2018, Oct, a day’s tour in Yangon, Part-II
The National Museum
After visiting the Holy Trinity Church for note-taking and photographing for about forty minutes, Lin thought that he should visit the National Museum because he knew that he would learn quite a lot visiting the museum.
He took a bus to the museum. It took only ten minutes to reach the museum. As soon as he entered the museum, big bronze statues depicting ancient Myanmar warriors were waiting for him.
They were so grand to look at. Standing at the entrance, he was waiting for the entry into the museum. He needed to keep his bag and cell phone in the locker box and only his notebook could be brought into it. He needed to pay Ks-500 for entry fees. And the ticket collector tore his ticket to make sure he had paid for the entry fees.
On the ground floor, there were displays of Myanmar alphabets according to successive periods-Bagan, Pinya,
2018, November, at Oo’s place, downtown YangonOo became more anxious as their wedding date was coming nearer. These days, he could not contact Lin who was busy with his writing assignments and so, they could not meet regularly. But, today, Oo thought that he should call Lin to discuss more on the wedding ceremony that would be held in December.Oo called Lin, “Hey, Lin. Are you free today? Can you come down to my flat this morning?” Lin just woke up and he sounded croaks, “Sure, Oo. But, I will be at your place around 10:30. Is that fine?”Oo replied quickly, “Fine, Lin. As long as you come to me, it’s alright. I will be waiting for you at my place.” Then, he hung up the phone.. . .At about 10:30, Lin hurriedly ascended the steps to reach Oo’s flat. He knocked at the door that was open by Oo who smiled broadly at him for greetings. “Good morning, Lin. Man, you are quite
2018, December, Central Hotel, downtown Yangon Lin woke up early today and he was quite fresh because he had to go to Oo’s wedding ceremony. He was also happy because he would meet Eli at the wedding reception. He wondered how gorgeous and pretty Eli would be with a formal dress. At that time, he heard his uncle call him and he hurriedly left his room for his uncle’s. When his uncle saw him, his uncle said, “Lin, am I going with you to the reception?” Lin nodded with a smile, “Yes, uncle. Oo has also invited you.” Nodding his head, his uncle left for the living room to read a newspaper while Lin went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Lin quickly fried rice with chickpea and prepared tea for them. He laid the table and he went into the living room to inform his uncle of the readiness of the breakfast. While they were having their breakfast, his uncle asked Lin, “Lin, do you know Oo’s fiancée? Is she a fine girl?” “Yes, unc
2018, December, Honeymoon TripHpa-An CityOo and Pan Che stayed at Parami motel in Hpa-An because one of their local friends suggested it. Last night, they slept well after having dinner. This morning they woke up early. Actually, Pan Che woke Oo up to see the beauty of the morning.They both walked up to the veranda of the motel and from it, the panoramic view of Hpa-An was rather striking, with the rising rays of the Sun. They did not speak to others while they were enjoying the scenery.The rays were spreading gradually across the sky and painting it with many beautiful colors while the Zwel Ka Bin Mountain stood against the colorful sky so that viewers seemed lost in its beauty and attraction.Both of them inhaled cool wind across the mountain. They noticed the main road called Bogyoke Road was crossing the city from north to south on which photoshops, vinyl shops, handset shops, and restaurants lied. But, few
2018, December, Cloud Art Gallery, Chinatown, YangonLin called Oo and he said that they would come back to Yangon in two days. Lin was sure that Oo must be very happy on his honeymoon trip because he sensed much felicity in Oo’s voice when he talked to Lin.At that time, a call came in and Lin picked it up. In fact, it was Eli who called Lin said that she would need some favor from Lin. One of her friends who came back from Singapore wanted to open a new art gallery in the downtown area. She wanted Lin to cover the opening ceremony of the gallery.Eli said, “Lin, do me a favor. I want you to write a review on a new art gallery of my friend. He is looking for a freelance writer to write for his gallery. Can you do it for me?”Lin thought for a while and he replied, “Sure, Eli. I will. When should I meet him at his gallery?”Eli said, “He will open his gallery coming Tuesday morning at 9:30. You c
2018, December, Yangon Book Plaza, Chinatown, YangonLin hurriedly went up the stairs to the fifth floor of Than Zay (Iron Bazaar) to reach Yangon Book Plaza. The bazaar was situated in Chinatown. The plaza housed book shops, publishing houses, recreation areas, and coffee shops.Actually, the plaza had a playground for children, souvenir shops, a restaurant, two big book shops, bookstalls, an entertainment platform, vintage bookstalls, an English-language bookshop, and other public spaces. It opened daily from 10 am to 9 pm.The plaza was the first of its kind, not only in Myanmar but also in Southeast Asia. It served as a place not only to sell books but to provide other services, including recreation areas where books could be read free of charge.The idea was initiated by late writer Min Lu, who wanted to open a book supermarket. His dream had now come true. They also held literary talks and invited schoolchildren.. .
2018, December, Lokanat Gallery, YangonOn Monday of the third week of December, the new editor John called Lin to attend and cover the art exhibition at Lokanat Gallery on Pansodan Street. When the call came in, Lin was about to leave his home for the office.Lin was supposed to meet Oo and Pan Che but their trip had not finished because they continued their trip to Dawei. So, Lin would meet them in a few days.He heard the editor’s voice and he noted down what he had to carry out for the day. Apart from covering the art exhibition, he also needed to go to write a review on the photo exhibition at National Museum.His adrenaline was surging because of the job’s assignment. Instead of taking a bus, Lin hailed a cab and told the cab driver to take him to Lokanat Gallery at the corner of Pansodan Street and Merchant Road.When he arrived at the gallery, he paid the fare and the taxi left him. Lin easily walked up the crea
2018, December, Dawei City, Thanintharyi DivisionOn the last night of their honeymoon trip, Pan Che was nagging and so, Oo was vexed. They stopped talking to each other, carrying sullen faces. Oo sensed that if he persisted in vexation, it was wrong, and he could settle the problem. So, Oo yielded and asked her the cause of being sour-minded.Then, she explained with pouted lips that she did not want to go back to Yangon. Instead, Pan Che insisted that she wanted to go down to Dawei to visit the famous Maung Ma Kan Beach in Dawei, and so, Oo had to agree with her plan.On the next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, both of them went to the Mawlamyine bus terminal to wait for an express bus for Dawei. When they reached the bus terminal compound, they found several people waiting for their respective buses while vendors were shouting out their local products to them. Some passengers were going back to Yangon and some were continuing their tri
2018, December, Chatrium Hotel, YangonLin was longing to meet his friend Oo and Pan Che who would be back on the morning of Christmas Day. When he called them, they said that they were now in Dawei and they would take tomorrow’s morning flight to fly back to Yangon.These days he had several assignments and appointments because the editor John told him that their media company would publish a weekly journal soon. He was happy for being busy but he thought that he would have less time to meet friends.At that time, a phone call came in and he picked up to hear Eli’s voice. Eli said, “Lin, it’s Eli. Are you free this evening around 7 p.m? I would like to go to a classical music concert at Chatrium Hotel. Can you accompany me there?”When Eli called, Lin was sitting at his writing desk and he was about to finish his last article on contemporary Myanmar art. He quickly replied, “Sure, Eli. I am free this e