We wish everybody a happy, wonderful, and healthy 2012!
It is later than I expected (I do get 'lost in time' now that we have internet back home). More postings tomorrow or in 2012....
Friday 30 December 2011
Wednesday 28 December 2011
In the last post I mentioned tourists... and we see a fair few at the moment. That is not what I wanted to mention though.
Most people don't know much about Burma (Myanmar). They have heard about the country (and seldom in a positive light) but not many people know where it is exactly and what it is like here. This is not Thailand (even though that is a neighbour). What surprises me every year, and this year is no exception, how ill-prepared some tourists are.
First of all, quite a few people think since this is not on the general tourist trail in SE-Asia, it is a dirt cheap country to visit. This country is much more expensive in general than e.g. Thailand. There is not a lot on offer accommodation wise, there are no 'tourist buses' that travel between favourite destinations, and food is cheap but only if you know where to look. So, regularly, people arrive here with a few dollars in their pocket thinking this is just an undiscovered, and therefore cheaper, version of Thailand. Which brings me to the second thing that people should know about this destination.. THERE ARE NO ATM's! (actually since a few weeks there are ATM's they are just no use to anyone yet). No places to cash in traveller's cheques and very very few places where you can pay with a credit card. And Western Union has no auxiliary here. And every year people haven't done their homework and arrive here only to find that they have a problem.
Money is just the biggest problem if people haven't researched this country, but I've met people thinking that the beaches here were just like Thai beaches (with all the nightlife). Well.... not exactly. The beaches are nice but apart from swimming and sunbathing there isn't much to do. Some guys think that there are girlie bars here on every corner too... Mmm, no. There is a little bit of nighlife going on in the bars of the big hotels but that is about all. Last year we met some very disappointed travellers. they had prepared themselves for some serious clubbing only to find that there was nothing going...
You can't hire a car here as a tourist, nor motor bikes, scooters, etc.. Bicycles, yes. In Bagan and Mandalay especially. Mobile phones don't work here but it is no problem bringing them into the country. And nowadays you CAN buy a prepaid card. You just can't top it up. Internet works in the main destinations, though sometimes at a snail's pace, and I've carried in (and out) several cameras and a laptop on many occasions. That is fine. No worries there.
This whole pots was triggered by a comment on a travel forum. Not that posting this will help much but at least I've mentioned it (again).
Most people don't know much about Burma (Myanmar). They have heard about the country (and seldom in a positive light) but not many people know where it is exactly and what it is like here. This is not Thailand (even though that is a neighbour). What surprises me every year, and this year is no exception, how ill-prepared some tourists are.
First of all, quite a few people think since this is not on the general tourist trail in SE-Asia, it is a dirt cheap country to visit. This country is much more expensive in general than e.g. Thailand. There is not a lot on offer accommodation wise, there are no 'tourist buses' that travel between favourite destinations, and food is cheap but only if you know where to look. So, regularly, people arrive here with a few dollars in their pocket thinking this is just an undiscovered, and therefore cheaper, version of Thailand. Which brings me to the second thing that people should know about this destination.. THERE ARE NO ATM's! (actually since a few weeks there are ATM's they are just no use to anyone yet). No places to cash in traveller's cheques and very very few places where you can pay with a credit card. And Western Union has no auxiliary here. And every year people haven't done their homework and arrive here only to find that they have a problem.
Money is just the biggest problem if people haven't researched this country, but I've met people thinking that the beaches here were just like Thai beaches (with all the nightlife). Well.... not exactly. The beaches are nice but apart from swimming and sunbathing there isn't much to do. Some guys think that there are girlie bars here on every corner too... Mmm, no. There is a little bit of nighlife going on in the bars of the big hotels but that is about all. Last year we met some very disappointed travellers. they had prepared themselves for some serious clubbing only to find that there was nothing going...
You can't hire a car here as a tourist, nor motor bikes, scooters, etc.. Bicycles, yes. In Bagan and Mandalay especially. Mobile phones don't work here but it is no problem bringing them into the country. And nowadays you CAN buy a prepaid card. You just can't top it up. Internet works in the main destinations, though sometimes at a snail's pace, and I've carried in (and out) several cameras and a laptop on many occasions. That is fine. No worries there.
This whole pots was triggered by a comment on a travel forum. Not that posting this will help much but at least I've mentioned it (again).
