January 25th, 2013
Yangon, Myanmar
Song of the Day: Fever by Michael Buble
Mood: Exhausted (I've been sick in bed for 31 of the last 37 hours)
Daily Walk around Inya
Lake
During the week, the Professor, Labyrinth Lady, and I like
to take a daily walk around part of Inya Lake. It's a great way to get
exercise, experience local culture, and have quality time together.
Frogger
First, we play Frogger. (For reference, http://danventuring.blogspot.com/2013/01/traffic.html).
We often leave around 5pm and can wait for several minutes at each part of the
crossing due to evening traffic.
Beauty
There are so many beautiful and interesting
sights to see:
Lovers' Lane
Along the way, there are many two-person benches where couples come to
look at the lake and watch the sunset. I was asked to speak to an English class at a local university and when I asked the students where they would go on a date, they all
said, "Inya Lake!"
Something that is common in Asia, but is extremely rare in
America is the sun umbrella, which is lighter than a rain umbrella and is only carried by women or loving boyfriends.
Aung San Suu Kyi
In the distance is where Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu
Kyi lived in house arrest for 15 years. Recent reforms have led to her release, which has led in part to the lifting of sanctions and high profile visits such as then-Secretary of State Clinton.
In November 2012, President Obama visited and met with her,
which led to street vendors marketing new T-shirts:
Animals
I have always loved animals and there is no shortage on the walk.
People leave bird food by the side of the road in order to
earn good karma. This crow tried to carry off the whole container, but only managed
to drag it a few feet.
Requisite puppy break!
Businesses
There are a few businesses along the way.
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| I love names that allude to literary works |
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| You know what you'll get if you go here |
Some businesses are portable:
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| And yes, they do have a driving range where golfers shoot into the water |
People along the way
One of my favorite things is seeing all the different people.
Some of the people we've grown to know like the Exuberant Gardener. Even though she speaks no English and we speak no
Burmese, the Labyrinth Lady and her have developed a deep connection. (To read about
it, http://jillgeoffrion.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/connection-what-does-it-take/)
Most people we don't know:
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| Building an auto dealership |
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| Playing "soccer volleyball" after a hard day's work |
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| Praying to the setting sun |
