Finally, I smelled the dry air and felt my skin slowly burn to a crisp by the merciless sun which shone over Bagan. I had mouthed the word "wow" many times at the many temples, stupas, and pagodas stretched out in front of me. Each second I savored and filled my head with unforgettable images not only of the place, but of its people. I was particularly endeared by those young children we met on our first morning in New Bagan. The previous night we had arrived wasted from the almost thirty-six hours of no-sleep traveling—from Manila, with a layover in Kuala Lumpur, a whole day in Yangon, and the eight-hour trip to New Bagan.