Here are some tidbits of information, compliments of Moe as we made the drive from Pathein to Yangon to catch a plane to the mountainous area of Shen State:
-poor countries are discouraged from exporting finished products- wooden furniture, woven fabrics, clothes, etc. This way, other countries can import raw materials from the poorer countries, manufacture finished products, and thus create themselves as middlemen, gaining profit that could have gone to the poorer country. Is this taking advantage or what????
(this was in Katie's rice at lunch- yummy!=)
-there is severe deforestation, firewood shortage, estuary disappearance, etc in Burma. Mangrove swamps are being wiped out, which serve as shoreline buffers –which is a huge problem.
-we asked why we have traveled so extensively by bus when the roads are in such bad condition instead of taking a train. Moe says a train is even worse- the tracks are a narrower gauge than standard, the train cars do not have suspension, and the trains never travel according to schedule. We have crossed several tracks, but never seen a train, so this makes sense. I would probably never take note of this did I not have a dear father and brother who are avid train watchers…..=)
On the plane
Looking out of the plane window there are mountains. I so enjoyed the Delta region and all its waterways but I am excited to explore the mountain region. It is the perfect trip as my two loves are water and mountains- it’s not often you get both=)
The trip is only half over and already I know it is a life-changing experience. I never thought I would travel the world and even more unlikely to third-world countries.
I think one of the real reasons I decided to come to Burma was to get away from the agenda and go somewhere where I would not only learn and expand my views of the world but to be somewhere and not care where and when we’re going next and not be the one arranging every minute detail.
I have also realized though the real reason I came was to let go of something else- I have always been wary of where my life is going and uncertainty of the future. Somehow in all this- through the acceptance of these people to pick up and rebuild their lives, and my realization of new passions and new dreams, I have a new peace in the future. The possibilities have expanded and with them, the uncertainties, but somehow it is ok. It’s a big world but it’s in God’s hands and somehow so am I.
I know that when I get home I will return to my routine, my rhythm of life. I dread it almost- the rush and responsibilities and worries. But I know that somewhere in my days of working and planning and rushing, I will think of these people, their faces etched in my mind, and their hands in mine, their voices singing, and I will pray for them.
Welcome to Shen State
As soon as we stepped off the plane, I could feel the difference in the air compared to the Delta region- this was fresh mountain air instead of the humidity of Yangon. It is very distinct and it reminds me of the Shenandoah Valley.
Although it is still vastly different, the land and vegetation here look
more like home. I see pine trees as we drive up the mountain and the underbrush is very similar to that of mountains at home. It’s funny because mixed in with pines and other deciduous trees are bamboo and banana trees. They do not only grow rice in this region but also wheat, chyote, and other varieties of rice that are better adapted to the region.
We have the coolest hotel room ever! Katie and I somehow lucked out and got a corner sunroom which has three walls of windows and a door to the large balcony. Love it! (just ask my BC roomie- I’m obsessed with windows and being able to see outside!)
I have never seen a hotel with wood floors before, though it makes a lot more sense than carpet really. The bathroom in this hotel, like the one in Pathein, does not have a shower stall in the bathroom; rather the entire bathroom is tiled and serves as a large shower stall in itself- the showerhead is simply mounted on a wall. I’m still trying to figure out whether this makes more sense than tradition or not- it saves space but you have to be careful not to get your towels wet while showering.
We had some free time after arriving so we explored the town and did some shopping. The atmosphere is a lot more relaxed tonight, perhaps because Kalaw is more tourist-y and it felt almost like a vacation. While we were walking the streets, many store-owners stopped us to tell us we were beautiful. I really appreciate how when we were shopping, if we already had one bag from another store, storeowners were quick to let us put our purchases in the bag instead of wasting another. I wish that happened more often at home! I always struggle to get cashiers to understand I want my purchases in the cloth bags I bring along and not in plastic….
We ate dinner in an upstairs restaurant, then circled and discussed our thoughts so far. It was great to fellowship, hear what had touched everyone most, and explore deeper what it’s meant to me. We ended by joining hands and sing "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love."
Kay, Katie, Aubrey, and I partied on the patio for awhile- here we are in another epic jumping picture with Weeks. Tomorrow we are hiking in the mountains and spending the night in a village. We are excited to hike after traveling on buses, planes, and boats for hours on end.
This was a great day. I loved singing "They'll know we are Christians," with everyone.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is so epic! <3