Eyes Opened Wide

Money Madness

Story/Tip

Quote:

The money games played should definitely be a consideration to suppress tourism until the country is ready. Although I came to educate people in English, I did venture out of my hotel during the two months there.Dual pricing extended far and wide and could amount to a lot of money. At locally owned tea houses, we were charged 50% more. Parks and swimming pools that were free for locals were $2-$5 respectively for foreigners. Although many people feel that because we are foreigners and other countries are poor that this is acceptable. While I will concede wear national parks are concerned, as they do that in Thailand and Costa Rica, in other cases I don't agree with the practice. But ...Read More

The money games played should definitely be a consideration to suppress tourism until the country is ready. Although I came to educate people in English, I did venture out of my hotel during the two months there.

Dual pricing extended far and wide and could amount to a lot of money. At locally owned tea houses, we were charged 50% more. Parks and swimming pools that were free for locals were $2-$5 respectively for foreigners. Although many people feel that because we are foreigners and other countries are poor that this is acceptable. While I will concede wear national parks are concerned, as they do that in Thailand and Costa Rica, in other cases I don't agree with the practice. But I did take it in stride.

On the other hand, when Yangon Airways charged 40% more for flights, it more than stung. If locals can afford to fly, why shouldn't we both be charged the same? The already pay less for trains, buses and accommodations.

A government ferry that cost 10 cents for locals had a large sign that said $1 for foreigners. However, the ticket counter insisted we pay $1.20 or we would get a ticket. They took the money and wrote $1 or $2 for a round trip on the ticket. This indicates the money was going directly into the employee's pocket.

Hence both the government and locals are extracting additional money from foreigners for everything.

In order to exchange money, you need crisp $100 bills. Even the lightest curve from have been in a billfold justified giving a lower rate and more damage made it completely un-exchangeable. Moreover, you didn't go into a bank to exchange money. Two places, one the sidewalk around Sule Paya and the other in Bagoke Market, had men walking around with large bags containing money. Pre-bundled stacks exchangeable for $100 were offered. You are expected to count the money, before giving the $100 bill. Carrying a stack of 100 kyats rubber banded was the norm for tourists. There really isn't a fixed exchange rate. I looked it up on the internet and it was list at about 6:1. Yet, you are offered 950 to 1000 depending on the changer and if it is close to a holiday. You have little choice but to trust them.

The very few taxis that had meters didn't use them so you had to negotiate. A good rule of thumb was that within Yangon it should cost from 1500 to 2500 kyats and tipping isn't customary. Trishaws are used for short distance of several blocks or less. These are bicycles with passenger seats next to the driver, not behind. To me this would appear more work and harder to maneuver around corners.

I will also mention that doctor visits are $10 for $100 for foreigners and that I have read the quality of the medicines received is not good. I was asked to stay on beyond my 2-month contract, but for reasons mentioned here, I felt the good I might be doing was overwhelming negated.
Read Less

Cheer!
Flag

Fame Hotel

Hotel | "Deceiving Looks"

Quote:

Fame Hotel is a mid-priced accommodation located near Kawandji Lake just north of downtown. At the end of the road is Chatrium Resort Hotel and a couple of mansion-styled embassies which lets you know this is a pretty good area. The rooms are nice looking with matching linen. There is a small armoire, but no place to hang clothes.Various drinks were stocked in the mini bar, but over the course of a month, they were never restocked. This created problems because the would charge you for what you took, and then at check-out time try to charge you again because there recording keeping was so bad. The chips on the table weren’t replenished either. Because the key connected all the electr...Read More

Fame Hotel is a mid-priced accommodation located near Kawandji Lake just north of downtown. At the end of the road is Chatrium Resort Hotel and a couple of mansion-styled embassies which lets you know this is a pretty good area. The rooms are nice looking with matching linen. There is a small armoire, but no place to hang clothes.

Various drinks were stocked in the mini bar, but over the course of a month, they were never restocked. This created problems because the would charge you for what you took, and then at check-out time try to charge you again because there recording keeping was so bad. The chips on the table weren’t replenished either. Because the key connected all the electricity, you could never make ice cubes unless you never ever left the room.

