Months of research went into my trip to Myanmar. With Laos, there was none of that. I had cut out and packed the thin Laos section of my SE Asia guidebook, but hadn't actually read it. I didn't know what to expect. Really, the main reason I went was to visit my friend who had … Continue reading Waylaid by Laos
It's time to leave Myanmar. It was an amazing place. I'm so glad I went, though still a little shocked that I did it! Ah well. Something to tell my kids about someday. Here are a few remaining photos I made - didn't really go with a story, just liked them! And.... why not a … Continue reading Myanmar – Cutting room floor
The next morning, my taxi driver Aung Sann picked me up at 5:30am to go watch the sunrise on Shwesandaw Paya. It seemed like the entire village was out along the main road exercising! Walking, running, doing calisthenics. I guess when the oppressive heats hits around 7:30am, you get up at the crack to get … Continue reading Bagan – Sunrise, sunset
Sometimes I'm amazed how my head works. While in Bangkok last year, I saw a photo in a newspaper of a place I'd never heard of called Bagan and decided that I should go. Who does that? I prepped and read everything I could about Myanmar. I secured a wad of crisp, new USD $50 … Continue reading Bagan – The four hour tour
As much as I edit photos at work, you'd think this would be easy for me. I've whittled down 500+ photos taken in Bagan to 36, but I can't post 36 photos. I don't want this to become like shades of a vacation slide projector show on the living room wall. I want you to … Continue reading Bagan – A hint
Time for a little photo feature...
She sweetly handed me a plumeria blossom, then started to run away. The second of twelve pagodas I would visit that day, the Mingala Zedi Pagoda, had steps up to a wide walkway circling the pagoda. Mesmerized by my first glimpse of the plains around me, I saw acres of scattered scrubby trees, interrupted by … Continue reading Bagan – The Flower
It seems like I need to take a moment to talk about the recent political history of Myanmar. There are many people who refuse to travel to Myanmar because of the human rights abuses by the government. The abuses are horrid and shocking. I was reminded of the struggle for democracy watching The Lady this … Continue reading Sidebar
Shwedagon is the place to see and be seen. It reminded me of the Italian passeggiata - an evening stroll by residents through town. The same happens at this very holy site. There was such an amazing mix of people there - local families, devout Buddhists making offerings, tourists, young people hanging out, monks. It … Continue reading Shwedagon Paya – Yangon
Eau De Diesel... my first impression of Yangon. The air hummed with generators due to the regular power outages. The city buzzed not only with the whir of generators, but with people and cars. I didn't know before arriving, but the city has a population of 5 million people, and I think I saw many … Continue reading Downtown Yangon
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