Inle Lake, in Southern Shan State, proved to be something that our family had never seen before. A freshwater lake (the second largest in the country), Inle Lake is home to close to 70,000 people, many who lived on the lake. Literally. In places like Miami or Hawaii, we'd seen homes near the water but not entire villages on top the water. To see these simple, devout peoples, who exist primarily on fishing and their floating gardens (and tourism too), was something that would change the way we move forward.
All four of us were taken back (in a good way) by the simple way of life we observed. We witnessed traditional weaving done by local women and were in awe of the men out in the early morning fog, rowing with their feet, catching the daily meal. We were curious about the Kayan long neck women and the boy monks who were buying candy at the market. We thought about the ease and convenience of our modern world in California compared to the labor intensive, daily lives of those we encountered. Our way may be 'easier' but their way of life felt like it held more substance and that was something that took root in use. Roots that remain with us and may for a very long time to come.
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