Lindsey's blog - first 24 hours in Burma, the land of smiles

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Our first 12 hours in Yangon have been delightfully overwhelming, a feast for the senses and almost impossible to describe in just a few words. The city reminds me of Delhi, extremely poor, dirty, noisy and yet interspersed with magnificent golden pagodas, decaying colonial buildings, vibrant street life and above all incredibly friendly and polite people, everywhere we have been. We have only seen a few other tourists and clearly tourism and westernisation have yet to take hold, but construction works on new roads and hotels has started - a few months ago foreign cars were allowed to be imported- things will change soon.

Even Eve has been completely taken in by the sights and sounds of the city, especially the golden pagodas, stupas and the huge buddha statues around every corner. Everywhere we go she is the centre of attention but not in a bothersome way, the locals just seem to want to say hello to her and to photograph her - she was even asked by a monk to pose with him for a photo !

Yesterday we visited the Shwedagon Pagoda (Pictured - see Eve and Rob?) it was Sunday and was throbbing with locals, but we felt completely safe and not at all unwelcome at this religious site, indeed the locals seemed delighted and excited about our presence. We stayed until after sunset when the lights came on and the gold really glowed. We all find the buddhist religion terribly complicated to understand, from the difference between stupas and pagodas (the former is solid and the latter hollow) to the different buddha poses - so we can only admire and respect it. Likewise with the language - we've learned to say 'min-ga-la-ba' meaning hello - but I dont think we will ever fathom out the writing !

I asked Eve to come up with her words to describe our first hours in Burma and these are : noisy, dirty, poor, magnificent golden stupas, friendly, smiley, a tower of gold, vibrant, happy, super hot!

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Comments

[Abi]

First few hours in Yangon
I really liked your photo and message can't wait till your next message and photo. It looks like a great place to be. Are you enjoying it there?The Golden temples look really pretty. Burma looks a little bit like China. Love from Abi xxxxxxx

[Evelinrob]

Burma Pagodas
Hi Abi, I am missing you very much. The pagodas in Myanmar are covered with real gold and are amazing. There are thousands in Myanmar !. Only one day to go here, tomorrow we take a bus across to Thailand and then a boat on the Mekong river to Laos. I can't wait for the river trip. lots of love from Evexxxxx

[Grace]

Hello!
Hi, glad to see you are having a good time! Are you having fun? It looks so lovely and hot where you are. It's soooo cold here! Only 5 degrees here today! I can't wait for the warmer weather. What is the food like? Is it tasty? Do you miss school? Love Grace

[Evelinrob]

missing school
Hi Grace, I am having an amazing time but miss all of year 2. It is extremely hot here. The food is very spicy but I have had some yummy mango, guava and pineapple smoothies. Please send lots of kisses to all of the girls (not the boys) in year 2. love Eve xxxxxxxx

[Mary]

The Photo
This is like 'Where's Wally' except where's Rob and Eve? Found you!!!!

[Evelinrob]

The photo
Hi Mary I hope you are all well; we are in Thailand now on the island of Koh Yao Noi; were you anywhere near there on your travels ? we are only an hour's sail from Krabi and Phuket but this island is hardly inhabited and our hotel is only accessible by boat or rough track - bliss ! Eve went snorkelling for the first time today and couldn't stop laughing through her snorkel at all the fish she could suddenly see under the surface! Best wishes to all Lindsey, Robert and Eve