Post for March 1

Today I went on the “tour” bus to three markets in Yangon, and was finally able to buy something! (There were policemen directing traffic at major corners.) Although we went to local markets previously, they really aren't for tourists. The money of the country is kwat, and is pronounced “chat”--everyone was trying to spend all they had. But, since the markets were oriented for tourists, they took American money—known as USD. About 850 kwat = 1 USD.

One of the students was talking about how she bought a “bird” when she first went into Yangon, and felt overwhelmed at being asked to buy four. She later learned that little sparrow-like birds are sold outside (usually four for 1000 kwat) the pagodas for people to let go for good luck. This is probably like making an offering, but it seems superstitious to me.

Marla, a LLL from Idaho, went to Bagon for several days in the north. She said there are about 4000 stupas there (think “relics” inside) and many of them need to be rehabilitated. Marla thought the SAS program, if it comes here again, should send students there to help fix them up. Oh, my...so many stupas to adaptively reuse! Hey, Cathy—ask John if Preservation Chelsea wants to work on a stupa or two. I guess we don't worry about what to DO with a rehabilitated stupa...

While in Bagon, Marla saw the six and seven year old girls being paraded to become nuns for one week since school is just out. They were all dressed up as if going to the prom and rode in carts (like I did yesterday). At the same time, they get their ears pierced, so it's called “the ceremony of the ear piercing”. LJ & SK would already have their ears pierced by now! According to Marla, this process costs a lot of money, so the town has a fund raiser for those would can't afford all the bling. Marla also thought the girls looked terrified!

During a lunch discussion, I learned that the country airline does not require you to pour out your water before boarding. Nor does it have seat assignments, and the ground crew waves to the plane as it takes off. I told you there are friendly here.

We've left port, and there was a “country reflection” tonight at 7 pm, I mean—19:00. It was interesting to hear what the students think. Many of them go out in small, self-organizing groups and with opportunities for authentic adventures. (Oh, to be 50 years younger!) The general consensus was that those people with whom they talked were bright, curious, and think Americans are very lucky. Some talked to children who have learned languages in order sell things outside the pagodas to tourists, and they have never been to school.

There is electricity in only one quarter of the country, and some students think that tours organized by Semester at Sea (SAS) go to only places that the government wants others to see. I think it's a matter of SAS being able to provide a certain level of comfort for students and travelers. Whatever, I believe the most powerful kind of contact is person to person, and some students are having that kind of connection.

The Arch had a great connecction when he stepped off the ship and went to visit Aung San Suu Kyi (remember her?). He boarded the ship right after me, and I noticed he had a wrapped gift in his hands with his name on it.

My reflection is that if the Buddhists made it good thing to pick up plastic bags and take them to the Pagoda to earn merits that would improve karma, the country would be a lot tidier. I don't know if any monk could make that happen, because Buddha didn't say anything about litter. BB—Could you research if it might be in the teachings?

Tomorrow will be an “A” day, since that's the way we tell time here!