3. Burma. Why Go To Burma Now?

Akha Woman of Kengtung Buma

Packing for the journey, I asked myself....What is the reason to travel all the way to Burma

Is all the effort worth the adventure?

Getting to Know You ....  What a Challenge

          More questions followed as I looked at the unending list of must dos before departure.

 Do I really want to leave our comfy setting in Yakima for the unknowns that we will face each day on our trip?  Will I be able to connect with those fiber artisans and visit their tribal villages.?  135 distinct ethnic races creates great confusion for me as I try to study their locations, lifestyles and art wear.   The multitude of names for all the tribes, their sub groups, and locations is rather overwhelming as well.  

     

     Did Lewis and Clark or Christopher Colunbus feel that way too.  They didn't even have the Lonely Planet Guide Book  as a reference! 

     I do realize that much of Burma is changing fast....and the village life too.  Tourism is swamping the country.   Yes, I want to be there soon!

    I have decided to write some of my dreams and goals for the journey...and am begin  to move into the Burma world.  

Great Map of Burma Journey

     Kengtung in the east of Burma and near Thailand is going to be our best connect with the villagers and fiber women.  Its rugged terrain to its sense of isolation and most tourists just don't visit it.  Thus, this is my area of fiber focus.   Here, near Kengtung, we will be able to trek in the Shan highlands to villages of Tai Lu, Tai Khun, Tai Nuea, Akha, and Lahu villages.  I have decided this is sufficient to study in some depth for our journey.  Fortunately, I am somewhat familiary with the incredible supplementary warp weaving of the Thai Nuea from our time in Thailand and I love the mastser pieces  and beauty of their work.  

   Also, the Akhas and their incredible head dresses have always inspired me.  One observer, Jim Goldman, commented several decades ago "that the Akha view of art is something one wears...  I totally agree.

     I am now feeling better about our journey and will continue to proceed preparations with energy.

       Are you getting ready to join me?  Departure date is October 28 and be at Yakima Airport checking in by about 4:30 am.....See you soon.  

2. BURMA. Your Burma Itinerary .

Our Burma Itinerary

A Brief Overview of the Journey

States of Burma

We will be visiting primarily Yangon, Shan, and Mandalay States.

October 28 - Depart Yakima for Yangon

November 2  - Fly Yangon Air to Kengtung (Shan State)

November 10 - Fly Kengtung to Heho and stay at Inle Lake

November 16  - Fly to Hsipaw 

November 20 - Arrive in Mandalay by car

November 23 - Visit Bagan

November 25 - Fly back to Yangon

November 27 - Return to Yakima

Are you ready for the journey?  No need to worry about expenses....Everything is on the house!

1. BURMA / MYANMAR: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

1.  A  Burmese / Myanmar Adventure Begins

Women of a village near  Kengtung, Myanmar / Burma

     Soon we will be laughing with these women from a tribal village near Kengtung, Shan State, Burma/ Myanmar. 

    We will learn just which ethnic group they belong to.  They  could be the Akha, Shan, Wa,  Eng or even belong to several Thai ethnic groups ( Tai Kuhn, Tai Nuea, Tai Lu).....I am ready for exploration.  

    

   Many travelers say that Kengtung is one of the most attractive towns in Burma/Myanmar and its way of life has changed little over the centuries.  In terms of culture, it feels closer to the hill towns of northern Thailand and southern China and the tribal people follow a way of life that has changed little in centuries.

     The city of Kengtung, the capital of the Golden Triangle region, is where Myanmar, China, Laos, and Thailand battled for control of the opium trade for most of the last century.  

     You are invited to travel with us.  We look forward to your company.  

*Note:  I will use the former name Burma, instead of Myanmar, as the country name.  It is a more desireable name.  And George Orwell would agree with me!

     

Six  Neighbors for Burma
 

     Imagine, 5 countries border Burma: Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand     

 Can You Find Kengtung in Western Burma