Tuesday 27 December 2011
An update on email, weather, electricity, and more
So, yes, the internet connection works. I can't say it works fine though. Yesterday i could't get a decent enough connection to actually view a single web page. Today I've already been disconnected 3 times in the past hour. But... I've just read my email at home, reviewed the BBC news pages and am typing this in the hope I can update my blog again....
It is late December and this is usually the only time of the year that I like here in Myanmar. It is WINTER (at least, that is what THEY call it). Normally, I would wear a scarf in the morning since it can be slightly cool but this year that hasn't been necessary yet. It is supposed to be my 'yes-I-can-make-it-through-the-rest-of-the-year' - cooling down period but temperatures are still 30+ degrees Celsius in the afternoon... What kind of WINTER is that???? I hope January will bring the annual relief from the heat otherwise I'll definitely feel cheated...
Electricity.... Prices will go up 50% in January. The promise is that electricity supply will improve. I do hope so. I don't mind the price hike so much if service will indeed get better. It is rather difficult to bake bread or cookies when there is a power outage in the middle of your baking process (very frustrating I can tell you).
For the rest... not too much. There are definitely more tourists in Yangon. But even now we comment on any westerner we see, especially when the seeing has been done away from the usual sites. We saw 4 young, western guys the other day way out of the tourist hotspots and we think they were expat kids (though not 100% sure). That really gave us conversation for the next 5 minutes. So, even though it is obvious that there are more people visiting this country, it isn't exactly overrun yet....
It is late December and this is usually the only time of the year that I like here in Myanmar. It is WINTER (at least, that is what THEY call it). Normally, I would wear a scarf in the morning since it can be slightly cool but this year that hasn't been necessary yet. It is supposed to be my 'yes-I-can-make-it-through-the-rest-of-the-year' - cooling down period but temperatures are still 30+ degrees Celsius in the afternoon... What kind of WINTER is that???? I hope January will bring the annual relief from the heat otherwise I'll definitely feel cheated...
Electricity.... Prices will go up 50% in January. The promise is that electricity supply will improve. I do hope so. I don't mind the price hike so much if service will indeed get better. It is rather difficult to bake bread or cookies when there is a power outage in the middle of your baking process (very frustrating I can tell you).
For the rest... not too much. There are definitely more tourists in Yangon. But even now we comment on any westerner we see, especially when the seeing has been done away from the usual sites. We saw 4 young, western guys the other day way out of the tourist hotspots and we think they were expat kids (though not 100% sure). That really gave us conversation for the next 5 minutes. So, even though it is obvious that there are more people visiting this country, it isn't exactly overrun yet....
Saturday 24 December 2011
YES YES YES!!!!!
We have internet at home. I'm in heaven..... Well, sort of. It is a dial-up connection of a bandwidth, and therefore speed, of next to nothing. I don't think I've had a normal connection that was this slow since the early 90's.... Admittedly, internet is often slow in this country but seriously, the way the pace is now, it is not a lot of action for my 30 hours prepaid..... Then again, in theory I can internet whenever I want, keep this blog better updated, research things like baby food, and in general feel like I'm connected to the rest of the world....
But first... the real test.: Can I get this post out there? Too often I've been frustrated when I typed an update only to find I couldn't get it on the blog......
But first... the real test.: Can I get this post out there? Too often I've been frustrated when I typed an update only to find I couldn't get it on the blog......
Christmas
As usual on Saturday mornings, we're in Ocean (a shopping 'mall') tending to the weekly household restocking and of course, checking emails and such (no internet at home). For the past weeks, we've been hearing Christmas music here around the clock. Everything is decorated for Christmas and we can buy more and more Christmas things from plastic trees and decoration to Santa hats. In this country Christmas was only celebrated by the Christians here but nowadays the 'middle class' wants to be considered western and therefor spends a lot on Christmas things. And it is promoted massively by retail.
Still, it doesn't feel like Christmas. At least, to me. Something is missing and I was wondering what it was. In the Netherlands, many people are no longer practicing Christians but the spirit of Christmas and the feeling that goes with it is still there. It still has a place in our culture. It is a time to spend with family and friends. Here it is a way to show how western you are and a way to make money for retail (like it is everywhere of course). What is missing is the Christmas spirit. And no amount of Christmas music and Christmas stuff to buy is going to make up for that.....
