You know those times when trends shift but you just can’t quite let go of your old ways? Or is it just me? I mean, I stubbornly wore my last tattered pair of bootcut jeans for years after skinny jeans had taken over everyone’s closets. Change can be hard.
Seeing as most of my friends in Chiang Mai were working for Burmese organizations, it wasn’t a huge surprise when they all ended up moving to Yangon to continue their work. But I was still really sad about it. Until I actually went to Yangon and was once again reminded that change can be a good thing! I loved Chiang Mai, but I was also fairly bored of the sleepy city by the time I left. And Yangon is anything but boring.
I loved the chaotic energy, all the delicious food, the bright colors, the old crumbling colonial buildings, and the long pieces of string with clips on their ends dangling from apartment windows so that inhabitants don’t have to walk down several flights of stairs to pick up their packages or food deliveries.
I loved how familiar Burma felt after knowing so many Burmese people in Thailand, and it was really crazy to think about how much things have changed for people there in just the past few years.
Am I making it clear that I loved Yangon?
As will probably be the case for all the time I’m traveling with Dan, all the photos, or at least the prettiest ones, were taken by him.
But the highlight of visiting Yangon was seeing so many friends! It’s not often that I visit a city for the first time and am welcomed by a crowd of my favorite people.
The best part was that I managed to persuade Alicia and Bryce, two of my bestest friends from university who also lived in Chiang Mai with us last year, to surprise everyone in Yangon! I was flattered that Jon and Aileen actually believed that Dan and I were getting up at the crack of dawn to go see a famous pagoda (when we were actually going to the airport to pick up Alicia and Bryce) as if I ever manage to see important sites in a country, much less wake up early for them.
I’ve never heard Aileen scream as loudly as when she walked into her living room to find Alicia and Bryce waiting there for her. And I’m pretty sure I saw Jon shed a few sneaky tears. Such a happy reunion!
We spent most of our time gorging on delicious food and wandering around downtown Yangon on foot, though one day we took the train through the city out to Kandawgyi Lake. Because trains are super exciting!
I think everyone else was excited too.
We ended our time in Yangon with a walk through People’s Park. And a lot of tears, because saying goodbye to friends is hard.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Your photos are so incredible! They rally give a great overview of the city.
Silvia says
Yangon really was a photogenic city!
Caroline says
I loved reading this! We’re heading to Yangon in July and it was great to read. Plus, I really understand the teary friend goodbyes–they are almost worse when traveling.
Silvia says
I just had a peek at your travel plans and they look fantastic! I’m sure Yangon won’t disappoint 🙂
becky hutner says
you are bringing yangon back for me! i loved the gently decaying old colonial vibe mixed with modern chaos & the lack of tourists & “big sites” (save the obvious few). it’s just a city, doing its crazy thing & i had a blast trying to absorb it all.
Silvia says
Exactly! I loved getting lost in Yangon’s chaos and skipping all the sites in favor of hanging out and pretending to be a local. It was perfect.
becky hutner says
i don’t know why i’m shamelessly sharing my post on yangon, but i do think it captures some of the trippy magic of that city:
http://canadianinlosangeles.com/myanmar-in-3-anecdotes-missed-connections/
Silvia says
Really I should just delete my article and simply post a link to yours – it’s so perfect!
Polly says
What a gorgeous place. All the architecture is so lovely, I can absolutely see why you fell in love with the city!
Silvia says
So much of contemporary architecture in Asia is really boring, so I was really excited by all of Yangon’s beautiful buildings!
Justine says
I don’t know nearly enough about Yangon, but now I’m sold that I have to go there! I love all of the photos of the buildings…there’s just something about old colonial buildings that I just can’t get enough of 🙂
Silvia says
Right? I don’t know why colonialism is so fascinating, or is it just that I’m missing European architecture? Haha regardless, it was really fun wandering around the city – I’m sure you would love it too!
Joella in Beijing says
Aww I love a good reunion. I loved my visit to Burma but didn’t make it to Yangon. Would like to go back! Would you be able to share which organisations your friends work for? No worries if not!
Silvia says
It was such a great reunion! A bunch of my friends are lawyers – one of them works for the International Center for Transitional Justice – while another non-lawyer is doing work for and English language curriculum. So basically the typical NGO/human rights things expats do everywhere, haha.
Rebekah says
I love these pictures. I had decided I wasn’t going to go and now I’m questioning that decision. I hear you about not accepting change well. I’m always the last person to get on the bandwagon. Oh well. IT sounds like a lovely reunion 🙂
Silvia says
It was a lovely reunion! I definitely understand having mixed feelings about going to Myanmar, but Yangon at least was interesting!
Erin says
I can totally relate because I STILL have 2 pairs of bootcut jeans in my closet. Haha. Also living abroad things are always in flux with people moving here and there. We just recently signed our contracting papers for next year with my organization (JET Programme) and it looks like I’m nearly the only person staying another year. Im excitedto meet the enw people who come next year but anxious for a new year. Changes are upon us all!
Loved this sweet post about change and reunion. <3
Silvia says
Haha I’ve actually heard rumors that bootcut jeans are coming back in style?! Way to wait it out, Erin. And ugh, recontracting period was so stressful when I did JET – I also hate that they put it at the bleakest time of the year. I’m sure next year will bring you exciting things (and people) though!
Chalsie says
I’m super interested in exploring Myanmar!! But for now I’ll live vicariously through you.
Chalsie | The Workshop Co. x
Silvia says
I would love the chance to explore Myanmar more one day!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
Yangon looks really intriguing and I love the buildings. I can’t wait to see for myself!
Silvia says
I really loved the buildings in Yangon. I’m also curious what will happen in the future – if Burmese people will keep the old colonial buildings or want to get rid of them.
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
Awww, it is so lovely that you managed to meet and spend time with friends in Yangon. That’s the part I loved the most of my time in Beijing last year, meeting friends who live in this city. Yours and Dan’s photos of Yangon are beautiful, definitely make me want to go there. I bet the train ride was great, I love taking trains abroad, just at home I hate it. Btw, I had no idea that you are already in Russia, I thought you were still in Mongolia!
Silvia says
It’s funny how train travel feels so much more romantic while abroad than at home! And yes, I’m already in Russia – falling behind on blogging!
GiselleandCody says
We loved our time in Myanmar so much. Spent three weeks travelling throughout the country and still say that the people there were some of the nicest we have ever met. Always happy and never once did anyone try to rip us off at all. Would love to go back,
Silvia says
Myanmar really is such a special place – so glad to hear that you loved your time there!
David says
We only spent a few days in Yangon but we did mostly see everything. We loved the Urban food tour we did such great local foods! Circle train is a must to see the markets!
Silvia says
I’m so glad you loved it, and enjoyed the food tour! I’ve heard a lot of people say they were unimpressed by Burmese cuisine, but I think they must just not have been trying the right things!
stephanie says
Yangon looks lovely. I have not been to Myanmar yet, but it is on my list!
x
Silvia says
It definitely deserves a spot on that list!