Today we journey onward to a brand-new country. What a treat. However, leaving Myanmar is bittersweet. I’ve never seen or experienced anything like Myanmar and I certainly never will forget it.
Bagan was incredible! The religious capital of the country is filled with over 2,000 pagotas, or small temples, made of stone. The pagotas were constructed between the 10th and 12th centuries, and littered the horizon as far as the eye could see. The experience in Bagan was certainly a welcomed change from the party hostels and backpacker towns of Thailand. There was a greater curiosity and appreciation for the actual culture and history of a place. From Bagan, we headed to
Kalaw for one night so we could schedule and begin our three-day trek to Inle Lake. Fortunately for us, we were placed in an awesome trekking group. The first day was fantastic as we hiked 16 miles through rolling green hills and rice paddies. We got to know Rens and Lars; two extremely hilarious Dutch guys who were nothing but delightful, kind, and helpful. Rens, a 22-year-old medical student was traveling after volunteering with a program giving eye exams to Burmese children. One chat with Rens reveals how passionate and driven he is about optometry. Rens carried a big first aid kit and a hefty bag of cookies that he never hesitated to share with us.
Lars was a tall, bearded, red-headed man who expertly brings people together and never ceases to make them laugh. He took amazing photos and continuously waited for Amanda when she fell behind.
By the second day we were all great friends. Our feet were killing us and our bones shivered from hours of cold rain. We bought and finished some whiskey at lunch, purchasing more to drink at dinner. The rest of the second afternoon, Rens always took care to make sure I was doing OK. He often gestured for me to go ahead of him and helped me over rickety bamboo bridges. Not that I needed help, but the intent was appreciated. At night, we were exhausted.
Trekking AKA sweating, panting, and struggling all day really forces strangers to become real close, real fast. After 43 miles in 2.5 days, we finally made it to
INLE LAKE. We were exhausted and broken but so victorious. I remembered why I love this. But leaving is always, of course, the most bittersweet part of travel. I didn’t know that guys like Rens were still floating around. I’m so glad I met him and Lars. Our friendship with those guys was so genuine and pure; proving you don’t need alcohol or carnal lust for an unforgettable time.
When we arrived back in Mandalay at 3:30 am, we taxied to Ostello Bello, hoping they’d let us sit in their lobby before our noon flight. We ended up getting a bed and some breakfast, an unexpected surprise. We had no money for the taxi to the airport, but an American offered us some money in exchange for Venmo. It saved us just in time and reminded me how people are willing to help if one only remains open. The universe has been incredibly kind to us. I need to pay it forward.
As I fly over the cities, countryside, and blue sea, I feel calm and content. I feel emphatically and undeniably myself. No longer am I thinking about boys at home who lust but do not love and maybe do not even like. No longer do I feel compelled to navigate and control far away situations that may or may not exist. In this moment, it is me and here and now and this blue, blue sky. I am tanned and bruised, exhausted and scratched but I revel in this and all that is.