Talking about Christmas spirit. Just read on the BBC website about the riots that were in the US over sneakers. Ok, Air Jordans but still. Hardly the spirit of Christmas when people are pushing, shoving, punching, and even robbing others over a pair of shoes.....!
Still, it doesn't feel like Christmas. At least, to me. Something is missing and I was wondering what it was. In the Netherlands, many people are no longer practicing Christians but the spirit of Christmas and the feeling that goes with it is still there. It still has a place in our culture. It is a time to spend with family and friends. Here it is a way to show how western you are and a way to make money for retail (like it is everywhere of course). What is missing is the Christmas spirit. And no amount of Christmas music and Christmas stuff to buy is going to make up for that.....
Talking about Christmas spirit. Just read on the BBC website about the riots that were in the US over sneakers. Ok, Air Jordans but still. Hardly the spirit of Christmas when people are pushing, shoving, punching, and even robbing others over a pair of shoes.....!
Wednesday 21 December 2011
Sinterklaas
A picture or two of how we celebrate Sinterklaas in Yangon.
Here Sinterklaas arrives by boat (as he always does).... but the boat in Yangon is a tad smaller than the one he arrives with in The Netherlands.
And of course, the kids meet with Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters)
Here Sinterklaas arrives by boat (as he always does).... but the boat in Yangon is a tad smaller than the one he arrives with in The Netherlands.
And of course, the kids meet with Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters)
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Taxi drivers
More and more tourists are seen here every day. We just had our breakfast in the teashop annex restaurant across from the airport and at one time there were 5! tour buses lined up (blocking the way for everybody by the look of it). The taxi rivers now think that it is open season to scam and overcharge for the next 2 months coming.
Officially the taxis now have to use their taxi meters since the end of August. In the papers it was presented like this time the government meant business. The taxis had 1 month to repair their (often broken) meters form the last time the taxi meter scheme was supposed to start operating (over 2 years ago). But, unlike last time, the drivers don't even have the meter on. So apparently there is no control what so ever.
Anyways, my frustration stems as usual from a taxi driver. First he wanted to charge us way too much. But eventually he settled for a reasonable price. We were heading to Ocean supermarket/shopping centre just down the road. The guy had no clue what he was doing and decided to drop us off across a very busy road instead of where we wanted to be. Then he wanted to make some sort of badly executed U-turn which he didn't manage and then let us out near the shopping centre on the correct side of the road but away from the entrance. He blocked the exit of the parking garage and the driver of a car that came out of there started to shout at him to move his vehicle. 'Our' driver started to shout back and even became slightly aggressive...
I know there are good taxi drivers out there and even good ones in Yangon but here, everybody can become a taxi driver whether they can drive or not. They do not need to have any skills or even knowledge about the city. They only need to be able to make enough money to pay the owner of the taxi car (and often taxi license) 15,000 kyats ($20)per day for rent. We do get some seriously bad drivers, drivers who have no cue to even big places like the place we wanted to go to today, and who want to charge you double just because you're a westerner...
Unfortunately owning a car costs a fortune here so that is not an option... I read the other day that 3 years ago there were a little over 10,000 taxis in Yangon. Now there are over 80,000. You would think that competition would have improved prices and service....
Friday 2 December 2011
Weekend
And what a weekend it'll be.
Tomorrow there is a Maths competition. Since 5 kids from my class take part, I need to be there in the (early) morning. But it is a good experience for them and I'm sure several of them will do well.
After that I hope we have time (and I still have energy) to go to the free Jazz festival in the afternoon. Bringing the kids along of course. It would be very good for them and I know I'm so going to enjoy it once we're there. But whether we'll get there? About that I'm not so sure yet.
And then, the big event this weekend.... Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) will arrive here in Yangon! And he even arrives by boat. There are quite a number of Dutch here and together with partners and kids (if any) we'll be around 50 people. It will be good fun I'm sure. And Xenne can't stop talking about Sinterklaas.
Ok, Now 'Sinterklaas' has to go shopping...
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Changes
A lot has been going on here in Myanmar. Tomorrow, Hillary Clinton will arrive and even here in School someone mentioned it. She's another high-profile person in a line-up of well-known/important people to visit the country.
