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 

   

Have Stripes Ever Made You Dizzy?

 My Adventure With Stripes

Too Many Stripes For Me.....

Marcy Tilton's Inspiration

    This year is the year of black and white fabric stripes. Everywhere  I go I see people wearing every kind of garment with that jailbird color combo.  I always wonder how and where those fads begin.  Wouldn't it be fun to start a new trend?

     And, I became convinced that I wanted to make my own black and white stripe creation.  When I saw the Marcy Tilton knit pants pattern shown above, I knew that was for me.

     

     I knew that selecting the right fit would be critical to the appearance.  So, I carefully measured the basic pattern pieces of the pants with some of my best fitted pants.  And I was fortunate to adjust the pattern pieces for a fine fit.

     

     Starting to cut out the many pieces for the side decor with pockets and trims, I found myself getting very dizzy trying to decide the correct direction for those 4 or 5 little pieces.  

Too Many Stripes for Me

     Then trying to match the stripes with all those connecting seams was another challenging operation.  Somehow, with the luck of the Irish, the stripes all seemed to flow well together. 

Look At All Those Pieces to Try to Fit Together!

     I loved the look of the waist band with the fitted smooth front pieces and the fuller gathered back.  Putting it together was less complex than I had thought.  Inserting the elastic band in the back was a clever technique.  

     Finally it all came together, miraculously and the fit is fantastic. There was help from a greater spirit somewhere that helped me throughout the creation.  Thank you Great Spirit................

A Baby Quilt for Susannah's Helene

     Another Baby arrived in our Fitch family and that meant another quilt to create.  Of course, Gram Black's stash was available from her collection of 50's and 60's fabric, some quilt squares to get started.  I was amazed to find all the fabrics and other elements necessary to complete Baby Helen's sweet quilt.  

     Thank you Gram Black, Great Great Grandmother of Baby Helene, for passing on your stash so I could have so much fun making 

     Baby Helene and parents Susannah and Kevin Williamson are so happy as are the entire Fitch family!

Grandpa Rodney with Baby Helene's Quilt

Mother Susannah with Helene and Auntie Sally
and the Quilt

begin the family life journey.  Vickie and Rodney Fitch  are exceedingly joyful grandparents.  

BUCERIAS

Bucerias, Jalisco, Mexico

Bucerias Beach

Kyaking With Grandpa

 Netfishing
Several Manta Rays Were in the Day's Catch

Watch Ou for the Puff Fish
JFitch Photo

Beach Caligraphy
Winona, Jackson, and McKenna

Katie Shopping at Mega in Puerto Vallarta
Jim Fitch photo

On to Bucerias to a family celebration of our 50 years of marriage with children and grandchildren.  We were somewhat anxious upon arrival because we had made all lodging arrangements online (6 months earlier).  We hoped the location and comfort would be suitable for all.

Located in the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias is a warm water beach location with time-share, condominium, and hotel haven for mostly Canadians, North Americans, and many Mexicans.  The beaches are lovely, the town area is filled with boutiques and art, the pace is leisurely, and the weather in December, January, February is marvelous.

Corner of Main Street Bucerias

Mexican Craft Market

Our time in Bucerias was spent enjoying family and beach activities at our incredible house right on the beach, Casa Coco.  It was incredible - a beautiful Mexican art filled home with 7 beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms to match, a lovely pool setting, and a a convenient kitchen.  Included were all the beach toys anyone needs: a kayak, surf boards, beach balls.....  

Beach View from Casa Coco

Patio Paradise
TFitch Photo

Another Place to Swim

Team Work in the Kitchen

Second Floor Library

Third Floor Game Room and Bar

Fernando, Our Muffin Man
Who Delivered Fresh Daily

The 5 children, ranging in age from  5 to 12 years were ecstatic with the warm water of the ocean and the pool.  We filled our days with swimming activities, kayaking, beach architecture, Old Maid, Loteria (Mexican Bingo), talent shows, and  lots of drama.  

Ted and Katie, Our Children

Grandchildren at Work

Kristen and Katie with Delila and Jackson
Playing Loteria

Getting Ready For Talent Night
TFitch photo

Ted and Kristen
JFitch Photo

Joe, Our Chef, Serving His Guacamole

Harrison

McKenna and Adoring Cousin
JFitch Photo

Jackson

Joe

Katie

Delila Observing Cousins
JFitch Photo

Winona

A major highlight was sailboating in the Bay of Banderas to the nearby Marieta Islands. En route we watched humpback whales breaching and playing around our boat.  Arriving at the Marietas, we put on snorkeling equipment and swam among many schools of fish, coral, colorful eels. Then we proceeded to swim through  a dark cave which opened onto a sandy beach area.  If that wasn't a great  adventure...for all of us. It was a fabulous day ending with a hearty lunch aboard the sailboat.

WOW.......
TFitch Photo

Crocodiles?  Impossible.....
T Fitch Photo

  Another highlight was to visit Puerto Vallarta and visit with Kristen's colleague, Shirley, who works at Virginia Mason Clinic and commutes via email.  Below are photos of Shirley, Kristen, and all of us at her lovely PV condo. 

Shirley and Kristen

Enjoying Puerto Vallarta life.....

 Meals were fabulous with Mexican creations by cooks, Lupita and Nacho. The ribs, sopes, and guacamole were memorable!  Nights were filled with games, storytelling, talent shows, and Olympic watching,. The week passed like a beautiful sunset.  We will always remember the sun and fun in Bucerias.

50 Years Together

Good-bye Bucerias