We've been busy since our return from Kenya and Tanzania 3 weeks ago, so not much on the blog scene. Now, we're in Tokyo on our way to Burma (Myanmar) via Bangkok where we'll spend 2 weeks with our group of 16 people seeing this lovely and rapidly changing country.
Myanmar emerged from 6 decades of global isolation 2 years ago when the ruling generals held elections for president and elected one of their own, Thein Sein. President Sein, however, has not continued the military regime, but has opened the country slowly, but steadily. The result was the freeing of Aung San Suu Kyi, the long-imprisoned leader of the country's opposition, and her election to Parliament. Particularly important for Myanmar has been the partial lifting of economic sanctions in response to the political opening. And, of course, the visit of President Obama a few months ago.
There will be more elections in 2015, when Suu Kyi's party is expected to win most of the seats in Parliament, making it very likely she will become the Prime Minister. Unimaginable 3 or 4 years ago.
We visited Myanmar a year ago and loved it. This is a heavily Buddhist country where monks in deep red robes walk through the streets, barefoot, in long lines with their alms bowls under their arms begging for food. Every family will cook a little extra food to give to the monks on their twice daily movements through the villages and towns and cities. See my blogs about Burma from a year ago for more on the importance of Buddhism in Myanmar.
I will try to blog and send photos, but the internet is sparse in Myanmar, hard to find or access and very slow. If I can't send from there, I will post stories and photos of our trip when we get home, after November 6.
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