Another, smaller, change but with, for us, more direct potential is that the first ATM's have been installed in Yangon. Ok, you can't do much with them yet except withdraw money from an account with the particular bank that has that ATM (the few private banks are all installing ATMs). But the planning is that somewhere next year the ATM's give access to any bank account (with a Myanmar bank). Hopefully the service will be extended to a 'normal' ATM service so tourists don't have to worry about bringing enough dollars anymore. And i'd love to be able to deposit my money in a bank account and be able to withdraw when necessary. Even better, pay-on-the-go. Every weekend we go shopping and every weekend we stand at the counter wondering whether we have enough kyats. Even though you have a whole packet of them in your purse.
We can also access youtube now which is wonderful. Not that the internet connection is usually fast enough for it to be of any real use but hey, sometimes....
And pictures of a certain lady are now seen even on the front page of the newspaper. And her face is plastered all over town since posters of her are now being sold openly next to posters of her father.
They may be small changes but changes none the less.
Another, smaller, change but with, for us, more direct potential is that the first ATM's have been installed in Yangon. Ok, you can't do much with them yet except withdraw money from an account with the particular bank that has that ATM (the few private banks are all installing ATMs). But the planning is that somewhere next year the ATM's give access to any bank account (with a Myanmar bank). Hopefully the service will be extended to a 'normal' ATM service so tourists don't have to worry about bringing enough dollars anymore. And i'd love to be able to deposit my money in a bank account and be able to withdraw when necessary. Even better, pay-on-the-go. Every weekend we go shopping and every weekend we stand at the counter wondering whether we have enough kyats. Even though you have a whole packet of them in your purse.
We can also access youtube now which is wonderful. Not that the internet connection is usually fast enough for it to be of any real use but hey, sometimes....
And pictures of a certain lady are now seen even on the front page of the newspaper. And her face is plastered all over town since posters of her are now being sold openly next to posters of her father.
They may be small changes but changes none the less.
Monday 21 November 2011
November 19
Today we went on a day trip to Bago. We went with several teachers from school and it was really really nice to go and do something like that again. It has been a while since we did (day)trips. Last year of course a trip to Bagan but that was almost a year ago.
While we were driving into the countryside I was thinking to myself how I love Myanmar outside of Yangon. Yangon has never been my favourite place in Burma and I was reminded of that again today. Of course, it is nice to be able to get loads of western food stuff here 9thanks to the City Mart supermarket chain) but I also realised that I get annoyed at not having things like power just because I expect a city like Yangon to have a regular power supply (or other things that you expect to have). I wouldn't mind things missing so much if it was normal not to have them (I remember that from my travel time).
Bago is still very nice. I don't like the main street so much but they have some beautiful houses around there. We didn't go into Shwethatalyaung Pagoda since we were asked to pay $10 each (the non-Myanmar). Ok, it would give us entrance to a few other sites but we weren't going to visit many places anyway. While arriving at the Paya though,I had that strange feeling you sometimes have of recollecting an experience. I remembered how I loved visiting new places when I was still traveling by myself. The freedom of lingering as long as you wanted, exploring wherever you wanted to go, not having to pay attention to anyone. I miss it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to trade my time now for anything but I think that as soon as the kids are older, backpacking will be back on our travel calender.
Our organiser was bend on drinking palm juice. That's were we were heading after lunch. With 2 preschoolers and 2 preteens included in the party, sitting on a mat while some people drink palm juice (which is slightly alcoholic) is not something that you can do for too long. So we left a group behind and went to visit the Snake Pagoda. I hadn't been there for a while. Last I heard the snake was dead. The snake turned out to be alive after all. Not extremely active but our science teacher says it is hugely overfed and under exercised. It is enormous though. While I was inside the enclosure with the kids (all 5 of them) the snake moved its head and 'tasted' the air. Xenne wasn't at all afraid of it but I was the more afraid for him. Not that it would harm him I'm sure (they told me years ago that the snake eats 12 chickens a week...which seems more than enough), but it is a big snake (about 5 meters).
The monastery looks a whole lot different from the last time I was there (which must have been somewhere in 2007). Then, the monastery looked almost forgotten. Now there was a huge entrance gate, a big open space to park the bus, a covered area on the side with 2 big cars which obviously belonged to the monastery. It felt strange.
Our little one was so easy during the trip. Not yet four months and she cried not even once. The other two had a great time. It helped that both had a playmate of around the same age. It is something we should do more often.
