On The Road to Mandalay
Another early morning, this time at the Pagan Airport and, would you believe it, the shattered toilet pieces were still scattered all over the floor? Just amazing!
A half-hour flight, group hummed a few bars of “On The Road to Mandalay,” (the “road” is actually the Irrawadddy River) and were met by “Rose,” our new local guide. Mandalay was considered the center of Burmese culture and known as the Golden City, built in the 19th century. Ultimate anniversary ideas from Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises. Book online.
Heading to the Zegyo Market in the center, we were struck by the contrasts in transportation. Vintage Chevys, Olds, Buicks – jeeps and buses left by the Allies, and the most common form of transport – bicycles.
The Zegyo market had everything and anything possibly for sale including: saline solutions in clear plastic bags for i.v. use; books, food, Burmese souvenirs, etc.; along with people crammed on the sidewalks outside selling whatever little they may have had. …View image… ; and a big grey market dealing in cigarettes, whiskey and currency.
While waiting for the group to finish last-minute browsing, several of us stopped at a wagon where cold bottled drinks were being sold. The owner asked if we wanted a straw to drink with…I said “no,” but everyone else took one. When we returned the used bottles with the straws, the attendant just took the straws out of the bottles and put them back into a straw box – UNWASHED! I was pretty happy that I drank from the bottle and so did everyone else after that. At another soda stop, my CAPPED bottle had a very large, dead bug in the bottom. That took care of the sodas. Everyone lost a LOT of weight in five days.
If you are wondering what that chalky, yellow substance is on Burmese cheeks, nose and foreheads, it is a powdered form of Thanaka Tree bark, used as a combination bug repellent and makeup.
There was still time for some intensive rushing around to see the famous Temples, Sagaing, Mandalay Hill and other sights of Mandalay….
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