Observations from Myanmar (Burma)

Here are some of my random observations, facts and tidbits from traveling in Myanmar (Burma) in June 2009:

- Myanmar is a safe country to travel to despite what you might hear in the media.
- The Burmese people hate their government.
- There are no ATM machines in Myanmar or facilities to cash travelers cheques. Foreigners are forced to carry US dollars in cash.
- There's almost no crime, even in big cities. This is because there is not much disparity between the "haves" and "have nots"; only the government officials are rich.
- The official capital of Myanmar is no longer Rangoon/Yangon. It is Naypyidaw. But for all practical purposes, it is still Rangoon.
- Myanmar sleeps early; some shops/restaurants close at 20:00 and almost everything is shut down by 21:00.
- The Burmese are some of the most polite and helpful people I've ever met.
- Shwe is the most common last name in Myanmar.
- It is possible to spend no more than US$10-15 per day, including all meals and accommodation.
- I've traveled across the country and have yet to see anyone defecate or urinate in the open. Toilet facilities are found almost everywhere.
- The cities, towns and villages are clean and almost litter-free.
- The sidewalks are walkable; one doesn't have to worry much about falling in an open drain.
- Motorists obey traffic rules.
- There's garbage collection even in small towns.
- Expect to pay "foreigner" prices for most things (still it is cheap).
- Travel in Myanmar is Slow with a capital "S" and difficult. Bus route/number, road names/signs, information boards etc. are all in Burmese. Also, almost no one speaks English.
- Yangon's Northern Bus Terminal is the most confusing place I've ever been to anywhere in the world! There are hundreds of buses and no way to tell which one goes where - everything is in Burmese.
- Foreign visitors to this country (and there are very few) are almost revered.
- I've never seen so much greenery in my life before. This is because there is practically no development outside of the major cities.
- Everyone (men, women and children) wears a longyi. Did I say that a longyi looks sexy on a woman?
- Practically everything is made of wood.
- A mobile phone costs several hundred US dollars; and a SIM card costs around US$2000.
- Car ownership in Myanmar is probably less than 1 percent owing to the fact that the government purchases cars for US$1000-2000 from Japan, and sells them for US$20,000-60,000.
- If you see a luxury car on the street, then it is most likely owned by a government official.
- In the black market, US$1.00 = ~1,080 Myanmar Kyats (June 2009); the official rate was US$1.00 = ~6.50 Myanmar Kyats!
- Tea shops are everywhere in Myanmar (tea/coffee costs ~200 Kyats).
- Electricity supply is very sketchy. This is done intentionally by the government to keep "control" over the people. The goal is to keep them simple and uninformed.
- Many people (including children) in Myanmar have red teeth due to chewing paan (betal).
- Red spitting stains can be seen everywhere.
- I have seen more paan-walis (female betal sellers) than paan-walas (male betal sellers).
- Interestingly, despite being one of the poorest countries, there aren't any beggars in Myanmar, even in touristy places.
- A young person has only three practical options in Myanmar: to become a monk, join the army or go out of the country for a better life.
- Most Burmese men drink alcohol in the evening. A bottle of whisky costs only 1,800 Kyats (~US$1.80). That's cheap even by Burmese standards.
- Total strangers often help women get on or off a bus or a pick-up truck without being accused of molesting her.
- Myanmar is pronounced as "Mee-yan-mar" and Kyat (their currency) is pronounced as "Chat".
- Kipling was right when he wrote, "this is Burma ... it is quite unlike any place you know about."