Myanmar days 11 & 12

Myanmar days 11 & 12, this morning we visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, an ancient timber building.

Inside a monk is sitting in front of the main Buddha image, chanting continually, they work in relays to maintain the 24 hour monologue, their beds are in the corridor so that they are near at hand for their next shift, dedication in the extreme. The inside of the four outer walls of the monastery contain hundreds of small alcoves, each containing a Buddha donated by a follower.

This is another example of the massive investment of individuals' time, effort and money in their Buddhist faith over the last 1000 years throughout Myanmar, and indeed throughout South East Asia. Buddha is central and intrinsic to the daily lives of His active followers who make up the vast majority of people in this part of the world. Now we fly to Yangon (Rangoon) and board our bus. We stop outside the home of Aung San Suu Kyi, The Lady who is leading the struggle for democracy in Myanmar.

Lunch is traditional Burmese fare in a locals caf., excellent as always.

Then 2 hours wandering around the main market in the city. On the ground floor the tightly packed tiny stalls are selling everything you can think of to thousands of locals and tourists. On the first floor there are no tourists when I go up to have a look, here there are hundreds of tiny workshops with thousands of craftsmen and ladies packed in. They are making all sorts of things, clothes, jewelry, metalwork, all the stuff they are selling downstairs. I think not a sweatshop because the workers are well dressed and look happy, but undoubtedly concentrated work for long hours, days, weeks and years for these people. Back on the street, I take a picture of roasted grasshoppers but decide not to sample one.

We have our farewell group evening meal in a French restaurant. I don't know why the tour company chooses a French restaurant. It is Nouveau Cuisine. Looks good and very tasty but not enough of it for me. Back at the hotel, a porter takes our final group photo.

The next morning after a hearty breakfast, we say our farewells and prepare for our flights. It's a slightly weird feeling that after 12 days together, these 13 people will by tonight be scattered all over the world. I fly to Chiang Mai where Englishman from Torquay Jim (who lives here) meets me at the airport and we go for fish and chips in a caf. run by a Northumbrian guy. It's a funny old world. Take care you all, John