You might be watching movie on one of the two English channels available and the staff at the front desk would change it. All of teachers would talk about how we missed the ending of a who-dun nit movie. Actually, there was one other channel in English. A 24-hour sports channel that never had problems. You see the electricity when out 8-10 times a day. Fortunately this hotel had a back-up generator so power would only be out for a few minutes. But other places....that’s a whole other story.

The room wasn’t cleaned on a regular basis so I would have to ask for items such as toilet paper and clean towels. Sometimes when it was cleaned, you wouldn’t get towels or have any sheets on the bed. The towels would be brought late in the evening. The excuse was that they were being washed. Apparently the had no extras?????

Floors were swept at best, not mopped. We’d find a mop around the housekeeping desk and use it ourselves. Each floor had a desk at the end of the hallway belonging to housekeeping. For some odd reason, the phone would ring loudly several times during the evening. Ann turned the ringer down, but when they would catch on, it would go back up.

The noise was continual. I heard the pinging noise from water dripping onto the tin roof from the air-conditioning on the floors above me. Ann heard the creaking door of the bathroom in the room next to her from people who were obviously drinking a lot of beer. Next to me, guests were bouncing a basketball on the walls. The generator that kicked in several times during the night was noisy and caused a bright light to come on just above my head. I was able to block the bright blue light on the TV using a bottle of lotion.

We all bit our tongues for the 2 months we spent in this place. This was suppose to be a fairly new hotel that we were put up in which was quickly going downhill. Oh, and for the record, the room rates were $35 for one person. Read Less

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on June 3, 2025

Fame Hotel
28 Po Sein Road
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (1) 542539

Cheer!
Flag

A Helping of Hinduism

Story/Tip

Quote:

Having the pleasure of visiting many Buddhist temples and monasteries, I was disappointed that I had merely paused at two Hindu temples. There always seemed to be a fortress wall around them so I could only take distant photos that I might later be able to enlarge to see the deities and mythological creatures.Walking for some four hours I was sweaty and hot when I stopped to admire yet another Hindu temple. Much to my surprise there were several people around and I was beckoned inside. I was taken straight to the center where I was told to hold my hands in prayer fashion. Out came what I believe was a priest who carried a tray of what looked like ash dust with a small glass in the center f...Read More

Having the pleasure of visiting many Buddhist temples and monasteries, I was disappointed that I had merely paused at two Hindu temples. There always seemed to be a fortress wall around them so I could only take distant photos that I might later be able to enlarge to see the deities and mythological creatures.

Walking for some four hours I was sweaty and hot when I stopped to admire yet another Hindu temple. Much to my surprise there were several people around and I was beckoned inside. I was taken straight to the center where I was told to hold my hands in prayer fashion. Out came what I believe was a priest who carried a tray of what looked like ash dust with a small glass in the center from which smoke was rising. He some words and touched his fingers to the ash and then to my forehead. Copying the man next to me, I closed my eyes while fanning the smoke and inhaling the scent. When I opened my eyes I could feel them stinging as sweat poured down my forward. It began to get even hotter inside than it was outside. The salt was burning my eyes and the camphor I had been fanning toward them, no doubt, made it worse.

I was then taken around the room and told what deity each statue was, beginning with Shiva who is the Destroyer God. Not to mean that he is evil, but to destroy bad things such as bad habits or enemies. At this point I recalled that Shiva had cut off one of Brahma's five heads in order to quell his lust and help him to regain his right mind. I suppose another way to put it might be that with death comes a rebirth. He is usually shown having 8 arms and possibly riding on a white bull.

Next I was shown Vishnu, the Preserver God. In other words, protector of creation means preserving the universe and maintaining balance and order. Typically, he is depicted resting on a snake with a bow and sword nearby. Lastly is Brahama is the Creator God. He created all that is in cosmos. He split himself to create a woman and that story goes into how all the animals were created. To sum it all up, I was told Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma are a trinity god.

