I really wish that I could blog while walking around. That some little device was just taking my thoughts and putting them into a well written paragraph for me. But unfortunately that is not how it works and you all have to deal with my choppy way of writing. Deal with it. But hey... I don't make you read this. I'm just happy that you do.
I'm currently in a little town in Myanmar called Pyin Oo Lwin. It is where the British would come for their vacations from Mandalay during their settlement. A lot of colonial buildings which seems a bit out of place in Myanmar. Nice here though. And much like the rest of Myanmar, not super touristy. I'm sharing a room with a girl from France who was looking for a room. I was in the lobby and when the receptionist said the place was full I told her I wouldn't mind sharing. There are two beds here so why not? So instead of $17/night it will be just $8.50. :) Cheap by western standards, expensive by southeast Asian standards.
I love that about traveling. A complete stranger... yet I'm willing to share a room with her. Don't know a thing about her but she seemed okay. And she is a nice girl. We're both feeling lazy today but planning on biking to the botanical gardens later. Then the train to Hsipaw tomorrow. It is suppose to be really nice.
Myanmar is a great place and I'm glad to have decided to come here. It's super dry and hot 100F/38C but somehow an open window and fan are fine for the nighttime. I guess lack of humidity does take a factor in it all. The people are really nice and helpful here. They are honest and not trying to scam you (at least they really don't seem that way). And a lot just like the opportunity to practice their English. I met a motorbike driver in Mandalay who I sat and had tea with. He pointed out things on my map and told me which towns are nice and how to get there, etc. Everyone was looking at us and smiling. A simple "mingaloba" (hello) gave me a smile and a wave. They are curious people and may stare at first but once you smile, they smile back. And using any sort of Burmese.... they really appreciate. So far I know how to say, hello, goodbye, thank you, what is your name?, and my name is. And the kids here are beyond adorable. All of them.
I decided to go with that same motorbike driver to three towns outside of Mandalay. Yet another thing I wouldn't do back home, just trust this guy to tour me around and bring me back to my hotel safely. But it was completely fine and I really enjoyed spending the day with him. He said he started learning English three years ago and watches American movies which he said a lot of times they say "shut up", "fucking", and "don't move". He may be watching a certain genre of movies but not exactly the best vocabulary to learn. He also knew random sayings like "shake a leg" and "well done is better than well said". It was fun to help him practice his English and for him to teach me some Burmese. He also explained a bit about the culture and although I'm not sure he understood all my questions he answered as much as he could. It was a great day overall. The same day of the dirty feet photo. :)
My English has become so simplified between talking to locals and other travelers. What once was "is that a good book you're reading?" Is now a point and "good book?" Sometimes accompanied by an okay sign which I attribute to diving. I also am speaking a lot slower which I guess is a good thing.
Reverse culture shock is looming. It was SO HARD to go back to Boston after south America and I'm assuming it will be similar this time around. It's not even the expense I'm worried about... It's the going back to "real life" which honestly is just so foreign to me. Like, stability just doesn't make sense right now in my life. And trying to articulate this amazing experience to friends and family back home is nearly impossible. But.... I have ten days left... So still time to enjoy life on the road.
And the Malaysia air flight is still missing. Scary yet really fascinating story. There is still some bit of hope in my heart that the plane landed safely in some remote area. I know that is nearly impossible but I am holding on to it until they can prove that didn't happen. I can't imagine what the family befriends of the passengers and crew must be going through. I really hope they get their answers soon. Whatever that may be. They deserve to move on...
Okay... that's it for me. This was much better written than I thought it would be. Hope you enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment