About one kilometer north of Nyaungshwe, in Myanmar’s Shan State, is the teak monastery of Shwe Yaunghwe Kyaung. It’s an attractive little monastery dating back to the 19th century, sporting several large oval windows, from which young novice monks are always peeking out and grinning. Like the famous leg-rowers on nearby Inle Lake I suspect the monks are very accustomed to posing for photos. It’s a wonder they don’t charge a modeling fee!

I had an enjoyable time talking to the monks on my first day in Nyaungshwe so I ended up cycling back to the monastery three more times during my stay. The young monks were gracious and curious hosts. They asked lots of questions about my home country and my current life in Bangkok, and patiently answered my own questions as I attempted to speak with them in Burmese.

The monks study Pali and Buddhist texts for most of the morning and afternoon. Afterwards they sweep the grounds (occasionally poking one another with the brooms, or using one to play air guitar!) of the monastery and do various other chores. During their free time you will find them playing games, arm wrestling, or shooting rubberbands at one another: just boys being boys. In the evenings, one monk confided with a giggle, they sometimes watch TV or listen to the radio.