While we were driving into the countryside I was thinking to myself how I love Myanmar outside of Yangon. Yangon has never been my favourite place in Burma and I was reminded of that again today. Of course, it is nice to be able to get loads of western food stuff here 9thanks to the City Mart supermarket chain) but I also realised that I get annoyed at not having things like power just because I expect a city like Yangon to have a regular power supply (or other things that you expect to have). I wouldn't mind things missing so much if it was normal not to have them (I remember that from my travel time).
Bago is still very nice. I don't like the main street so much but they have some beautiful houses around there. We didn't go into Shwethatalyaung Pagoda since we were asked to pay $10 each (the non-Myanmar). Ok, it would give us entrance to a few other sites but we weren't going to visit many places anyway. While arriving at the Paya though,I had that strange feeling you sometimes have of recollecting an experience. I remembered how I loved visiting new places when I was still traveling by myself. The freedom of lingering as long as you wanted, exploring wherever you wanted to go, not having to pay attention to anyone. I miss it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to trade my time now for anything but I think that as soon as the kids are older, backpacking will be back on our travel calender.
Our organiser was bend on drinking palm juice. That's were we were heading after lunch. With 2 preschoolers and 2 preteens included in the party, sitting on a mat while some people drink palm juice (which is slightly alcoholic) is not something that you can do for too long. So we left a group behind and went to visit the Snake Pagoda. I hadn't been there for a while. Last I heard the snake was dead. The snake turned out to be alive after all. Not extremely active but our science teacher says it is hugely overfed and under exercised. It is enormous though. While I was inside the enclosure with the kids (all 5 of them) the snake moved its head and 'tasted' the air. Xenne wasn't at all afraid of it but I was the more afraid for him. Not that it would harm him I'm sure (they told me years ago that the snake eats 12 chickens a week...which seems more than enough), but it is a big snake (about 5 meters).
The monastery looks a whole lot different from the last time I was there (which must have been somewhere in 2007). Then, the monastery looked almost forgotten. Now there was a huge entrance gate, a big open space to park the bus, a covered area on the side with 2 big cars which obviously belonged to the monastery. It felt strange.
Our little one was so easy during the trip. Not yet four months and she cried not even once. The other two had a great time. It helped that both had a playmate of around the same age. It is something we should do more often.
Friday 4 November 2011
Electricity (or the lack of...)
X was watching TV the other day and the Power Puff Girls were on. Mama, he said, look the Power Out Girls! Of course I had to laugh.... But he has a point. The past two years the electricity was pretty goo din our neighbourhood. We had our share of the power outages but they usually occurred in daytime. Lately, we have many outages and at all times. In the evening they are still usually not more than half an hour but on Tuesday the power went off at 4:30 in the afternoon and was still not on when I left for work the next day.
Now I'm only hoping that we won't get the same situation as a few years ago. We went on a power supply schedule that started in early November and lasted till early June. We were living in a condo building at the time and eventually we got a separate cable supplying the elevator. We had no power from 5 am till between 5-6 pm for two days and then the third day we got electricity at around 11 am till 5 pm. Then we sat in the dark until 11 pm when the power would come back on. We started that time with an inverter so we still had lights and could use the TV but that thing only lasted for 2 months...
Now we have a small generator outside. It makes one hell of a noise but fans and light work so I'm pretty happy. Though, of course, you can't let it run the whole night... I keep my fingers crossed that it won't get any worse.
Now I'm only hoping that we won't get the same situation as a few years ago. We went on a power supply schedule that started in early November and lasted till early June. We were living in a condo building at the time and eventually we got a separate cable supplying the elevator. We had no power from 5 am till between 5-6 pm for two days and then the third day we got electricity at around 11 am till 5 pm. Then we sat in the dark until 11 pm when the power would come back on. We started that time with an inverter so we still had lights and could use the TV but that thing only lasted for 2 months...
Now we have a small generator outside. It makes one hell of a noise but fans and light work so I'm pretty happy. Though, of course, you can't let it run the whole night... I keep my fingers crossed that it won't get any worse.
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Nice resolotions but...
it is quite obvious that I have other priorities at the moment....
Luckily in Yangon we don't have any of the problems with flooding that are now happening in Bangkok. Though there are some parts of Burma where there are problems. There was a flash flood in Pakkoku (across the Ayeryawaddy from Bagan) apparently which was mentioned in the newspapers and quite a few people died. Nobody seems to know why the river flooded so fast.
And there are some problems in other parts of the country. But am not exactly sure where.
