So much to say, so little time

A touch of Thailand came and went like a breeze.  Still so much to say, but here we are in Myanmar and I am overwhelmed with the sights, sounds and smells.  We are leaving in half an hour to travel up country on a 14 hour bus ride to Kalaw and so I will try to record some of what was observed yesterday.

Our first day in Rangoon (Yangon) was incredible.  I have words of beauty, disappointment and sadness floating through my mind.  The phrase that comes to my mind, to express to you what I observed is "the land that once was".  There is such hidden and forgotten wonder in the streets and the buildings.  But if you look closely, it's there.  The solid bones of columns and brick are crumbling, but still holding on, for change.  The hanging iron gates, faded and stained colours, and overgrown landscapes are begging to be seen once again. 

But, my family, they see it.  They know what Myanmar used to be and they still see it in their hearts.  My families former homes and places of business that we visited yesterday became filled with sounds of shock and sadness that poured from us as we toured through.  And then the van ride after - it was silent.  As many reflected.  And dealt with the reality of what is now and what was then.