A Letter From Pagan Burma

 October 17, 1983

I'm sitting atop a Buddhist temple built in 1218 AD. In front of me is the Irrawaddy River. And all around lies a sea of 11th Century temples; 250 temples and pagodas in a 46 square mile area - perhaps the most significant archaeological site in Southeast Asia (I have to interject the humorous comment from my travel companion, "This looks just like your apartment in Lincoln Park.")

Inside these temples are massive figures of Buddha; some constructed of wood & gold leaf, others of stone, masonry, plaster. Also inside are fresco paintings depicting Buddha's life, and life in general.