“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
-George Bernard Shaw
As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. In Myanmar, the people don't have much in the way of material things, but that doesn't mean they don't find ingenious ways in which to transform everyday items into playthings. Bottle caps, bicycle tires, a rattan ball, a spinning top... hours of fun. I came upon a toddler completely engrossed with his "toys": knobs of ginger root and a basket full of fist-sized onions. I met a beautiful young girl who showed me her cleverly-devised banana flower boat, the stamen of which were the "people" who enjoyed endless rides through her village with the tug of the boat's string. Game Boys and smart phones are a mere curiosity, shared with them by tourists such as myself (I did find great joy in watching a group of young monks play Animatch on my iPhone....). Rather, people actually interact with one another (bliss!) and physical games played outside are ever-present (even more bliss!). The simplicity tugs at my heart and makes me long to change some of my ways. Here's to trying!
Pillow fight!
Myanmar volleyball... sorta?