But as said before, Yangon is fine. We still have rain every so many days but it doesn't cause any trouble. Hopefully things will get better soon in all the areas, both in Burma and elsewhere, where floods are now.
Luckily in Yangon we don't have any of the problems with flooding that are now happening in Bangkok. Though there are some parts of Burma where there are problems. There was a flash flood in Pakkoku (across the Ayeryawaddy from Bagan) apparently which was mentioned in the newspapers and quite a few people died. Nobody seems to know why the river flooded so fast.
And there are some problems in other parts of the country. But am not exactly sure where.
But as said before, Yangon is fine. We still have rain every so many days but it doesn't cause any trouble. Hopefully things will get better soon in all the areas, both in Burma and elsewhere, where floods are now.
Thursday 6 October 2011
And the other part that I wanted to post the other day...
I'd planned to write a nice observation on something or another tonight but am too tired. Of course we have the normal family things going on. Thandar went over to a friend's house on Saturday. That was a new experience for all of us. She did miss home a little I think since she called 3 times for various reasons. Xenne and I made apple-cinnamon muffins from a banana-nut recipe. I sometimes have to improvise a bit here. This time Kyaw Kyaw was supposed to bring bananans but had too much shopping stuff already. It was a very good experiment and there are 2 only muffins left. I also made some oat- and wholemeal buns. That was also something I was asked to do again. And true, they taste great. Baking bread and cookies is something I do more and more. Especially since everybody here likes it when I do it. You can get good quality bread here prices start between 4 and $4. Not to mention that you have to take a taxi either to one of the big hotels or to Sharkey's and you enjoy bread for about $8. That is a bit much I think. Besides, This way I can bake whatever I want. And those oat-whole meal buns are definitely not to be had elsewhere.
Then today we did our shopping, I corrected a Maths test and some homework. For dinner I made an impromptu 'pesto' -sauce to top the pizza. That took em a little longer than I expected but the result was great. KK and Thandar especially were almost fighting over the last bits.
When Thandar had her first taste of western food (pasta) she said she didn't like it. Now, she asks me every other day when I'll be cooking and baking next.... It seems I'm doing something right in the kitchen...
Then today we did our shopping, I corrected a Maths test and some homework. For dinner I made an impromptu 'pesto' -sauce to top the pizza. That took em a little longer than I expected but the result was great. KK and Thandar especially were almost fighting over the last bits.
When Thandar had her first taste of western food (pasta) she said she didn't like it. Now, she asks me every other day when I'll be cooking and baking next.... It seems I'm doing something right in the kitchen...
Finally I got my stuff together (I hope)
This is what I wrote the 29th of September....
It is funny. For the better part of a year I haven't written anything on this blog. It seemed to be so pointless with me only being able to update the blog when I was on a visa run to Thailand. Now my mind is reeling with the possibilities and of course, having found out the site is no longer blocked, I can't resist writting a little tonight (Tuesday). This is by no means a guarantee that the blog will be kept up in future. I have to admit that an family extension from one child to three children makes time even more of a precious commodity but now at least when I do write something, I have the possibility of posting it as well......
Now, with the whole world at my fingertips (well, Yangon at least) what shall I write about? I think I'll spend a good night's sleep on that. Provided Eaindra will let me. So far she's been the easiest baby ever. 2 months old and sleeps an easy 6 hours a night. Admittedly, not always the most convenient hours for me but even that seems to be changing. The last 2 nights she wanted to be fed at around midnight. She woke again at 3 and 5:30 two nights ago. Last night (or better said: this morning) she came at 6 am. I hope she will continue to do so. Then again,.the times Eaindra lets me sleep well, Xenne wakes me up...
It is funny. For the better part of a year I haven't written anything on this blog. It seemed to be so pointless with me only being able to update the blog when I was on a visa run to Thailand. Now my mind is reeling with the possibilities and of course, having found out the site is no longer blocked, I can't resist writting a little tonight (Tuesday). This is by no means a guarantee that the blog will be kept up in future. I have to admit that an family extension from one child to three children makes time even more of a precious commodity but now at least when I do write something, I have the possibility of posting it as well......
Now, with the whole world at my fingertips (well, Yangon at least) what shall I write about? I think I'll spend a good night's sleep on that. Provided Eaindra will let me. So far she's been the easiest baby ever. 2 months old and sleeps an easy 6 hours a night. Admittedly, not always the most convenient hours for me but even that seems to be changing. The last 2 nights she wanted to be fed at around midnight. She woke again at 3 and 5:30 two nights ago. Last night (or better said: this morning) she came at 6 am. I hope she will continue to do so. Then again,.the times Eaindra lets me sleep well, Xenne wakes me up...
