I love being back in Yangon. I get to meet such interesting people who are living such interesting lives.

The international volunteers
In my office over the river in the township of Hlaiang Tharyar, I have Anne and Paul who are Australian volunteers from the organisation, AVI. They have had experience of volunteering in East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

The freelancer/scholar
I also have a super colleague Aly from the USA who is a freelance journalist and gender specialist here for a year on a scholarship programme.

The human rights and legal specialsits
I met a great couple from Canada and Italy and an American who are here to help within the criminal justice system.They have worked in other countries too in support of their work.

The humanitarian workers
At the Yacht club on a Friday night, you meet a range of expats. This week, I enjoyed the company of two Irish and a British aid worker with an Irish NGO working in the north of the country near the conflict areas.
I have also chatted to inspiring people who work with Medicins San Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) again in the conflict zones.

The teachers
There are a large number of teachers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa here teaching in the international schools.

The 'missionaries'
I have bumped into a few people who are here to support initiatives in education and health based on their religious convictions and mission.

The Embassy staff
There are people from all countries who are here to provide aid and support to the country as well as consular services to their nationals.

And most important of all, the local people
I have had such interesting discussions with local people - taxi drivers, property owners, factory workers and others.