Eerie Travel Secrets

Who has not seen the pics in TV in 2007-soldiers up to their teeth in weapons- hitting unarmed people to death – like a Japanese journalist. Monks with bloody heads. This is how the mass-demonstration of the monks was crashed.

Mandalay today is a rather (not tops) modern city- noisy – but without the hectic of other Asian metropoles. And you see relatively few soldiers. Modern buildings surround the clock – tower, erected by the colonial masters to teach their oriental charges to be "on time" – which is so much likely as the proverbial snow in hell. A few streets from there you find the Zegyo market.

In a few years – so the talk goes – this will vanish and be replaced by yet another neon-lit supermarket hall, but right now, the market-women still reign over the food on this town. Tomatoes, bananas, two dozen kinds of dried fish – but also with mountains of crab-paste, bean-cookies, and the best of all:  snake fish – supposed to supercharge male potency.  Not too far away we find men with white streaked faces – and flex-machines drilling into a huge white marble block – ahhh – we hear with surprise – this is going to be one of Buddhas toes.

Other families work on Buddhas elbow and Buddhas stomach. A very special artist will be in charge of Buddhas face. Apparently this is a real profession in Burma – "the maker of Buddhas face".  A rather strange profession, we find, but interesting all the same, just like the other one – that of the gold-beater: he beats 10m2 hair-thin foil of gold out of a 32gram piece of real gold, as he hammers on that piece for days on end. This – is also for the Buddha, of course.

We all love Thailand, but let’s face it, it has it’s ugly side, too. Whereas Myanmar is – on the surface of course- the virgin – (as yet untouched by Tommy Hilfinger, Mercedes and Burger King style buildings and stores, it is still somewhat authentic) and Thailand (in comparison) is the whore. 

Apparently 400 000 tourists came to Mayanmar in 2006, 20 000 of those were Germans. After the monks’ demonstrations and the following unrest, tourism collapsed.  Hotels released staff or closed down all together, souvenir shops closed.

The generals don’t really care. They are making big profits with  Jade, Teak-wood, gas and minerals. The chambermaids, bell-boys, gardeners – in short – the small people of the population have no income now.  And even the more educated people don’t understand the "boykott" for political reasons = the cold shoulder the Western world is showing them.

Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon is surely fascinating. Especially in the evening, when the last rays of sun touch the golden needle of it’s top, with a slight pink-rosè touch…. Women with jasmin-chains around their neck kneel in awe and prayer. Pink clothed nuns are saying their ritsch-ratsch prayers in endless monotony.  Pictures of peace and pure bliss. These are just as true as the other side: the violence – the death of innocent people.

clickindia: "RECRUITMENT AGENCIES FOR MAYANMAR JOBS" is getting …

"RECRUITMENT AGENCIES FOR MAYANMAR JOBS" is getting popular in india http://tinyurl.com/ku2ow5.   Read more…

RE: TWO MONTHS IN MAYANMAR POSSIBLE?

As above, overstaying is your only in-country option to stay beyond your 28 days, they stopped with extensions long ago. Even arrival Immigration at the airport and the govt. MTT tourist office tell y…   Read more…

UN: International Support is Still Critical for Mayanmar after One …

Marking the one year anniversary since Cyclone Nargis devastated much of Myanmar, the United Nations is reviewing an impressive life-saving effort but also pointing to the equally daunting work, and …   Read more…

Global Voices Online » Bangladesh: Maritime boundary dispute with …

Dayoub said,” I am very happy to be practicing with the club and am looking forward to the Mayanmar trip.” Sebastien was also happy with the proceedings. Overall East Bengal seemed a fit ou…   Read more…

Willie Nelson’s Water From Air Assists Mayanmar Victims …

Willie Nelson’s Water From Air Assists Mayanmar Victims .. Willie Nelson’s Water From Air and Wataire International have teamed up to assist cyclone victims in Myanmar, and you are invi…   Read more…

