A study in contrast is inevitable when traveling from one well developed place to one where the GDP can not hope to compete. Such is true for my experience having just traded Singapore for Yangon. One is pristine in every way from the streets, mode of transportation, and food services. The other is much more third world with typical hassles and problems.
Our day began with a 5 am wakeup, the usual generous food offerings at our hotel and a traffic free, expensive 31 Singapore dollar cab ride to the airport. Trading Singapore Air with Jet Star, we enjoyed our no frills 2.5 hour flight to Yangon. We sat near a very sweet young local who gave us samples of candy she was taking home to her family.
Passing customs and retrieving our bags was fast and seamless. We were met by our tour director and our guide, Ko Ko (pronounced Jo Jo). This where our tour for the day began, suitcases and all. And again, contrasts. Bumper to bumper traffic with no apparent rules prevailed and somehow works well in this city of 7 thousand.
Buildings are from the colonial era when the British ruled briefly from 1824-1948. Many buildings are scared from age, black from humidity, disrepair, and damage from Japanese bombs. Because of frequent changes in the government and relocation of the Capital, funds for improvements have been funneled to the new capitol city Nay Pyi Taw. 1/4 of the population lives in poverty, and in spite of this resource rich country, it is branded the least developed in the world.
Jo Jo took us to many buildings that the locals revere. All are 100 years old or more. He told us that the government built a brand new post office and yet no one ever goes there. "It is like a ghost town" he said.
We ate lunch at a local restaurant where we were served a delicious goat and potato dish, chicken curry, vegetables and rice. We did not walk away hungry! Over lunch, Jo Jo filled us in on some interesting history.
Yangon, formerly Rangoon, was the capital of independent Burma from 1948-2006. Originally settled in the 11th century by the Mon people and up until a King intervened, it was called Dagon. King Paya changed the name to Yangon.
Next it was time to meet the beautiful Chauk Htat Gyi a 64 meter reclining Buddha. Annalisa bought her first longgi to dress respectfully for the occasion.
After a walk by a pretty lake- reservoir, we were taken out to tea. Young men served us an array of food for which we were way too full to eat. If you don't touch the food you don't pay for it. These teens, all wearing shorts and numbered jerseys, (Lucky 7 for name of restaurant) were all attentive, adorable and part of a work-study program. British style black tea was served mixed with canned milk and sugar in small cups. One of our discussions with our driver and guide involved discussing ages. Both young men were our son's ages. Both were sweetly shocked at our ages. They had guessed much younger!! We were charmed of course.
In late afternoon we were taken to the most popular temple, the Shwedagon Pagoda acclaimed to be 2,500 years old. This is the draw for many Buddhist pilgrimages. This enormous pavilion was built high on a hill (300 steps) in the center of the city. One must give up your shoes at the entrance and then travel barefooted by stairs or take a lift to the top. We chose the lift! Then you continue, still shoeless, on warm marble for many dreadfully painful (for me) miles. Our guide insisted we see the pagoda at all angles, N, S,E, W. "One is more beautiful than the last." However, my feet gave up, less than a quarter turn somewhere between north and south forcing me into a wheelchair for the remainder of the viewing. While I waited for Jo Jo to get my chariot, a monk joined us for a lovely conversation. I was hoping for some sort of magical cure. He just wanted to practice his English!
And public donations of their private jewelry!
If you made it this far, thank you. Tomorrow we hit Smith's Market where we are told bargains abound. Tonight we rest our weary bodies!
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