After the explanations and tour, I was given a bottle of water to quench my thirst and replenish the liquids I was rapidly loosing. I went outside and began putting on my shoes and as I rose, I was given a special packet of ash dust along with a small bottle of camphor. I felt so blessed for having been given this opportunity. Read Less

Cheer!
Flag

Sule Paya

Attraction | "Monk and Me at Sule"

Quote:

My new found monk friend and I walked up the steps to foyer of Sule Pagoda. He motioned for me to put my sneakers near his sandals in a "shoe check" area rather than just along side the steps with hoards of others. I paid my $2 and the cashier pressed a little round sticker onto my shirt. I was told to return it upon exiting. The first room around this circular corridor contained 3 large golden Buddha's. People were in front of them praying. The monk asked me to join him as he knelt down to give three bow and told me to do the same. I walked to the back so as not to impair anyone's views while taking pictures. I took photos because I felt the neon lights radiating from behind the statue was uniq...Read More

My new found monk friend and I walked up the steps to foyer of Sule Pagoda. He motioned for me to put my sneakers near his sandals in a "shoe check" area rather than just along side the steps with hoards of others. I paid my $2 and the cashier pressed a little round sticker onto my shirt. I was told to return it upon exiting.
The first room around this circular corridor contained 3 large golden Buddha's. People were in front of them praying. The monk asked me to join him as he knelt down to give three bow and told me to do the same. I walked to the back so as not to impair anyone's views while taking pictures. I took photos because I felt the neon lights radiating from behind the statue was unique.

At the base of the golden stupa in the center of it was a small colorful Buddha with a facet and several small plastic cups next to it. The monk told me I must pour 9 glasses over the statue. Was this the cleansing of the statue that I read about? The he pointed to the elephant below it and told me I must do the same. At this point I noticed my sticker had fallen off onto the shelf so I picked it up and put it in my pocket.

Also at the base of the stupa was a beautiful bell with a large piece of wood beside it. After the monk struck the bell 9 times he handed me the wood, showed me how to strike the bell and said to do it 9 times.

Suddenly a woman raced towards speaking Burmese. The tone of her voice let me know she was not speaking kindly to the monk. All the fuss was about the sticker. I showed it to her, but she continued to rant at the monk. He explained to her what happened but she was clearly still mad. Meanwhile, he was apologizing to me.

So caught up in the experiences, I scarcely recalled that this 2000 year old temple of gold is supposed to contain a hair of Buddha. Instead I let my mind linger on the delicate, intricate patterns of the building. Looking so much like gold lace, I had to see just how thick the designs were. It truly seemed as though a doily made of gold had been draped over the temple.

As we left, a disable man was trying to get me to buy postcards. I was beginning to pull out my wallet as I was asking the price. Having overheard previous prices at other places, I knew it would be around a couple of dollars. I must admit, I was more incline to buy from this disabled man than someone else. Imagine my surprise when the monk said something to him in Myanmar and waved him away.

I learned so much from my time with this monk. It was neither positive nor negative. Just suprising.

All this at the city's main traffic circle.
Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 2, 2025

Cheer!
Flag

In a Monk's Bedroom????

Story/Tip

Quote:

Having lived in Thailand, I knew women weren't to touch a monk or give anything directly to them. Furthermore, they didn't smile much less laugh. Bowing your head as monk walked by was expected. Therefore, this day's events were odd indeed. Heading into town in the general direction of Sule Pagoda I noticed a monastery and walked inside the gate. I hadn't gotten too far and wasn't even contemplating going inside any building when a monk came towards me and pointing to my sneakers tersely said, "no shoes". Taking my shoes and socks off I apologized profusely. I stood momentarily gazing at the building. By no means was I going to pull out my camera now. I started to turn around t...Read More

Having lived in Thailand, I knew women weren't to touch a monk or give anything directly to them. Furthermore, they didn't smile much less laugh. Bowing your head as monk walked by was expected. Therefore, this day's events were odd indeed.

Heading into town in the general direction of Sule Pagoda I noticed a monastery and walked inside the gate. I hadn't gotten too far and wasn't even contemplating going inside any building when a monk came towards me and pointing to my sneakers tersely said, "no shoes".

