I find this am, after another delicious bowl of Mohinga, that another couple (Canadian) and their guide are also headed to Hsipaw. Not knowing prevented my western -cheapskate-carpool mindset from coming into play. So two taxi driver families will eat tonight. ;-)
The couple only go part way and then have arranged a car to drive the rest of the way. After four hours, hard wooden benches in the "ordinary" car make me wish I'd known about that option, but someone suggests I head to the "upper" class car - the seats are padded. Still the car rolls from side to side and bounces up and down, but my buns get a rest.
Ordinary class is more colorful, with some passengers filling their seats, overheads and the aisles with bales of something, hawkers with drinks, noodles - placed in plastic bags, packaged snacks and fruits ply the car, climbing over the bundles.
The reason to take the train at all is the 1901 viaduct built across Gokteik Gorge. I got some lovely photos which one day may appear.
The countryside is dry season planted with a grain, sugar cane,cabbage, strawberries, tomatoes, favas,herbs and in one place what looked like fields and fields of little round squash, not a small family plot.
Villages have bamboo mat walls with thatch roofs, not a lot of wealthy here. Farmers are still burning the fields and ash drifts through the windows from time to time.
The train hits one of those rediculous looking Chinese trucks, bending the front wheels, so we are stopped for 15' - not the hours an investigation would take elsewhere. Eight hours on the train is enough Myanmar train experience for me. I head for the shower as soon as I'm in the room. Wash hair and body and I'm almost feeling human. A few cookies and a sticky rice roll from the market do not good nutrition make, so a real meal of Shan noodle soup with veggies and chicken and a Chang beer, hit the spot. I'm revived and ready for an early night.
-On the road with Kathryn
Location:Myanmar
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