BurmIslamic hospitality

Yep, still posting about Burma. Even after two months of leaving! And even so, this is by no means JUST a travel blog. All inspirational posts. Bear with me, bear with..

I'm certain that those who have visited Burma, would concur, that what makes Burma that tad extra bit special is not only the mystical scenery, but the kind-natured personas of the Burmese population. I wouldn't be able to tell you how many times I experienced their genuine hospitality, kindness, smiles, sweetness - and most being out of the blue. I'm not all in it for love and am far from being a happy-go-lucky--finding-goodness-with-all traveller. But after generalised analysis..they are, just awesome.

It's not just the pure Burmese of the country, it's the different ethnic minorities that form the 58.8 million+ population. We have, in addition to the Burmans...the Shan, Karen, Rakhine, Chinese, Indian, Mon, Nepalese (don't get me started on the foods that these ethnicities generate in this one country!).


Some potential reasons why they are so top-notch
- Perhaps due to their suppressed government military regime and their once closed country...
- Perhaps Burma sees fewer tourists (less than the main chunk of S.E. Asia)...
Plenty of reasons. Or,
- Perhaps it's that Buddhist element of a country...?

Though, on that note, I'm going to share with you ONE example of many hospitable experiences with a bunch of Burmese Muslims.

Walking around at dawn in any city is fascinating - watching the day begin, colours emerging and ever-changing, the air is cleaner and fresh, birds are a-tweeting, the early-risers are slightly more intriguing that the day wanderers. What I also enjoy witnessing are the small businesses opening..




6am: Yangon, we strode by the Muslim area and by a very busy mosque, we came upon the only open 'busy' tea shop/chapati stall. The spicy aromas arising from the street stall were tremendous (try combining that with the moist fresh air!). Morning prayers were just finishing and we were nicely welcomed to sit on the plastic stalls amongst some splendid Muslim locality. Often quite straight-faced to begin with, this group of men were carrying strong smiles and intriguing attitude. Little English and obviously no Burmese, we manage to communicate. I admire their calm natures. These men meet about five times a day, everyday - before, during and post prayers, so they're practically family. Whilst sipping our delightfully sweet Burmese Laphet (milky tea) and 'conversing', we are confronted with some delicious chick pea curry egged dishes and chapati(?) for breakfast. I wouldn't be able to tell you the names of these dishes...but street food has got to be utmost flavoursome.

It turns out they pay for our meals. Appreciated! Immensely. And we arrange to meet later in the day (this time, lunch on us). Lunch, paid for again (?!). We meet them the next morning at 7.30am, breakfast and laphet once again - they pay. So unnecessarily, yet they insist. It's their kind gesture to say 'Thank you for visiting our country'.

We meet again, we try to exchange gifts. One gives me his pen 'So you remember me..' he pleads. Then his friend proudly places his well-used greasy comb with many-a-hairs in front of me, 'My gift to you, so you remember me'. It feels terrible to say No, but seriously, what am I to do with a used comb?!! I kindly smile, and beckon a 'It's ok, thank you! You might need it...'. In return, I have nothing to give...a strand of head hair maybe?! Instead, I can only offer my shoddy art skills and sketch them in a fairly rushed awkward way. We enjoy their open chats, their smiles and good hearts. On the final day, one of the guys gives a gift of jade gemstone. Wow. Mine, wedged in a gold pendant...'We love Burma, we hope you do too. We want to say THANK YOU, for visiting our country. Come again next year.'

Just talking to them was appreciating enough, but a jade gift and brilliant hospitality. Heart-rendering!
To be treasured..

I know that living there is completely different to visiting. But just imagine a nation that's suffered aplenty over the years and a majority still sustain this attitude...love it.

Chezu tinbade!




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