Taking my shoes and socks off I apologized profusely. I stood momentarily gazing at the building. By no means was I going to pull out my camera now. I started to turn around to leave when he pointed towards a building. I stood in the doorway looking at the Buddha statues inside when he motioned for me to go inside. I looked around a bit and mumble a couple of times that it was beautiful. Just as I was about to search for my wallet he pointed to the donation box. I was ready to depart rapidly after putting money in the box. Again I headed toward the exit.
He said, "come", and dutifully I followed. Crossing a large empty room to the far corner he pulled a sheet aside from a doorway. He beckoned me to enter and sit on the mat on the floor. The last thing I ever expected was to be inside a monks room! My mind raced with thoughts of running, but I was frozen.

He brought out a bottle of water and a cup and filled it for me. While he was asking me where I was from and where I was staying, he peeled a couple of tangerines feeding sections of it to me. By this time another monk had come. His English was very limited.

The first monk continued to ask questions like where I was going. I told him Sule Paya. He said he would join me. We left the monastery and headed across the street to a restaurant where he ordered some type of thick pumpkin juice that was terrific. He also ordered a sweet pastry for me but not himself. I reached for my wallet and he said he would get it.

He asked why I didn't take pictures as most people do. I told him without seeing others do so, I wasn't sure it was permitted. I thought this was a good cover the fear that had gripped me the shoe incident which led to not taking any photos.

We head for a bus, which I knew was free for him and yet he paid for me. He accompanied me around Sule Paya. Details of the experiences at the temple are in the Sule Paya entry.

As we parted, we exchanged address, phone numbers and email addresses. Although he had the chance to practice his English, it was I who gained insight. Read Less

Cheer!
Flag

Within the Mosque

Story/Tip

Quote:

I was on an overpass when I noticed down below was very nice looking mosque. I marveled at the building and tried to find a place where that would encompass the most of it in a photograph.. While taking pictures, a man called up to me asking where I was form. After my response, he asked "What is your purpose here?" I don’t know whether it was the tone of his voice, his choice of words, or his overall unfriendliness, but I was even more reluctant to get too near a mosque. I decided to move on rather than even walk down the steps from the overpass to view it from eye level.Walking down a narrow alley the following day, I came across another mosque. Mogul Shiah Jaamay Masjid was quite o...Read More

I was on an overpass when I noticed down below was very nice looking mosque. I marveled at the building and tried to find a place where that would encompass the most of it in a photograph.. While taking pictures, a man called up to me asking where I was form. After my response, he asked "What is your purpose here?" I don’t know whether it was the tone of his voice, his choice of words, or his overall unfriendliness, but I was even more reluctant to get too near a mosque. I decided to move on rather than even walk down the steps from the overpass to view it from eye level.

Walking down a narrow alley the following day, I came across another mosque. Mogul Shiah Jaamay Masjid was quite old, actually 100 years old and I figured it must be active so I could at least stand outside in peace. I took some pictures, read the plaque and stood by the gate. I had notice a man looking at me who eventually beckoned me to come inside the gates. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs when a much older man appeared and motioned for me to come further.

Standing Just outside the main hall, he asked if I wanted to take pictures. Much to my surprise he invited me inside, even after learning my country of origin. He explained that worshippers off to right, which I had noticed were all me, were there because a friend had died.

He took me into the room to the left behind a darkly paneled divider. I noted that it was very plain, without shrine, alter or anything. He told me in this room the ladies worshipped on Fridays. It was then I realized I was not only in a mosque, but an active one at that. I was informed that I would be welcome to join them on Friday.

In the center, between the ladies room and section where the men had been praying, he pointed to the Koran and asked if I understood. He told me that this was where followers would sit and read. He asked something vague and not quite comprehendible about Hussein and Iran to which I merely nodded. I believe he said something about either Hussein had commissioned the plaque I had read outside or had worshipped here as well as murmuring he was from Iran whom the world was in conflict with.

I thank the man several times, appreciative for the opportunity and information. Read Less

Cheer!
Flag

IgoUgo

Upload Photos