Home » Burma (Myanmar) » Burmese Daze

Full Moon Firework Balloon Festival at Taunggyi, Myanmar

Burmese Daze

Steve_t
2006-11-01 12:12:32

Displayed times (last time: )

is Tony Blair, currency is pound, would you like to come look my uncle's shop?"

Do the same in a tea shop in Myanmar and someone will also join you very quickly. Only they don't want to sell you anything. They're interested in you, and they simply want to practise their English.

On one occasion I arrived by bicycle, hot and breathless, late for my rendezvous with sunset views from Mandalay Hill. As I started to climb the steps, I was approached by four smiling young men who said they were studying English. Could they accompany me to the top? Anywhere else and part of me would have assumed they were hoping to sell me something or to act as my "guides". But I'd already been in Myanmar for three weeks. I knew better. On the way up, they asked about English football. They wanted to know where I'd been in their country, what I'd seen, what I'd enjoyed. I asked them about Mandalay, what I'd missed, what they recommended for my next visit. They were all hoping to go to university, and attended a private language school to improve their English, but often came to the hill to practise with foreigners.

They were a little surprised when I wanted to take their photo at the top of the hill, and even more so when I asked for an address and promised to send them four copies. We stood together and watched the sun sink through the clouds, filling the sky with a combination of colours only nature could get away with. One of the group gave me what looked like a business card. It was the address of their language school, and they invited me to join them for dinner the following evening. I would have loved to accept, but I had already booked my bus to Bago for the next day.

I had planned to spend a day strolling around the sights of Bago before heading to Kyaiktiyo to see the Golden Rock. But a very convincing rickshaw driver persuaded ...