Memories of Myanmar
Right now, every news bulletin I watch prompts a memory of the wonderful journey we made in Myanmar.
As news began to emerge, Mandalay was the place most mentioned. I guess it’s a name many might recognise and certainly, one that left a lasting impression on us.
Yesterday, it was the Sagaing Hills that were in the news. My ears pricked up when I heard the name, remembering seeing them from the first time from our riverboat moored on the Ayerwady. We spent the day visiting temples and a nunnery, where we met Mary, who told us her story.
Living a life of quiet contemplation in simple surroundings. Bothering no-one. I wonder if - hope that - she is ok, wherever she may be.
This morning, it was Inle Lake that was in the news, because the Austrian charity SONNE had been allowed rare access to film in the area, reporting that two villages had been destroyed and many of the stilt homes collapsed.
I thought of the two youngsters playing in the boat beneath the houses and found their picture this morning.
Because, really, it’s the people who make these journeys so special. Like Myint and Zaw, who welcomed us into their home to cook and share lunch with them.
The sad thing is, it’s not the first time an earthquake has struck.
How fortunate we were to experience a journey Myanmar during one of the short intervals in its long history when it was safe for us to travel there. There’s no doubt that the country and its beautiful people left a deep and lasting impression on us both and altogether heartbreaking to imagine what they have been through since then.
