Well have just returned home after travelling around Myanmar and a few other countries over that way.
If anyone is after some tips or advice on travelling to and around Myanmar, i'm more than happy to answer your questions to the best of my ability.
Just Returned from Travelling to Myanmar
myusername on 22/04/2018 - 09:39
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flush twice?
I worked there about 7 years ago teaching English up in the Shan State. Was in small hamlet type settlements for people who were considered 'outsiders', persecuted and really poor.
The Shan state has been in a long ongoing war with the government and there was always military operations going on around where I was located. The government didn't like us being there and eventually got harassed into leaving.
After that I did some work with the Thai Burma Border Consortium TBC trying to relocate missing family members who had been displaced by the war. A friend of mine had most of his family either killed or were considered displaced persons (basically no home and living in hiding). This was very common but trying to get access to refugee camps in Thailand was a nightmare and never really had any success finding anyone.
For all those thinking of going and all those concerned about the violence, it is definitely a country you need to learn a little history about. Colonialism shoved a whole load of different people and cultures into one country…..that never goes well. Learning a bit about it helps to understand how such lovely people can resort to such horrendous acts of violence. The violence against the Rohingya's is far from isolated, it is just because this is happening after the sanctions have been lifted and is in the public eye. Prior to this there were/is multiple different conflicts going on which is the reason for the military control and also the sanctions.
If anyone is interested this is a fantastic book and also a youtube of the author giving a speech pleading for help
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Daughter-Memoir-Survival-Burma…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW4fd8pUblM&feature=related
I've been to over 140 countries and this is easily my favourite. Don't let the stories you hear put you off going, even in the conflict zones it is pretty safe. It's a complicated place but if you are prepared to put up with typical 3rd world hassles and see some of the country outside of the main tourist areas (which are also def worth seeing) then you will have an extremely rewarding experience
Did you make it very far up north? I've been scoping out how to get to the tail end of the Himalaya from Burma, but it looks pretty difficult.
Hello,
Were you able to use credit cards much or is cash preferred? Do you know if there are any Citibank ATMs around?
Also did you have any recommendations for telco companies? I heard its either Telenor or Ooeredo. Parents going on a 4 day trip so trying to get this sorted for them! TQTQ!
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I've just returned from the toilet, AMA!