The Road Less Traveled: Burma Day 2: Yangon

The Bogyoke Market

Note to self: Don't come to Burma without small denomination bills. Banks are closed on Sundays and the market money changer doesn't open until 8:30, wait-- 9:30-- just kidding, 10:10. The jade and the jewelry are beautiful but I know I can get these in China. What's different about this market compared to the Chinese markets are the hand spun fabrics, the longyi and the baskets, lacquer wares, and paintings. I bought a set of 9 water color postcards that I intend to frame back in China. Haggling is a must here, but at the end of the day you're still only paying $1-5 for trinkets. And its not stressful to haggle, since half the time just a smile can reduce the cost by $1 by itself. The people here are so nice, I haven't met one yet that would really want to cheat me out of anything. Ah, I guess I have to go back to the room and get dressed for the airport. The pool here is so nice! As a side note: in Shenyang it's a high of 10*F; here in Yangon? 99*F. And it feels wonderful!
-/-

Myanmar Beer
>
Chinese Beer

Flying to Bagan. The plane was delayed 2 hours but I have mentally checked out, so waiting wasn't an issue. Where else would I be? Maybe by the pool sipping a cold drink. Instead, I'm enjoying a Myanmar Beer and chatting with R about Bagan and our amazing journeys.

Hand-written boarding passes

Now flying over vast red plains with massive hills in the distance. This propeller plane has been flying fairly low so it's exciting to see the villages from a birds eye view. Among the farms and fields, gold-topped temples dot the landscape. As we fly into Heho Airport, I realize once more today how incredible this experience is. Burma is beautiful, unexplored, and raw. The country has seen massive expansion in the last year, in trade, tourism and politics. A country once written off by most is now smack-dab in the middle of Southeast Asia's radar. While there is still a long way to go before it reaches its potential, Burma can enjoy the reality that it has surprised the world with its opening and proven its mettle among its neighbors. Onward to Mandalay!

Our oasis of a hotel in the middle of paradise

Completely. Blissed. Out. Upon return from a "typical food" dinner of fabulous Burmese dishes and entertainment, Rob & I took a dip in the hotel's gorgeous pool. Picturesque can't even begin to describe the atmosphere here! This country is so peaceful and the people are so kind and generous. Our taxi driver from the Bagan International? Airport was the most energetic driver I've ever met. Uh Uh was his name and I know all about his three kids (ages 29, 25, 19 who are a botanist, engineer, and nurse, and all bachelors) to his views on Obama, Clinton, and Romney, to his opinion of democracy and economics (favorable and capitalistic). The hotel staff greeted us with fresh papaya juice when we came in and escorted us to our spacious and refreshingly cool rooms. But the temperature when we landed was absolutely perfect; it couldn't have been much over 80*F with a slight breeze. Needless to say, I'm impressed with everything I've experienced in the last 24 hours.

Let's see: in that time I have---

Seen a temple at sunrise