Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

Music builds as a spirit medium drinks a draught of fiery rum and begins spinning in trance. I am to be the main recipient of the blessings of this ceremony. Swords swish by my head in rapid succession. Strands of jasmine slide down my face. Eggs and fried fish are placed in my lap.The crowd beams with pleasure. The combination of noise and heat is too much. I signal my partner for help in making a graceful exit. A small girl with a serious face and dirty clothes stands shyly to my right. Our translator asks if she would accept the food. Her face brightens. I place the fish and eggs in her tiny hands. She ceremoniously carries them home. Onlookers smile at the good fortune sure to come. I marvel at the cultural barriers temporarily dissolved by goodwill and human kindness on a dusty street in Mandalay.