Life in Myanmar -- observations and experiences

In day-to-day life, one does not notice the military regime and its oppressive rule so much.  Life goes on, people go about their business.  Most everyone is quite poor, trying to get by.  The most tangible way the regime's effects manifests is the electricity cutting out at different points of the day.  There is not a sufficient supply of electricity and several times the lights will go out, the fan stop, etc.  Then it comes back on again -- if you're in a place where there's a back-up generator, such as our hotel.  If you are not, then you're out of luck, and in the dark.  There actually is enough electricity to supply the entire country fully, except that the supply is completely mismanaged by the regime.  Some years ago the government decided to expand the industry, without first figuring out how they would support it, that is, generate enough electricity; they overextended themselves.  Therefore, towns have to take turns to get electricity because the government is directing it to the factories.  Now, there would be sufficient energy to go around, if it weren't that they government also sells its supply off to other countries (such as China).  So, instead of supplying its own citizens they send it out of the country.

Some more observations to follow.   Betel chewing.  Umbrellas for sun.  Hot hot hot!  Longyi -- what everyone wears.  The Burmese language (hard!).   Dilapitated buildings and taxis falling apart.  Hip hop.  Beautiful beautiful Shwe Dagon pagoda.