The most graceful fishermen in the world

Even though I have been in Asia for six months, its still funny the assumptions that my brain makes. If they say "paved road" I still think about smooth asphalt not a flat road that was maybe paved at some point. Or a gravel road. If they say restaurant, I still automatically look for something western-looking even though I know I really should be looking for the little red plastic chairs they use so much here. When I'm told that Inle Lake has avocado salad, I can't help but picture a bed of greens and cubes of avocado. Myanmar does salads a little differently. They seem to say salad when they mean "vegetable side dishes." So the avocado salad was actually guacamole which was just as delicious as an avocado salad in the traditional sense. And I think when that's the biggest gripe I have about a location, it's doing ok.

There's nothing to see here. Move along.

Stand with Nepal

As I have mentioned many times, I've been spending the last few days reading through the interwebs, talking to people, and trying to find a way to volunteer or help in Nepal.  The articles taking about donations are spot on,  those that I have talked to have  asked me to spread the word about donations for their causes.  I know lots of people don't like giving to big organizations because the money doesn't go directly to the cause. The following  are links  given to me by Nepalis that I have had the privilege of staying with. PLEASE PLEASE consider even a small donation to help them rebuild.

The first one I'd like to recommend is the family that I stayed with when I was staying in Kathmandu. He runs a children's home, daycare for disabled children, and also trains and takes care of dogs in Kathmandu. His home is currently cracked and will not be lovable anymore. This man has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I've ever met and has truly decided to dedicate his life to improving the lives of people and dogs around him
http://www.lchome.org/donate.html
Or:  http://dm2.gofund.me/langtang

Secondly, I stayed with Pemba Sherpa's family at the Namaste Lodge in Phortse the night after the earthquake. His family managed to make us feel welcome, safe and warm while still  trying to take stock of what had happened, and figure out if ther family on Everest was safe,. Whenever there is tragedy on Everest, it usually directly affects at least a few Sherpa families. These men spend a large amount of time climbing through dangerous areas and  act as the backbone of many Everest expeditions.  These funds will go directly to helping rebuild in some of the Sherpa communities in this area and supporting families affected by the earthquake.

http://www.alexlowe.org/p/earthquake-relief

http://www.thelittlesherpafoundation.com/donation.php

Please share this and remember that any little bit will help. 

Thank you!!

Some pretty epic temples.

We finally arrived in Bagan! Probably the most famous thing in Myanmar. It's also in the hottest part of Myanmar during the hottest part of the year. So basically like being back in the Arizona summer, but with more dust and some really old temples.

That wifi thing.

Edit: I wrote this thinking it would be posted while I was out  trekking. I had no idea that there would be an earthquake  of such a magnitude while I was out. The sentiment is still the same and even greater. Thank you so much for all the love. I have felt it from lovely Nepali's here and from so many people around the world. If you're feeling helpless, the donations you make will really make a difference. Nepal doesn't have the infrastructure to handle a disaster like this and rebuilding will take a very long time.  I have had several Nepalis go out of their way to check on me while in the midst of dealing with their own troubles and worries. 

Here is a list that seems reasonable to me. 
http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-04-25/how-help-nepal-7-vetted-charities-doing-relief-work-following-earthquake

I was in a relatively safe area, and the quake and its aftershocks were still terrifying. I can't imagine what the more damaged areas are like. Please keep all that are affected or missing in your thoughts. 

A fleet of flying foxes

Cheyenne loves bats. Like a lot. And Sittwe had several trees full of fruit bats. After napping through to hot part of the day after our flight from Yangon, we spent the rest of the day watching bats. My neck spent at least two hours gazing upwards at the bats sleeping, squabbling and flying around.

Bed bugs. A travelers worst nightmare.

We were back in Yangon once again. And we went back to the first place that we had stayed. They had a massive dorm room, but it was clean and each bed had its own curtain, outlet and fan. Unfortunately it also had bedbugs. And Cheyenne found out the hard way when she woke up at 3 am with a massive cluster of bleeding bites on her leg.

You'll never be bored on a Myanmar bus

And I don't think I've said a truer thing this entire trip. I probably could write separate posts for my various bus trips, but by this time they have all blended into one crazy bus ride, so that's how I'll write this post.

To the beach!

Our original plan was to see the Irrawaddy Delta for some dolphins and crocodiles. Unfortunately, due to the lack of established tourism that would mean hiring our own boat and paying all expenses like guides, gas and food. It's not unreasonable, but it was WAY out of our price range. So we decided to head straight to the beach to even out some tan lines. After a large amount of logistical research and discussion, it was confirmed that we would have to stop for a night in Yangon before heading out west to the beach.

A circle around Yangon

I look forward to every new country that I go to, but the more I read about Myanmar, the more excited I got. It has really only been open to tourism since 2012. This country has a very complicated and interesting history that will get its own post. This post won't be written while I'm in Myanmar however, because government censorship (though not as intense as a few years ago) is still strong in this country. And I have been guided to watch what I say or write as well as what types of conversations I have with locals.

The Golden Rock

We took a short bus ride over to the town closest to the Golden Rock or Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. Its a major pilgrimage site because its a massive boulder perched precariously on a strand of Buddha's hair. Our timing was also pretty great in that we visited the temple on a full moon holiday (which we didn't know until we arrived).

Mr. Anthony

The Breeze Guesthouse in Mawlamyine had such horrible reviews online but was the only guesthouse online that was in my price range. Cheyenne and I decided to take the tuktuk from the bus station to the center of town and try to find alternatives. We figured we would be able to bargain with one of the hotels that's not online, but the tuktuk driver took us straight to the Breeze Guesthouse. The rooms were cheap, small and bug free (as far as we could tell). Apparently we were lucky. Some of the other rooms had bugs. The horrible bitey kind that lives in the mattress.