Shwedagon Pagoda — Jack Murnighan

Yangon's famed -- and gigantic -- Shwedagon pagoda. Finally putting up a picture, hoping you can see the sublime of the mathematical in its sheer size and grandeur.

But I can't help liking the smaller shrines better, like this little one.

And best of all I like the bells, like these three (including one detail).

Every visitor who comes to Yangon goes to see Shwedagon, as well they should. But I hope they step away from the gold and glitz and commune a bit with all the care and love that went into even the tiniest details of this majestic place. I think Myanmar likes to emphasize the spiritual impact of the big, but I keep being moved by the little -- here, there, often, always.