Blogs from Burma, Asia - page 135

In Myanmar, there are about 135 ethnic groups. Among them, the major races are Bamar, Shan, Kayin, Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Mon and Rakhine. They all have their own dialect, tradition, culture, legendary and traditional costume. Our traditional costume consist “longyi” (sarong) and “eingyi” (blouse) & (shirt) Centuries ago, firstly the people from India, Tibet and Mongolia came into Myanmar. The way of the dressing of our earliest people “Pyus” was like Indian people. When King Anawyatha won the battle in India, he brought also Indian traditions and cultures. So, on that time, Indian culture influenced in Myanmar. Bamar men wear ankle -length patterns of checks, plaids or stripes “Longyi” in any kinds of color. Kayin traditional “longyi” has solid reds bordered with horizontal stripes at the middle. Rakine patterns fracture a thick, high- relief weave ... read more

Dear folks.... I wil try to keep you updated with news thoroughout my trip. Although, I must say that I have a suspicion that this far easier said than done. Give me a break... I am in the airport lounge of Japan Airlines, with a crisp New York Times and a hot fresh of coffee. While I did not chose the fried wonton breakfast, I did indulge in a bagel and a little Bailey's for the road. Boos and Bagels... a real wholesome breakast. My panic now is feeling that I will run out of books on my trip. My first flight is 14 hours long OR 1 and 3/4 books. Running out of books is like running out of water. The good news is that Burma is filled with black market copies of George ... read more

Ah, waking up to the sounds of the bustling of city streets - and no roosters!!!!! To top the morning off, we found a Mexican restaurant and had burritos for breakfast! Believe it or not, they were very good, and not too different to what we find in California. The adventure for today - the Goldent Triangle. This is where Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Thailand all meet together, separated only by the Mekong River and its branches. The first thing we did was get dropped off at the Myanmar border. We had to pay an entrance fee of $5 to get across the border and they kept out passports! That made us all nervous, but that was the policy. We got them back, with stamps when we crossed back into Thailand, so no harm no foul ... read more

It's late afternoon when I book into my bungalow on the river at Queen Guesthouse with a view across to the boat docks. The room has just been completed. I am the first occupant. The pine smells fresh and the boards on the wall are rough and splintered. I say good-bye to Alex, Keyo and Tutu, offering them each a tip. 'Time is money' does not apply equally in all parts of the world. For his three days work, Alex will earn 23$, a good sum in Myanmar. 'Time is time'. It takes a young woman three to four days to complete a tight-weave scarf that will sell in the market for three to four dollars. The vendor in the market and the woman's boss will take most of that. Everybody seems to have time here. ... read more

Hello. Good morning. How are you? Where you come from? where you staying? first time to Myanmar? How long you stay in Bagan? You buy postcard? wood carving? laquerware? Antique? You buy ruby? emerald? Good price for you. lucky money. Coca cola, lemon, orange, Sprite, water? They catch my attention everytime and with a few questions can deduce how much I'm worth to them. These are all the conversations I've shared in the past couple days. My smile and no thank-you turned to a polite nod to a simple wave of the hand to the point where I answer their hello with No, I don't buy. Hand painting, sir? I don't make eye contact. The situation is ridiculous and pitiful and universal, the haves and have nots. The sky is overcast for three days, including a ... read more