20 Jan 10

Our Epic

Four goofy girls and a free evening the other night- equals us keeping the entire row of hotel rooms awake with giggling in the writing of this epic hit- a rap encompassing a brief overview of our incredible trip. We performed this on our last morning in Burma before embarking on the bus ride, plane flight, then final departure that would eventually take us home, and by the end of our performance, the hotel courtyard was filled with Burmese bystanders who I’m sure did not understand our narration, but were nevertheless amused at the spectacle of Kay, Katie, Aubrey, and I “gettin’ it down.” Check out our debut performance! lyrics are below=)
....this is our fabulous trip in a nutshell

Startin’ out our journey at the break of day,
Funsucker in the front tryin’ to get his way,
Long flight on the plane, we all got jet lag,
Steppin’ out in Burma, Tracy doesn’t have her bag.

Wakin’ up in the mornin’ to the crow of a bird,
All gather in the church, David’s preachin’ the Word.
Walkin’ on the plank to board our own boat,
Headin’ to a village and the party’s afloat.

*Hey sista, what’s that you say?*
WE’RE ON A BOAT!
WE’RE ON A BOAT!
WE’RE ON A BURMESE BOAT!

Feelin’ really white in this faraway land,
But they say we’re beautiful and shakin’ our hand.
Sayin’ “mingalaba,” and a warm happy mood,
Take off your shoes and eat a lotta food.

Tissue in hand, goin’ out to take a squat,
Don’t know how to do it, but it’s all we got.
Eight hours on the bus, Moe says “let’s roll,”
On the back of the bus, we’re singin’ out our soul

*to the right, to the right, there’s a water buffalo,
to the left, to the left, there’s a hole in the road,
now look, now look, now bump, now bump,
we’re on the road again, we’re on the road again.*

on the road again…..
*oh no no no no….*

WE’RE ON A BUS!
WE’RE ON A BUS!
WE’RE ON A BURMESE BUS!

Learnin’ a lot about how people live,
Inspired by their stories and all we have to give,
Love instead of hate, smile instead of frown,
Peace instead of fighting turns the world upside down!

Shakin’ hands with the children, our hearts are filled with joy,
Sharing in song with every girl and boy,
Walkin’ round the carny, Sinapore’s the lucky pick,
Checkin’ out the karaoke, fly dance moves did the trick.

Love clinic weaving center, visiting the school,
Checkin’ out the rice paddies, that was kinda cool.
Experienced the Delta, there was a lot to see,
Headin’ for the hills, on a plane we will be.

*where??? Down in my heart!*
-nooooooo

WE’RE ON A PLANE!
WE’RE ON A PLANE!
WE’RE ON A BURMESE PLANE!

Gentle slope, lentil slope, now it’s getting steep,
Now we’re in the village, and we get to sleep.
David’s got a new toy, it was made in China,
Peit demonstrated it doesn’t work so fine-a

*ka-chic, ka-chic, ka-CHINA!*

Lookin’ back on out trip, we know we won’t forget,
How our lives were changed by the people we met.
Back to our homes and the places we know,
Sharing these stories wherever we go.
Sing:
“near, far, wherever you are, I believe that my heart will go on…..”

A land of opportunity & a sense of duty

Being in Burma has given me both an appreciation towards certain aspects of American culture and a disgust toward others. I believe I have already presented more of the negatives, so I take a moment to appreciate others~

I walk through Yangon and I notice that the advertisements all feature Asian models. It strikes me they are all the same and I marvel that walking through an American shopping mall, I would see advertisements featuring models of different ethnicities. I know there are many arguments and problems in racial equality in America today, but the simple fact that we live together in relative harmony within the same country is something I notice and appreciate a little more.

I also appreciate the opportunities I have as an American woman. I look at the women here and their personalities are timid, unsure of themselves when they speak to you. I think of the American women I know, their confidence and sureness with which they carry themselves. I realize I have had so many opportunities in my life that these women do not have- for education, for leadership, and for many venues to pursue my interests, my dreams, and my faith. I may often feel contempt and displeasure toward the American culture, but regardless of its problems, it still gives me many freedoms and opportunities for which I am thankful. I pray I can use these opportunities to help others.

Moe told us on the bus from Nyaung-Schwe to the Heho airport that while we were in Bogalay (first day in the Delta), military officials asked for an hour-by-hour itinerary of our trip into the Delta. Because our itinerary did not abide by a rigid schedule (I mean, it was a David Radcliff trip, for one thing;-), our other tour guide, who stayed behind, was evidently questioned pretty thoroughly. Moe reports that our less-detailed-than-desired itinerary was supplemented by a pack of cigarettes and a bag of rice, which was enough to satisfy the officials. They say that this paves the way for future Learning Tours to be allowed clearance to the area, but I think it reflects the nature of the Burmese government- obviously bribery and corruption is an accepted practice as it was in this case.

After arriving back in Yangon, we had a few hours before departing to Singapore to visit the post office, grab lunch, and explore the Yangon marketplace. Our marketplace experience was not a highlight, but it was good to see the difference between small-village culture and city life. We ate lunch in a restaurant, most of us choosing rice out of last-Burmese-meal nostalgia. We did however, all order ice cream afterward as most of us were Brethren folk who had gone ice cream-less for over a week=)