Comment on Bangladesh: Maritime boundary dispute with Mayanmar by …

Baire wonders whether the recent tensions between Myanmar and Bangladesh over maritime boundary dispute and the troop build up by Myanmar near Bangladesh border could delay the impending election in […   Read more…

Burma’s Rohingya Mayanmar Muslims–a forgotten minority « RUPEE …

Some relief was sent to Mayanmar. 2 C-130s will not be enough. Pakistan is one of the few countries that is allowed into Myanmar. Pakistan must leverage this access to help the Muslims of Burma…   Read more…

baldilocks: World is Crazy (UPDATED: Lebanon)

Mayanmar has been lost many more people by nargis cyclone and China’s disaster prep seems to be better than that of Myanmar’s. This suitation in this country take care of his aid and he…   Read more…

Mayanmar Yet Again

I’m sorry to say that Myanmar is still in the news for brutally abusing human rights. Around 150 people were given sentences – from 2 – 65 years. Many were held in secret, sometimes with no counse…   Read more…

nyt.com “police clash with monks in mayanmar”

coming accross the news and media lately has been the city of mayanmar and the news breaking peaceful protests which have evolved in to violent massacres. monks began protesting the rise of fue…   Read more…

gilani asleep at the wheel on mayanmar strategy!

mayanmar provides access to the other side of the indian (asian) ocean and in case of hostilities a pakistani base in mayanmar would be invaluable. the indian government is at odds with …   Read more…

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the military junta in mayanmar is not allowing foreign aid workers to come and help their own people. how diabolical can a government become? during natural calamities of such humongous proport…   Read more…

UNICEF UK’s Work Continues in Mayanmar

UNICEF UK’s relief efforts are still on track six months after Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Delta, but support from home is still required to bring long-term solutions to children and …   Read more…

Op-Ed / Merrellyn Stark: Mayanmar and democracy

Probably few people in the West are familiar with the country of Mayanmar although we have recently been seeing and reading about events taking place there for weeks. In this column I would lik…   Read more…

Jawa 175, Mandalay, Burma on Flickr – Photo Sharing!

Click this icon to see all public photos and videos tagged with Burma Burma Click this icon to see all public photos and videos tagged with Mandalay Mandalay Click this icon to see all public phot…   Read more…

mayanmar finally accepts help from all nations

the un secretary-general met the junta supremo in his remote new capital of naypyidaw for more than two hours.   Read more…

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Americans tip as part of their lifestyle.The custom of tipping for most services should be adopted when in America, despite what you are used to at home. The following is a top 5 guide to tipping for anyone visiting the beautiful country on American holidays

1. Have some dollars ready. When you exchange your currency for US dollars, be sure to ask for a good amount of $1 dollar notes that you can stick about ten of in your wallet at all times to cover yourself.It makes it a lot easier to find the right value of tip you want without asking for change back. If you need to ask for change though, don’t be embarrassed as it happens frequently

2. Bars. In general you should be looking to tip about a dollar a drink when bought at the bar. Of course if you are buying a big round then just tip $3-$4 dollars for the lot. If you are seated and your drinks are served to you by a member of staff at your table then look to add $10 on to the total at the end of the night

3. Restaurants. This really is dependent on the restaurant in question. Those at the lower end of the market only need tipping the region on 15%. For more formal sit-down meals you should expect to pay along the lines of 20-25% of the cheque.If the staff go the extra mile for you then you should really thank them by tipping a little extra for their work.

4. Bags. A porter who takes your bags up to your room will be expecting a tip of $1 per bag. Give more if you think it is warranted but it is advised not to go lower or offer change to the porter. Bag carriers at airports should be tipped between $2 to $4 per bag

5. Poor service. If the service is not as good as you would expect then don’t tip just because you feel you have to. But be sure to explain your choice. Constructive feedback is generally appreciate in the USA and the people you give it to are rarely offended. Florida holidays staff are particularly humble.

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