February 24, 2005
Bangkok, Thailand
Dear Family and Friends,
Here are some good stories.
An assortment of trivia, fun and ribbald humour.
No second and third drafts on these. Just typing away.
I hope you have a good laugh.
Jan
February 2, 2005
At breakfast at the Queens Park hotel, I chatted up a lovely woman (or was it the other way around?). Our instincts told us that we would be compatible traveling companions. We decided on a quiet day in Yangon before heading north to Bago.
Teresa and I spend the day at the zoo and at the Bogyoke Aung San Museum.
"Located in the Bahan Township, this quiet and secluded house-museum is the former home of General Aung San and his wife Daw Kin Kyi, and contains remnants of another era. The house itself dates from the 1920's and the rooms, stairways, railings and furniture are fairly intact. There are several old family photos, which of course include daughter Suu Kyi as a little girl."
Queens Park Hotel
Yangon, Myanmar
January 29, 2005
Dear Family and Friends,
On my last full day in Myanmar, I planned to visit The Shwedagon Paya (temple) once again, either at sunrise or at sunset. The guidebook says it's "magical."
Bagan, Myanmar
January 22,, 2005
Dear Family and Friends,
"Min gala ba" -- Hello.
Just over the wall is the main road. I can hear the occasional grind of a motor bike, a pleasant beep of a bus, the clippity-clop of a horse pulling a small, covered, upholstered cart -- my choice for getting around Bagan.
Just across the road is the long promenade to the Swezigon Paya (Pagoda or Temple).
January 28, 2005
The day-long boat ride down the Ayeyarwady River from Mandalay to Bagan...smooth, picturesque, uneventful.
Except for one stop along the way at Pakokku. Local women selling large, bright, hand woven cotton cloth. As the boat began to back away from the dock, the women became more agitated and started tossing their beautiful weavings to the passengers at the railing of the boat. Read more »
January 22, 2005
Back to Mandalay for two day's visit to the Ancient Cities. Day one - Inwa, Sagang, Amarpura. Day Two - Mingun.
Inwa. Nanmyin - a 27m high masonry watchtower. This one I climbed. Bagaya Kyaung - the entire monastery is built of teak and supported by 267 teak posts, the largest measures 18m in height and 2.7m in circumference.
Sagang. Colorful temples. Colorful market.
Amarpura. U Bein's Bridge - 1.2km footbridge, for two centuries now, the longest teak span in the world.
Mingun. "If we had to choose just one of the four ancient cities around Mandalay to visit, it would be Mingun."
This essay was published in To Myanmar With Love. ThingsAsian Press. 2009. pg 232.
I love Mandalay. I hate my hotel room. I wander and explore. I discover the Unity Hotel. At the reception desk, Thida is so lovely and gracious. With a kind smile she says, “We will be happy to welcome you.” I checked in the next day
After breakfast, before my climb of Mandalay Hill, I invite Thida for coffee. She smiles. She declines
Before my tour of Innwa, Amarapura, and Sagaing, I ask again. She smiles.
Finally, after I return from my river ride to Mingun where for good luck I pat the tail of the huge stone elephant, I try once more and Thida smiles. “You have asked me three times. Now I will say “yes.” Yes!
Public social relationships in Myanmar are conservative and discrete. A “date” in Myanmar means that the girl shows up with a chaperone or two. Thida introduces me to her cousin and her friend. During our dinner date I comment on their excellent English. They tell me they attend an evening class at the local Monastery School. I admit that many years ago, as a high school teacher in New York City, my specialty was teaching English to immigrant boys. (“Juanita is tall. Conchita is taller than Juanita. Carmelita is the tallest.”) Thida invites me to teach a class.
January 22, 2005
After two days in Mandalay, I headed for the hills and Pyin U Lwin, the stage coach ride (see "Transportation Edition") and the Botanical Garden.
"Colonel May used Turkish prisoners of war to develop this 96-hectare Botanical Garden during WW I. This garden features wide expanses of manicured grass, large flower beds 20 hectares of natural forest with walking trails, a rose garden, an orchid house, a small stupa on an islet in a pond and several other ponds."
Portions of this letter were published in To Myanmar With Love. ThingsAsian Press. 2009. pp187-188.
Pyin U Lwin, Shan State
Myanmar
Sunday January 16, 2005
Dear Family and Friends,
This morning I am having a hot cup of real coffee.
Most of the coffee in Myanmar has been "Coffee Mix." A packet of instant coffee, sugar and powdered milk. Just add hot water.
Thankfully, coffee is grown in the hills nearby. Pyin U Lwin, an old British "hill station" in the mountains is just 67 kilometers east of Mandalay.
And hot is what I need. This morning I could see my breath! Man, it's cold. Osama was good enough to make some vegetable soup for breakfast. I dined out in the sun, with several layers of clothing. I remembered to bring along my scarf and hat, but I neglected to bring my woolen gloves. Why in the world did I pack them if not for mornings like this?
Mandalay
Myanmar
January 11, 2005
Dear Family and Friends,
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.v 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.
Post to Twitter
