A monk is allowed to collect, receive and consume food between dawn and  noon. He is not allowed to consume food outside of this time and he is not allowed to store food overnight. A monk must have all eatables and drinkables, except plain water, formally offered into his hands or placed on something in direct contact with his hands. Every morning the monks of Bagan walk through the town accepting gifts of food from the local people. They return to their monastery were they eat together.

Food of every kind can be found in the street markets where presentation is always utilitarian but beautiful.

The local people are extremely friendly and were happy to be photographed. Oddly, the boys seemed to be more into hair fashion than the girls.

My guide may have been the friendliest of all. He took me to his home and introduced me to his lovely family.  I have asked him to visit us should he ever find himself in the Boston area.