-->
MYANMAR — A
rickety truck climbing up a steep narrow winding road with a box packed full of
people was not my idea of a safe time.
But it
was the only way to see the famed Golden Rock in southeast Myanmar, so I threw
my "safety first" thoughts aside and jumped on board.
The
truck moaned and groaned as it snaked its way up the side of the so-called
mountain. Draped with bamboo and palm trees, it looked liked a scene out of the
jungle. All that was missing were monkeys swinging from the trees, but some of
them were already in the box of the truck.
After a
45-minute ride along the bumpy road, we reached the "base camp" where
we were given the option to hike the rest of the way.
Only
five of us, including our guide, jumped out to make the 30-minute jaunt up the
steep road, then through a village. Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead,
soaking my bangs in the intense tropical heat. After sitting on a bus for three
from Yangon, I was suddenly pulsing with energy — something I hadn't felt since
sliding into my hazy jet-lagged state upon my arrival to the country.
Teetering
on the ledge of another rock was the famed Golden Rock — a well-known Buddhist
pilgrimage site. According to legend, the bolder defies gravity by balancing on
a hair of Buddha. The locals believe the rock was placed there 2,500 years ago
with the help of nat spirits.
A small
7.3 metre pagoda sits on top of the granite boulder, located 1,100 metres above
sea level on top of the Kyahikthiyo Hill in the eastern Yoma Mountains. It's
the third most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Burma after the Shwedagon
Pagoda in Yangon and the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay. A glimpse of the
"gravity defying" rock is believed to be enough of an inspiration for
any person to turn to Buddhism.
Covered
in a thick layer of gold leaves, the mammoth gold nugget shimmered as the sun
began to set, bathing the surrounding hills in soft pastels. The air was thick
with incense. A low-pitched bell rumbled quietly in the distance. Locals sat on
the ground and lit candles to begin their Buddhist rituals. Their palms pressed
together, uttering prayers while bowing forward.
It was
a calm, peaceful atmosphere despite the crows that sweltered as darkness fell.
It's a place where even I managed to find inner peace — even though the locals
acted as though I was famous.
With
blonde hair and blue eyes, I stuck out in the crowd of Asians like an obese man
in a thong. A woman asked if I could pose with her two young children for a
photograph in front of the rock. It didn't take long before I was swarmed by
others, wanting to do the same. Their faces lit up with excitement as they
viewed photos of us on their camera. I, however, couldn't have felt more
awkward.
It's
true. Blondes really do have more fun.
