Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

Raucous music blaring down a dusty lane in Mandalay. Eerie vocalizations, shrill, high-pitched articulations from the spirit realm. Percussive drums, cymbals, gongs cutting through oppressively thick heat and shimmering in the air. Irresistibly drawn to the source, we find golden statues surrounded by offerings of coconuts, flowers and incense. Nat kadaws, spirit wives to the animist Nats, were consuming rotgut rum and chain-smoking cigarettes as they prepared to be over-taken by their spirit lovers. Fascinated by this ancient ritual that prevailed throughout Burma before Buddhism we venture closer. Asking permission to photograph and record the music we make a monetary offering toward the ritual that was just beginning. Now I am an unwitting participant seated center stage, all eyes are watching my reactions. I will never forget this unexpected adventure on a magical afternoon in Burma.