ZADAN ~ Myawaddy, Burma (Myanmar)

Location: Laos ~ Burma ~ Thailand

Myawaddy

The Road ~ Around Town ~ The Market ~ The Temple

These are the nicer shops in town, they are bigger and more spacious, and cleaner, and the walls are solid. The guy with the hat and stripped shirt is out forced-tour guide, Myanmar-agent. The guy with the backpack is my friend Neville.

We decided that we needed to start our trip around town with a bite to eat, so he recommended this little shop. All the girls who worked there were extremely friendly, and giggling like crazy while they served two foreigners. We had some vegetable curry on rice, and it was one of the tastiest Burmese dishes I've ever had. Thanks girls, for a memorable meal.

This is one of the style of neighborhood we saw around town. A few different houses, like the ones you see in the back. Simple wood structure, on stilts, with thin woven mats for walls. Some one's family car is waiting for them, with plastic bags to keep the seat dry (or held together).

This spot is obviously a bit more lively, some bigger houses, people just getting home from work and relaxing and having a few laughs.

This is the typical residential strip mall. A few concrete posts, a tin roof, and whatever materials you can find (often large tarps or old wooden signs for walls).

This was one of the nicer neighborhoods, much more modern houses, some with concrete structures (like the one falling off the right of the picture), and the walls are much more solid and closed wooden slats (rather than woven mats). I guess, there's an extra price to pay here during rainy season (see why the houses are on stilts?)

Typical family car repair involves hammering broken parts back together, tying parts back together, or forcing the only rusty old screw you could find where it doesn't fit (no duct tape, it's far too expensive). Neville and I decided we'd help the locals out and take the pedal taxi's as much as possible instead of walk, help give them a bit of cash. Unfortunately one guy's make-shift repair job fell apart. We got up, and saw his chain and pedals laying on the road, and throw him a bit extra even though we'd only been on the bike about 30 seconds. One of his friends took us the rest of the way.

Even with their situation being what it is, the Burmese people seem to always be laughing and smiling, and it's hard not to get a warm-hearted welcome.

Any trip to Myawaddy has to involve a stop by the local market, so, before our 5pm deadline gets us, we'd better head over there. (next page)

Myawaddy: The Road ~ Around Town ~ The Market ~ The Temple

Location: Laos ~ Burma ~ Thailand

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