It is despicable and saddening to know of the repression that the Buddhist monks went through during last year in Myanmar. 
It is hard to get to know more peaceful and wonderful people, always very curious, respectful and open to a wide dialog on any topic.
Unlikely talking to other people focused in any given activity, a religion, a profession, a hobby, and for many Buddhist monks 
the temple is their world and Buddhism is their life, in the long discussions had with them, I never felt in any way, any intention 
to persuade me of their case, nor the least effort to sell me their values.

I see them as people irradiating peace and serenity, they have so much of it that they give it away.
They are definitely the stars of the place.

As a Western person, used to a completely different lifestyle and thinking, going to South East Asia and spend some time 
with the monks while they show us around their temples is both refreshing and thought provoking. Probably because of 
these reasons, any stay in South East Asian countries feels far much longer and more disconnecting from the yearly routine, 
than a similar stay in standard holidays spots.