![[monumentum]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ35Jk04DOExa4SYKxFysEeLnDhRMoPecY-CUwBqjyvQX0NBLlYUljq47hmRNyt_z4DWYjMhXqC8AfRZNpgjDmoqlDuUrMT_SoJGXcGoYBZ151nCN9A2b8XBjQ126wRjU-T0K8XUzT1qR/w950-h400-no/IMGP3970%2528v02+-+cropped21%2529.jpg)
Yangon (25-May-2012)
Did totally overlook Yangon's charm. Perhaps when I do go back the next time, things wouldn't be the same as they were. There'd probably be MacDonalds & Chanel outlets there to taint its pristine culture. 3 photographs, that's all for the day. Golden Smile Guesthouse is a better one in Yangon. Extremely helpful & friendly staff, clean rooms, awesome breakfast, option of shared or private bathrooms.
The roadside stall serving simple traditional Burmese fare. Once again, the generosity. The rice was complimentary alright, & the fact that the only mutually understood words were 'Min-ga-la-ba' & 'Chezu-ba'. Probably the only issue requiring a getting used to, is the preparation of the dish. She oiled her bare hand & practically mixed the ingredients (consisting of whole lot of seasoning) with it. After which? No, there's not going to be cooking. Dish served upfront. Not hot, by the way. Nonetheless, it's a sumptuous & unique dish that regretfully I know not of its name.
Public bus in Yangon is the best way to get around for those who are not hell-bent on getting ripped off by cabbies. With the number of people who so voluntarily extend their helping hands, fret not about getting onto the wrong bus or getting down at the wrong stop - it'd hardly happen. The more than 1-hour trip between Aung Min Gala Bus Terminal (outside of town) & Sule Pagoda (city centre) is around 300kyats/person (less than US$0.50). Getting around in the city cost approximately a third of that, but the city is best explored on foot. Exasperating traffic condition aside, there are WAY too many subtleties in that city that'll be overlooked peering through the bus window.
Just be mindful to keep lots of small change on hand before taking the bus, or you'll be faced with an entire wad of 50 to 100kyat-notes in exchange for the 5000kyats you handed to the bus conductor for your 100kyat fare. You're not going to get a bus ticket - it's non-existent. The conductors probably have memory like elephants. Perhaps that's not necessary in a society where people are generally honest.
Just be mindful to keep lots of small change on hand before taking the bus, or you'll be faced with an entire wad of 50 to 100kyat-notes in exchange for the 5000kyats you handed to the bus conductor for your 100kyat fare. You're not going to get a bus ticket - it's non-existent. The conductors probably have memory like elephants. Perhaps that's not necessary in a society where people are generally honest.
