As a matter of fact, I was not particularly eager to spend the winter in Burma. In the first place, I didn't really know anything about it, and there was no particular interest in it. For 2015, I wanted to travel to countries where people live better. Now that I have had the opportunity to visit the country of "barbed wire," I look at it differently. Now, the possibility of a visit is zero. This doesn't concern the covid, but rather the military regime that has permanently absorbed the nation.
Tourism was not available in every region of the country at that time. Tourists were allowed along the coast, in the center of the country, but very few tourists were allowed in the north. The north, however, conquered me. It was the openness of the people, the slowness (which enraged me greatly, as the bus schedule was plus or minus 3 hours) and the complete lack of greed for tourists' money. You should spend a few days hiking in the north. The guides will lead you through the villages, and you will share food and shelter with the locals. No electricity or a toilet inside, but there are lanterns and a lot of laughter from whites who complain about being helpless.
There are not many tourists in the north, everyone is interested in Bagan and Lake Inle, but they are all broke. As long as you don't pawn, there is no point in doing it. Do not say that you will walk along the plain. Start early in the morning. In the meantime, we will have a chance to have a snack with mini bananas from the bush, I am not entirely sure where the bones are, but in nature, there are bony bananas.
Burma's food is its biggest weakness. It is simply impossible to eat there. Apparently, the locals in the villages were not fond of spices, which spoiled the taste. Additionally, they were not yet ready for tourists, there were no pictures on the menu (even in Yangon) and no English descriptions. Thus, on the very first evening after arriving in the country, I ordered raw onions in some kind of sauce.
As in Laos, the road in Myanmar is shared by horses and cars.
In addition, I noticed that women in the country work hard. For the purpose of this discussion, let's just say that I am not aware that roads were repaired in another country by women instead of men. The Burmese Hulk women, on the other hand, have to move boulders, as well as care for children and the kitchen.
Let's take a look at some rustic scenes.
I want to share pictures you won't forget. This is what you need to show to your kids who don't want to attend school but still want iPhones. Somewhere far away, there are children who wish to write in notebooks and not run out of ink in their pens. However, what I'm talking about, if only there were a teacher who could teach!
What an amazing school! A place where children want to learn but cannot.
Myanmar is one of the last countries in "old Asia". Asia existed from the beginning of the world until the end of the 20th century. A continent filled with bright luxury, unique style, fabulous riches, and wonders at every turn. As a result of the military regime, which largely isolated the country from modernity during the 1950s, the magical colors of charm and uniqueness began to fade.
Visiting Burma today is a journey that takes you through space and time.
Written by Vlada Starostina
Photo by me too
@vlada_starostina
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