Team [TIM]

Sunday, April 29, 2007

hi cell,

i am back from myanmar! fortunately my immune system fought well and i was well for that 5 days with temperatures averaging at 38 degrees. ironically, the next day after i came back to spore (i.e. today) i had food poisoning... recovering though i guess/ hope.

as this is very much a working trip, dont have much pictures for you but it was indeed an eye-opener in the cultural and goverment setup of myanmar. i would say many of us are indeed very fortunate here in singapore, and had much more opportunities, less restrictions to do what we want to do.

some interesting findings include:-
= most people wear sarongs (both men & women)
= costs US$1500 to own a sim card (excl mobile phone, calling chgs)
= limited imported cars; all mainly recycled & non-aircon
= the buses are like lorries which ferried many
= myanmar uses two currencies; US and kyats (they've 2 exchange rates - official vs black mkt)
= there are 3 seasons (dry & hot, wet & hot, dry & less hot - unfortunately we went in the hottest season
= yahoo, hotmail & gmail are prohibited
= women use grinded tree bark on their faces as a form or sunscreen/ makeup (see below)
= many speak English, and they are known to be hardworking people
= school fees costs US$1/ month in one of the unis
= blackouts are a way of life
= many children run along roads with a baby in hand to ask for money
= precious stones/ gems are one of the natural resources (incl sapphire, jade, emerald, etc)

part of the sightseeing bit we went to this well known Shwedagon pagoda, the icon in Yangon (former capital), and to the Bogyoke market where many artists sell their life-like paintings (e.g. below).

on a last note, this trips highlights the contrast of lifestyles in singapore vs myanmar...which appears stark to me. and i hope many of us (including myself) dont have to lose it to appreciate our country (govt setup, infrastructure, etc)

.: sign-off :.
e.reen

reflected @ 6:24 PM

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