taken from hsa*ba, burmese cookbook

This photograph is a reminder of our visit to Ananda Pagoda in Bagan. We spent an afternoon sitting quietly on the cool tiled floor, attempting to blend in with the locals. A number of novice monks stood motionless in meditation, while worshippers went about their daily routine. As we tried to capture the serene faces of the monks, I caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance.

The smell of the yellow champaca flowers stirred long-forgotten memories of my childhood; happy memories that made me feel warm and tingly inside. I was communicating this feeling to Christopher, possibly a little too loudly and the next thing I knew, the lady who was holding a bunch of these yellow flowers came back and gave me some with a knowing smile. I was deeply touched by her kindness and thanked her, forgetting to speak in Burmese!