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Shoot!!
Now I do have access I keep forgetting to bring the stuff... Today I realise I left my memory stick in the laptop at home. The other day I saved a blog update in the wrong format (still to be posted since on the forgotten memory stick). A great way to revitalize this blog....
Will try and remember to bring memory stick (with another update) tomorrow.
Btw, book week is a success so far. We get a free book for every 10,000 ks spent (about $12) but I've managed to buy the books I like from that stack for 1,000 each (including 2 Dr. Seuss books. Xenne loves those...).
Need to go home and make pasta but someone opened the big tap in the sky... You can't see much further than a few meters. But it's almost five. Wonder if I can hitch a ride in the school mini van. Mmm... worth a try.
Will try and remember to bring memory stick (with another update) tomorrow.
Btw, book week is a success so far. We get a free book for every 10,000 ks spent (about $12) but I've managed to buy the books I like from that stack for 1,000 each (including 2 Dr. Seuss books. Xenne loves those...).
Need to go home and make pasta but someone opened the big tap in the sky... You can't see much further than a few meters. But it's almost five. Wonder if I can hitch a ride in the school mini van. Mmm... worth a try.
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Taxi
I actually wrote this last year during the rainy season and never got around to actually posting it. And it is still as valid as it was last year... Taxis haven't improved much. Though it is slightly easier to get a Parami Taxi (very decent with drivers who actually can drive. And Xenne loves to have these taxis). But the antique, striped-down to metal casing-and-wheels-kind of car is also still around much more then they should...
Let me tell you about the average Yangon taxi… Where do I begin? The other day, we came back from downtown. It had rained so here and there it was rather wet. I hadn’t given it much thought since the downpour had happened an hour or so before. We were halfway home when suddenly I feel a lot of yucky-icky wet-something over my feet. I look down and gaze straight at the street. Between my, unconsciously strategically positioned feet, there was a neat, round whole in the bottom of the car. I checked KK side and he too had the same extra aircon…. I was luckier than I though. Apparently there was no puddle on his side.
Taxis here range from decently luxurious (aircon and everything working) and we all prefer those if we get them. Unfortunately, there is never a taxi like that around when you need one. The majority though is of an altogether different kind. I’m by now so used to not having a handle to turn the window down that I automatically search for it in the ‘i-dump everything here place’ between the 2 front seats. You attach it to the little ‘pin’ that sticks out and you can actually lower your window or turn it up depending on your need. Sometimes this doesn’t help though. And then you just push down the window. The taxi driver can always literally pull the window back up later when he has time.
The seats range from ‘have been around since the first days of automotive travel to a little more recent, say 20 years ago. And as for the interior… I’ve been in taxis more than once where there was nothing left of the inside of the doors apart from the metal casing. You just lean out of the window and yank or the driver gets out and opens the door for you…. If doors don’t really budge when they should, I already give a big shove without even thinking about it…
The part that I like (or sometimes definitely not like) is when the most striped-down taxi wants double the price for a trip because I’m a westerner. I do know that the taxi drivers rent the car from the owner and that they have to pay all costs as long as they are driving the car. And a Junior driver (no matter if he is in his 60s or 20s) starts with the oldest car in the owners fleet until he has proven himself. But hey, I don’t have a money tree in the backyard either. Now it is even worse. It is rainy season and my my, prices have already gone up again… Which is especially nice when you have negotiated and get into the car, only to find that the driver hadn’t closed his windows when it last rained… I’ve had a few wet bums lately and I’m sure to have a few more before this season is over… But I am forward now to check the bottom of the car. Just in case we hit another puddle…
Let me tell you about the average Yangon taxi… Where do I begin? The other day, we came back from downtown. It had rained so here and there it was rather wet. I hadn’t given it much thought since the downpour had happened an hour or so before. We were halfway home when suddenly I feel a lot of yucky-icky wet-something over my feet. I look down and gaze straight at the street. Between my, unconsciously strategically positioned feet, there was a neat, round whole in the bottom of the car. I checked KK side and he too had the same extra aircon…. I was luckier than I though. Apparently there was no puddle on his side.
