000 Kyat for both of the longyis we had to purchase since we weren't going to be allowed in with our shorts on. Plus, 16,000 Kyat or 8,000 Kyat per person for admission. In hindsight, I realized what we paid was not a whole lot of money. In San Francisco, admission to one of its major museums costs $20 per person.
Our first view of the gilded pagoda
There were lots of locals at Shwedagon. Many prayed in many of the smaller temples surrounding the pagoda while others were just hanging out with their families and friends within the premises.
I remember Marc saying "Wow!" at every turn.
This is me in my Longyi! We had to walk barefoot all over the temple area.