Yangon

Feb 8, 2013
I don't remember now why I thought I should spend four days here. I spent day one getting a visa for Lao and trying to find a clean affordable hotel, and all morning today too. Either the price had jumped from Lonely Planets $20-30 to$80-100 +or all were full. I do have a reservation and the people are very sweet and helpful but the place really sucks. I thought I'd hit bottom in Mandalay at Sabai Phyu which was a bit grimy, but the paint wasn't peeling and the walls weren't moldy in the shower and I had hot water and wifi even skyped with friends. Yoma 2 is in a residential area without even a local shop to buy water, miles from anything and taxis are pricey too.
So I'm holding up in the Trader hotel and for the price ($3US only) of a Sprite-with free peanuts:-)! I get to use the wifi -it may be the only place in town to have it. AND a lovely gentleman sat down and has been playing piano for the last hour!! So although it depresses me to think about where I'm staying, to the point I'm not even into sightseeing, this too shall pass. Tomorrow I will be meeting with group of young women from a group called Girl Determined, which Dining For Women has supported in the past.
I did ride the circle train yesterday and today as well to get downtown. Its crowded with hawkers hopping on and off selling CDs, Ice cream (carried in styrofoam boxes), frozen fruit pops, water, fried snacks, sleeping kids and young men and women. Its hot and real and raw.
While here at Trader people are cutting business deals, writing malaria abatement proposals, meeting their guides, or like me doing screen time..... A more surreal environment.


-On the road with Kathryn