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Mandalay Myanmar 11 January, 2005 Dear Family and Friends, |
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Please click on the image for more
photos of Mandalay. |
Today was a day for a quiet stroll. After breakfast at the hotel, I strolled over to the main market - three floors of dozens of small stalls selling dry goods, and clothing and cosmetics, house wares and electronics. I bought a small piece of red and gold threaded floral design fabric to add to my collection. Next I strolled out to the street for a coffee under the clock tower.
Then I strolled towards Strand Street which could only mean the The River. The guidebook says, "There is always something happening there." Mandalay is very spread out so I strolled about half way and hailed a tri-shaw.
A tri-shaw is a bicycle with a seat to the right of the driver. The seat is attached to the bicycle by a steel frame under which is a third wheel. The seat is just wide enough for the average Asian. (Hey, I am down to 87 kilos.) The driver peddled over to the road above The River. So I strolled some more, looking down at the action on The Irrawaddy River.
The scene below was unique. Large bamboo rafts with women doing their laundry in the river - a very colorful scene. The main business here is bamboo. Piles of dried bamboo poles that are chopped and sliced and then woven into mats used for roofs, walls and flooring. Boats with large square red sails heading up the river for another load.
Another stair! This one was headed down to the riverside. I spotted a large pile of pottery so I took a look. A young woman approached me. I understood that she wanted to take me for a 30 minute ride around a small island on the river in her wooden boat. Of course, I agreed.
San, 18, ever smiling and laughing, a typical young Burmese woman in her blouse and longyi. She paddled slowly while I took some photos. At one point the channel was so shallow that she hopped out and pushed me and the boat. I pointed to my belly and we had a laugh.
After about twenty minutes she headed for the opposite shore and her home there.
We landed, I hopped out and we headed up the bank to her little hut on stilts. Mama was sitting outside peeling some greens; younger sister and infant sister and papa were all home. Beside the house were two small pens. One pen with mama sow and the other with a few piglets snorting about. And one rooster. We sat for a while; they offered me some food which I politely refused. I pointed to my belly and said I was "full." And we all had another laugh.
After my cruise and back at the riverside, I climbed the stairs and found the View Point Restaurant for lunch. Glass of beer. Spicy soup with parsley, scallions and dried basil. Sauteed mushrooms and baby corn in oyster sauce with tomato, green pepper and bits of soy. Fried rice with garlic and vegetables. Side dish of sliced tomatoes and red onions with chili sauce. Hot tea in a glass.
So, who needs the QE 2? I had a cruise on The River with a charming, cheerful captain. $1.25. I had a tasty alfresco lunch with a great view. $1.75. And, I don’t have to dress for dinner. And, I don’t have to listen to "Yellow Bird" on a steel drum!
Later, after a cross-town tri-shaw ride, dodging motor bikes and cars, I will have a stroll in the public gardens and the zoo where I will meet a family with three children including a set of three year old identical twin boys. I bought some greens and we all took turns feeding the large mouthed hippos. I completed my stroll in the zoo and headed home.
So, the thought for the day: "Just take a stroll. There’s always something happening."
Cheers,
Jan
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