These are very typical views in Myanmar. In fact I was told in Bagan (which I did not have the chance to explore), the whole scenery is so much more beautiful.
This country is actually very beautful even more beautiful to explore. Buildings are ancient built during early days of Bhudism. And they are still great temples all over the country. What ever it is, enough to deduce that there was a great power once, very advanced in agriculture, proud of their culture could possibly one of the great powers and civilizations.
I do not know much about history (which I kinda regret) but you can surely tell that was once ruled a great king during its era.
The people of Myanmar are very friendly and polite. They are very proud of their culture. With their sarongs (longyi) and practice in a big way like the celebration of the comng of age for children.
Surprisingly to me to get halal food is rather easy as there are major Muslims population in big cities. They are the desendents originated from India. Hence you can get chapati for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With dhal.... I adventurously tried the one by the roadside (suggested by Lonely Planet I thought) and ended up with food poisoning on my last day. But it was that bad...
Women, children and quite a lot of men stripe their faces with thanakha (powdered bark) as make up or perhaps sunscreen too. Almost 99 percent of the women I saw applied it. Makes me think the value and concept of beauty in different culture. Like the long neck, big ears in Northen Thailand.
Most taxis here are the worst condition vehicles I have even seen movinig on the road. It is very expensive the even bought one. The price told to me was very rediculous. And most of them are not air-conditioned.
Towns and cities are very dusty. I move around with the filter mask on my face. I could feel it in my throat in the morning especially.
One of the cabbies that I met was actually a university graduate. In fact he has a master degree in Anthropology.
Education in expensive, even at primary level. Poverty is very rampant to a certain extend makes me feel depressed and powerless. I wish I could to something to improve their condition.. I wonder how their government feels about this when they look at the way they live, everyday.... boy it's a huge responsibilty to be a leader.
Its a long uphill battle for the country to be developed. How could you develop a country without education, which I think the most essential foundation. How could you attract foreign investment without skilled labours to offer. It makes me feel proud about my own country, yet still think that my government could do a lot better.....
The country is rich with mineral. Ruby and sapphire are big here, probably the best quality in the world. They use gold and precious stones to adorned the statue of Buddha. In the ritual, they also stick gold (real) leaves to Buddha statue. That's a lot of gold.
They practice that since early days of their civilization. Gold are only for God and King. So, it was not a norm for the general people to own gold or keep them.
People are oppressed from expressing their political views. Quite sad really. Not much freedom in a lot of ways. Perhaps the government prefer it to be that way so the the people wouldn't be too smart yo be against them.
I still remember we passed through a road block at about 2am. All tourists are allowed through the check point with having to splash their travel documents. But, the locals have to line up and show their ID. I thougt that was really wierd. They should check the foreigners, no?
In Mandalay, curfiew starts at 11pm every night. If the police find locals on the street, they (the locals) will be questioned. To tourists, they wont.
There are street light, not as frequent as the ones that we have where I come from but, yeah, quite scattered really. The usage are rationed. Different areas get lit up in different nights. The roads are just dark. Could be piched dark. There was once I actually helped the trishaw with my travel torchlight. You just could not see the road.
