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Around the World Forever
It's December 11, 2015 and it's been a long time since I've posted anything. At all. In summary, my blogging absence can be directly attributed to living in Peru for 2 1/2 years, spending time in places I blogged about before, and simply not giving a **** about providing updates. With the growth of Facebook and the instant gratification that comes from social media twits and tweets, etc., it seems like detailed blog entries that require time and effort to compose have become a thing of the past.
But I can't tell you how many times I refer to my own blog for information, dates, or to retrieve an old photo. So it lives on and here we go; Myanmar (or Burma if you prefer)
This blog entry comes a few months shy of my 12th year living on the road out of my backpack. It was almost 12 years ago that I quit my job, sold all my ****, and left behind the 40-40-40 scam. That's the one when you make someone else rich by working 40 hours a week for 40 years of your life to retire on 40% of what you struggled to live on in the first place. Commonly called a "job" (Stole that from somewhere on Facebook)
So anyway, I'm free to explore this country for the next 26 days. I don't think too much is known about this place other than there being a xenophobic, military junta that is slowly relinquishing power. The people must be suppressed, poor, and unhappy in this dangerous, unfriendly place.
Arriving in Mandalay on a direct flight from Bangkok, I discovered I would be the "poor" one. I rocked up to the first ATM to withdraw cash and FAIL. I tried the next machine. Nothing. And the last machine I tried suggested I call my bank. After inquiring further, an e-mail sent from my normally reliable financial institution revealed some type of embargo imposed on Myanmar by the U.S. Treasury Department. No transactions are permitted in this country. I would have to survive the next 26 days on the $600 dollars cash I decided to bring. Fortunately, all was not lost. I am traveling with my not so famous, orange haired, Austrian travel partner from my India and Nepal expeditions; Nora. And her ATM card works just fine. So the Bank of Nora was established and a lending program put in place.
***In the end, the expenses for the month were just over US$800, making Myanmar one of the least expensive places I've traveled
Mandalay is Myanmar's 2nd largest city and my first observation was this is a place on the move. Literally. Everyone was going somewhere on a motorbike or in their car. So it appears the poor people of Myanmar have money to buy vehicles and the gas to put in them. Traffic was flying. The next observation, and I don't know where they learned this, but the Burmese are the most polite and helpful people I've encountered while traveling. Maybe they just aren't jaded yet by tourists and the sometimes poor behavior we bring with us. Whatever it is, so far so good here.
Mandalay as a city is a less than impressive grid of busy streets; a design left over from the British colonial days. Things to see and do are spread out with a lot of distance between them. The best way to explore is to get a motorbike of your own and join in the traffic chaos. Surprisingly, our Chinese made scooter got the job done well for the 2 days we needed it. We stopped several times to study the map and the locals pulled over immediately, jumped off their bike, and pointed us in the right direction. Every time! Again, not sure where they learned it but helpful seems to be in their nature. So far I like this place.
But I can't tell you how many times I refer to my own blog for information, dates, or to retrieve an old photo. So it lives on and here we go; Myanmar (or Burma if you prefer)
This blog entry comes a few months shy of my 12th year living on the road out of my backpack. It was almost 12 years ago that I quit my job, sold all my ****, and left behind the 40-40-40 scam. That's the one when you make someone else rich by working 40 hours a week for 40 years of your life to retire on 40% of what you struggled to live on in the first place. Commonly called a "job" (Stole that from somewhere on Facebook)
So anyway, I'm free to explore this country for the next 26 days. I don't think too much is known about this place other than there being a xenophobic, military junta that is slowly relinquishing power. The people must be suppressed, poor, and unhappy in this dangerous, unfriendly place.
Arriving in Mandalay on a direct flight from Bangkok, I discovered I would be the "poor" one. I rocked up to the first ATM to withdraw cash and FAIL. I tried the next machine. Nothing. And the last machine I tried suggested I call my bank. After inquiring further, an e-mail sent from my normally reliable financial institution revealed some type of embargo imposed on Myanmar by the U.S. Treasury Department. No transactions are permitted in this country. I would have to survive the next 26 days on the $600 dollars cash I decided to bring. Fortunately, all was not lost. I am traveling with my not so famous, orange haired, Austrian travel partner from my India and Nepal expeditions; Nora. And her ATM card works just fine. So the Bank of Nora was established and a lending program put in place.
***In the end, the expenses for the month were just over US$800, making Myanmar one of the least expensive places I've traveled
Mandalay is Myanmar's 2nd largest city and my first observation was this is a place on the move. Literally. Everyone was going somewhere on a motorbike or in their car. So it appears the poor people of Myanmar have money to buy vehicles and the gas to put in them. Traffic was flying. The next observation, and I don't know where they learned this, but the Burmese are the most polite and helpful people I've encountered while traveling. Maybe they just aren't jaded yet by tourists and the sometimes poor behavior we bring with us. Whatever it is, so far so good here.
Mandalay as a city is a less than impressive grid of busy streets; a design left over from the British colonial days. Things to see and do are spread out with a lot of distance between them. The best way to explore is to get a motorbike of your own and join in the traffic chaos. Surprisingly, our Chinese made scooter got the job done well for the 2 days we needed it. We stopped several times to study the map and the locals pulled over immediately, jumped off their bike, and pointed us in the right direction. Every time! Again, not sure where they learned it but helpful seems to be in their nature. So far I like this place.
- comments
Jeanine Ging Jeff, so glad you are blogging again! I missed reading about your adventures. Have fun and be safe. Nean
Hugh and Dottie from the world of AZ WOW, wish I was with you there. Brings back memories! Enjoy the trip and keep blogging.
BD Looks amazing Jeff!
Ann Putnam Love your blog. Glad you`re back!! Would love to have your lifestyle. The 40/40/40 deal stinks!
Marty Cook ...and, it doesn`t stop at 40/40/40... it`s more like 40++/40++/and, then, they take your last nickel and slide you out the door... keep going, Jeff... you are seeing the beauty that the world has to offer, while the United States grows uglier every day in terms of hatred, divisiveness, and inequality...
Mart Cunningham Your life has already been quite amazing brother. Keep enjoying it.
Joe Mineo Love the great pictures!
Martha Welcome back! I always enjoy reading your blog and seeing the amazing photos that tell the story!
Jeff Schenker Thanks Martha!
Jeff Schenker Thanks Ann!
Jeff Schenker Thanks Nean! More to come soon...
Matt Brotha! Hope you are well! Took a shot and wanted to check out the "pod" site, and bingo... you`re back to it! Let me know when you get back to Erie!