XIV. To Gallipoli (Part-2)
At Hill 10, outside the beautifully tended cemetery, Cecil found the gravestones of 4 men of his own battalion. After that, something came into his head and Cecil made his way over rock and scrub to Kiretch Tepe Sirt and Karakol Dagh, at their highest point 600 or 700 feet above sea level, reflecting the event which was left of their Battalion holding the extreme left flank of the British Front Line.
On the northern side, the cliffs slope steeply down to the blue waters of the Aegean, with bays of white sand. Cecil found a 1915 Pratt’s 2-gallon petrol tin in which their very tangy water used to be man-handled up to the Front Line, broken pieces of earthenware rum jars on which the letters SRD were still intact. He saw them on his way down.
“Ingliz” barbed wire still in use, miraculously not yet rusted, they saw that on their way back to Anafarta. They stopped for tea at a village teashop. The
At the end of his lengthy recount on the forgotten writer, C.J Richards’ life, U Aung Aye Myint exhaled smoothly in the living room where Lin and Oo were sitting in their seats. It was so true that both of them were lost in the narrative of U Aung Aye Myint who earnestly talked about the less-known British author who ever lived in Burma.In fact, U Aung Aye Myint told them a lot about the author’s life. So, Lin was thankful to U Aung Aye Myint. He understood that if he did not meet U Aung Aye Myint, he could not know about this author.Lin looked at the face of Oo who looked him back. And, Oo asked Lin, “Lin, do you have any questions to ask to U Aung Aye Myint? I think we should give a break to Uncle who talked continuously for nearly a day.”Lin nodded. But, U Aung Aye Myint said after taking some sips of water from a glass of water in front of him, “It’s alright. Don’t worry about me. I am really happy to talk to you
Chapter-12018, March, Yangon University, YangonLin thought that he should visit Yangon University after meeting a librarian who told him that he could find old Guardian Magazines at Yangon University library which was one of the best resources for book lovers and researchers.He knew that it was not easy to find those old periodicals in other places these days. If he found them luckily, he would have to pay a high price for them because they became rare. When he left his house, at first, he thought that he took a cab to go there, but he changed his mind because he needed to be thrifty in spending.So, on that day, he took a bus to Hle Dan which was the busiest part of the city. One would find many youths in this area. When he reached the bus stop, he got off the bus and crossed the road to walk towards the main entry gate of the university.Yangon University was very prominent a long time ago. He called
2018, March, at U Chit Tea Shop, Yangon University Campus When Lin went out of the building and took steps down, at the entrance of the compound he saw Oo and a girl who wore a pink blouse and a pink sarong with floral patterns. They were standing beside a Kankaw (ironwood) tree.The girl had a bun and she seemed a bit pretty in a Myanmar girl’s fashion. She stood very close to Oo. At first, Lin did not realize who the girl was. When he approached them, he saw that it was Pan Che who carelessly lost his poetry book. A faith grimace flickered across Lin’s face.Oo saw the sudden change in Lin’s facial expression, and so, he stepped in and embraced Lin’s shoulder.“Come on, Lin. Don’t stand there like a statue. You know Pan Che, right? She lived near here. I just bumped her at the bus stop when I descended from the bus and I told her that I came down to meet you at the library. She told
2018, March, Hle Dan Junction, Yangon Lin and Oo followed Pan Che who crossed the road quickly. They saw the famous shopping center called Hle Dan Centre ahead of them. As soon as the traffic lights turned green, cars and buses moved speedily because they had waited for almost ten minutes at the junction.People were walking along the pavements, and some were waiting at the bus stops. Some used the bridge to cross the road, some tried to cross the road without using the bridge. When they reached the corner of U Tun Lin Chan lane, Pan Che said, “Oo, I will call you later. See you. Bye for now.” In a minute she disappeared in the crowd who walked down the lane.At the corner, Lin saw a yogurt cart that sold yogurt on it and its name was Yogurt Seller with A Cart. It was well-known among people. Lin wanted to buy some yogurt for his uncle.He told Oo, “Oo, I want to buy some yogurt for my uncle when I go back home
2018, April, Sule Shangri-La Hotel Lobby, downtown Yangon An early Monday morning of the first week of April, Pan Che called Oo and inquired him that if he had told Lin about the art and heritage festival and what would be the answer from Lin. Pan Che was anxious to know it because she needed to reply to Eli about it in a couple of days.Oo knew that the job was suitable for Lin because the latter was interested in translation and his eagerness for being a writer who writes in English. He would get much experience and gain some recognition, working as a translator and coordinator for the festival.Pan Che said that if Lin was willing to take part in it, she would arrange the meeting with Eli and Lin somewhere downtown. They could meet at the Sule Shangri-La hotel lobby when things were arranged. Oo replied that he would call her back soon because he needed to ask the confirmation from Lin.As soon as Pan Che hung up, Oo called L
2018, April, Sule Pagoda Road, downtown Yangon When John and his colleague went inside the hotel restaurant after saying goodbye to them, Lin, Oo, Pan Che, and Eli left the hotel to meet the greetings of the heat of the noon sun with its scorching hand and that compelled them to walk very close to the shade formed by the tall building along the upper block of Sule Pagoda Road.The road has its name naming after 45-meter high Sule Pagoda which is situated in the street. It is surrounded by famous buildings like City Hall, Immanuel Baptist Church, and Mahabandoola Park.In fact, the word “Sule” is derived from “Suway” which means “assembly”. In “Ancient Monuments in Burma”, the time when the pagoda was built is mentioned and it was in B.C 326. It has gained its splendor by the successive renovation of devotees: Kings and subordinates alike.The pagoda is never devoid of pilgrims in i
2018, April, Thingyan (Water Festival) Celebration, YangonIt was only six-thirty in the morning and it was Akya day of Thingyan Festival. In fact, there were four days for the Thingyan festival days such as akyo (the eve of the festival), akya (the beginning of the festival), akyat (the mid of the festival), atat (the end of the festival).Lin woke up to hear noises coming from his neighbor’s house in which Padauk (gumkino) trees were grown. People in their ward gathered around the trees, some climbed up the branches to pick yellow flowers for themselves or their families.Those who were waiting at the foot of the trees were shouting loudly at those flower-pickers where they should go to pick flowers. Excitement and fun arouse their noises louder. Lin saw merriment in them when they were picking up those flowers.Thingyan (Water Festival) and padauk flowers are
2018, April, Thingyan (Water Festival) Celebration, Part-II, YangonAs soon as they left Mahabandoola Park, a huge crowd of people and cars blocked their way because of queuing up for their turn to show up at the adjacent pandal at which young people were holding and swaying water pipes for drenching revellers up.So, the four of them had to squeeze their way out of the crowd to reach the other side of Sule Pagoda Road. While revellers were waiting at their vehicles, they shouted out ribaldry to tease each other. Some lines were coarse and vulgar while some were acceptable.When the four friends happened to pass by a light truck, some guys on it shouted out teasingly, “Hey, sweeties, if you want to ride with us, it’s free for you but not your boys.” Lin knew that they were hinting at Pan Che and Eli who became piqued at the sheer blatancy.Seeing that, the guys said, “Don’t get upset, sweetie.