Travel: May 2008 Archives

It seems that every day, the news from Burma becomes more and more devastating. Today's New York Times reports that one of the boats carrying some of the first aid to survivors, hit a submerged tree in the river, and sank. The government continues to deny visas and entry to foreign workers and to confiscate the aid that does make it into the country.

I traveled in Burma last November, visiting a friend who was working with the medical non-profit Merlin. (Check out their Web site to learn more about the country, the disaster, and what people are doing to try to help.) I've posted a few pictures here from town on the banks of the Irrawaddy. Twante is largely known as home to a thriving pottery industry. More impressively, however as any local will proudly tell you, the bodhi tree inside Shwesandaw Paya blooms every year--a feat not even duplicated in the capital city's spectacular Schwedagon Paya. It is that spirit--of survival and of strength--that I try to keep in mind when reading the morning news.

To read about the country in the words of Aun San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader who has been held under house arrest, check out Letters from Burma.