Asia
Myanmar
Yangon
Today we didn't leave the room until 5 pm. I will tell you 2 stories; one explains why we didn't leave. It is yours to decide which Universe to accept:
(Alternative 1)
There were seemingly unconnected incidents that I didn't Mind… but my subconscious was feeling uneasy… red smiles (picture #1), blood stains on floor (picture #2), everything closes by dusk, I found no garlic in their dishes a few days ago (but lots now: picture #3) and hardly found silver in jewelry… then I found there is even a vampire fish in the North (Danionella dracula; picture #4)! Now that I see how all starts to make sense, Thingyan (Water Festival) starts and all is closed for about week (picture #5)… I am sure now this is the time when vampires can feed on humans… mostly tourists, since practically all the local population is infested (that is why the government has opened their doors to tourism… checked online to fly away from the city, but "all is booked due to holidays"… That means, we're trapped! Unless… I try to look for information, trying to convince myself it is all just a paranoid delusion… and the Internet connection starts failing; so I decide I have to warn the worl… the connection is down. I need to find a Roman Catholic Church to fill my water guns with Holy Water before dusk… and time is running out!
Picture #1
Picture #2
Picture #3
Picture #4
Picture #5
(Alternative 2)
Among the cultural highlights on Myanmar is the widespread use of the stimulant "Kun-ya" ("Paan" in India from where it originated) that is a combination of elements to chew (a betel vine leaf, areca nut, chalk, and some aroma). Their chronic users not only red-stain their teeth (picture #1): it eventually leads to tooth loss and increases chances of mouth/larynx/esophagus cancer (and since these people are so friendly and smiley, you see chewing kun-ya is very popular). Red-stained splashes of the spit saliva are commonly seen on the streets (picture #2).
Other interesting facts are:
• almost everything closes by 9pm (typical of an agricultural mentality)
• food is quite tasty and very different depending on the region of origin (copious garlic in this dish: picture #3)
• unique fauna like the small yet impressive Danionella dracula (picture #4) that, despite its appearance and name, does not feed on blood
• a long holiday (picture #5) that includes their New Year and Thingyan (Water Festival) starts
all is closed for a week
• The government is trying to encourage tourism… in my cynic opinion, just to make more money. As the title song goes:
"…you and your Cronies…" "cronies" is the English word used here to refer to the government and friends (strongly represented by the Army) that run Myanmar. After 25 years of hardcore rule, the Junta allowed "democratic elections" but it is still in power, and you can sense in the common people they do not feel represented or free to express opinions (something I've observed on all the counties I've visited in SE Asia)
• and final comment: Internet. From few places (mostly important hotels) 5 years ago to quite widespread WiFi connections today, it is almost more reliable than the power supply!
Oh; back into the "Alternative 2 Story" on why we didn't leave until 5pm: It was too hot outside! We were too lazy inside!
):)
After 5pm, we did a crazy walk! From the hostel to downtown and back (about 8 miles; almost 4 hours). For me the funniest memory is seeing an increasingly tired Basia
getting freaked out by:
a) bats (trauma from the Cairns Incident ;)
b) rats (they are common here, and nit so afraid of humans)
c) a cockroach that, like a kamikaze, run inside her right flip flop!
d) a rolling flower (jajaja!)
e) "a bunch if jihadist on a party float" (it looked like that; too fast to take a picture)
f) bats again around Happy World (where kids have fun during daytime)
g) a static stem of a fern that was immobile on the floor (at this time, she was jumping for anything!)
h) sounds of any critter… even me!
Once back in the hostel, shower and sleep… and ready to Face The Water tomorrow! ):)
Below is a collection of images from the day… welcome randomness! :D
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