A bucolic scene.  I don't think I have ever used that word in print before but it seems just right for this image

Boarding our ox cart for our ride to the village, Colin stepped in what can be politely called a bucolic pile and is wondering what to do with his shoe

Hsinbyume Pagoda

The Moustache Brothers enjoy a certain amount of notoriety in the West due to the continuing political nature of their humour.  This landed them in trouble in 1996 when U Lu Zaw and U Par Par Lay were sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with hard labour for the first two years.  Their crime was to tell a  joke at the governments expense during independence day celebrations outside the home of Aung San Suu Kyi.    Recently re-united it was a privilege to visit their little Theatre

The Stand up (well ok sitting down) comedian, Lu Maw goes through his opening routine.

Lu Maw the master of ceremonies speaks good English, quickly determining the nationality of his audience,  peppers his performance with appropriate asides for everyone.  He is justifiable proud of his Lovely Wife  (even Google doesn't know her name) a talented classical dancer whose face graces the current Italian edition of the Lonely Planet Guide to Myanmar 

Family members were introduced and costumes and gestures explained before each act.  We couldn't help but pick up a little insight into the political situation either.  At around the time of our visit a local radio station had taken to calling U Par Par Lay for his joke of the day

We weren't sure what to expect from the Moustache Brothers .  I anticipated a certain amount of political comedy but did not realize that they are a family Pwe troupe.   Pwe being a theatrical blend of traditional music, dance, drama and improvisation on the news of the day.   It is performed all over Myanmar at many social and monastic functions as well as at theatres