Taxis here range from decently luxurious (aircon and everything working) and we all prefer those if we get them. Unfortunately, there is never a taxi like that around when you need one. The majority though is of an altogether different kind. I’m by now so used to not having a handle to turn the window down that I automatically search for it in the ‘i-dump everything here place’ between the 2 front seats. You attach it to the little ‘pin’ that sticks out and you can actually lower your window or turn it up depending on your need. Sometimes this doesn’t help though. And then you just push down the window. The taxi driver can always literally pull the window back up later when he has time.
The seats range from ‘have been around since the first days of automotive travel to a little more recent, say 20 years ago. And as for the interior… I’ve been in taxis more than once where there was nothing left of the inside of the doors apart from the metal casing. You just lean out of the window and yank or the driver gets out and opens the door for you…. If doors don’t really budge when they should, I already give a big shove without even thinking about it…
The part that I like (or sometimes definitely not like) is when the most striped-down taxi wants double the price for a trip because I’m a westerner. I do know that the taxi drivers rent the car from the owner and that they have to pay all costs as long as they are driving the car. And a Junior driver (no matter if he is in his 60s or 20s) starts with the oldest car in the owners fleet until he has proven himself. But hey, I don’t have a money tree in the backyard either. Now it is even worse. It is rainy season and my my, prices have already gone up again… Which is especially nice when you have negotiated and get into the car, only to find that the driver hadn’t closed his windows when it last rained… I’ve had a few wet bums lately and I’m sure to have a few more before this season is over… But I am forward now to check the bottom of the car. Just in case we hit another puddle…
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Yes.. It works!
But I got disconnected right after trying to post a bit more here. And I couldn't upload a picture (yet). Well, Can't expect too much of course... Anyways, the beginning is there. So it is true, changes are a-happening here. Apparently youtube is accessible now too. Haven't tried that yet. Will be logging of in a minute since I'm already late in going home. Surely Xenne will berate me for being late ("Mama, why you are late? Eaindra is hungry!"). But have book week coming up in school so loads of things to arrange. And we're ankle-deep in the mess of sorting out Eaindra's paperwork (embassies are soooo helpful....I must have emailed the duthc embassy a million times in the past weeks).
Wow....
Yesterday I read in the newspaper that Blogger was unblocked by the government and of course I have to try that immediately... And yes, I can access this without a problem (so far). Now, all I need to know is whether I can actually safe my post. If so, I might be able to get this blog back up and running....
Sunday 27 February 2011
One more update
Yesterday we went to the Dusit Zoo and Xenne had a blast. He loved the Seals show so much that he didn't know whether to jump up and down with excitement or sit with me quietly and enjoy it... It is something we'll do again i'm sure especially since there is little else to be done it seems. Especially since it has been raining for the past 2 nights....
This afternoon we'll fly back to Yangon. The weather is getting hotter and hotter but i find it is cooler there then here in Bangkok. Here the heat seems oppressive already. And we're not yet in the really hot season. True, they do have better electricity here so it isn't too difficult to escape the heat.
Pictures of our trip to Bagan in December.
This afternoon we'll fly back to Yangon. The weather is getting hotter and hotter but i find it is cooler there then here in Bangkok. Here the heat seems oppressive already. And we're not yet in the really hot season. True, they do have better electricity here so it isn't too difficult to escape the heat.
Pictures of our trip to Bagan in December.
Saturday 26 February 2011
A quick hi from BKK
It has to be quick this time since Xenne just showed up next to me and wants loads of attention. It rained today in Bangkok so our trip to the park will be canceled i think. Though we might give it a try after all in an hour or so.
Yesterday a trip to the visa section of the Myanmar Embassy. It was busier than I have ever seen it. So may tourists (relatively speaking of course) waiting in line. Unfortunately the few people who wanted a business visa also had to queue up just to get a number. It took longer to get that number than to hand in your stuff at the counter..... When it was pick up time the line for the tourist visa pick up was so long that people had to queue up outside the embassy...
Ok, time to take Xenne somewhere...
Yesterday a trip to the visa section of the Myanmar Embassy. It was busier than I have ever seen it. So may tourists (relatively speaking of course) waiting in line. Unfortunately the few people who wanted a business visa also had to queue up just to get a number. It took longer to get that number than to hand in your stuff at the counter..... When it was pick up time the line for the tourist visa pick up was so long that people had to queue up outside the embassy...
Ok, time to take Xenne somewhere...
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