Coach rescheduled my training plan to allow for a “taper” today so I can race tomorrow. So eat, visit the sites.
Continued the tour of Mandalay. Basically templed out by now, so any new temple won’t be inspiring. But Zin brought us to see more of the local scene. Wood work, paper doll makers, gold leaf makers, the Golden Palace, and more temples.
But today we had the honor to give alms to students at a local monastery in Sagaing, near Mandalay. We bought a local favorite sponge cake with sweet bean filling, and distributed them to the young monks at their final meal of the day at noon. That was an amazing experience.
On the way back, we managed to participate in another noviciation parade again. This time it is more grand and the procession is longer and more elaborate, with elephants and even more horses. You can tell who the sponsors are among the paraders: the ones with a bit more flesh on their bones compared to the others, flashing their gold and ruby jewelry pieces for all the see.
The day ended with a boat ride to El Boan bridge where we got to enjoy a scenic sunset with the bridge as the prop.
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