Myanmar

For our next country, we are heading to Indochina, the area of southeast Asia consisting of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, so named due to the influence of China and India on the culture. 

As Americans, we know Myanmar as Burma. Maps say: Myanmar (Burma), the people are referred to as the Burmese. So what should you call it? Well, it's complicated.

In 1989,  the ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. Basically, countries were taking a political (or moral, depending on who you listen to) stand by calling it Burma or Myammar. The U.S in particular thought that the decision of renaming the country belongs to 'all people'. 

As a result, the U.S. was on the side of 'Burma' as it refused to recognize the new regime, due to their suppression of the minority Rohinga people. The Rohinga  are a Muslim minority and were considered by the regime to be 'illegal immigrants' from Bangladesh, though many of the Rohinga people have only known life in Myanmar/Burma. (In some ways, it seems similar to the dreamers in the United States, giving me further pause about this slippery slope we seem to be going down. But, that's a debate for another day.) 

Most countries were on the side of Burma, but eventually the  UN began to recognize it as Myanmar, as well as other big name countries like France and Japan. But not in places like the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

It was a big deal when Obama visited in 2012. He often tried to avoid using the country name, and would say things like 'your spectacular country', but eventually he called it Myanmar. 

But, as the years go on, things change. In 2015, the first free election was held. And more recently 'Burma' and 'Myanmar' have been used interchangeably. With the Aung Suu Kyi in government, travelers can feel more comfortable visiting the country that lies along the Bay of Bengal. 

Although, Myanmar still struggles with human rights violations, and the Rohinga people are still suffering. It's a complicated crisis, I can't possibly cover in my little blog.  But for our blogging purposes, we're going to go with Myanmar. 

So lets move on to our landmark, the 2,500 year old Shwedagon Pagoda. 

Buddhism is an important religion to the Burmese people. Eight to Ninety percent of the county identifies as Buddhist. 

If estimates are correct, it is the oldest Pagoda in the world. While temples and stupas can be found all over the country, this one is the most ornate and famous of them all. 'The crown jewel of Burma' as it is called, sits a top of a hill, and is believed to be indestructible (adding credence to this is the fact it has survived a fire and multiple earthquakes.) 

 It is said to enshrine strands of Buddha's hair, and other holy relics. On the peak of the pagoda there is 5,448 diamonds, 2,317 rubies, and 1,065 bells made out of gold. For the people of Myanmar, it is the most impressive and sacred Buddhist site in the whole country. 

It is also a symbol of national identity, and was a site of much of the activity of Myanmar's independence movement. 

Though it had only been an independent country since 1948, it was founded in 849 AD. Because Myanmar has been so closed off to the world, it has yet to enter the 21st century, making a visit to the country almost like time traveling. 

Adding to the fascination of this country is the diversity. It's odd that the government would choose to suppress a particular group,  because Myanmar is actually a very diverse country with 135 different ethnic groups. 

The Intha people can be seen paddling their boats with their feet. 

The Kayan people are renowned for wearing brass rings they wear around their necks. 

Myanmar's landscape includes thick jungles full of animals including tigers, elephants, and rhinos. They also have the snub-nosed monkey has an upturned nose, which makes them sneeze every time it rains. 

Mynamar is known not only for its golden stupas (including one balanced on top of a rock hanging over the edge of a cliff), but also for it's rubies and jades. 

They are one of only three countries to hold out against the metric system (Liberia and the United States are the other two), and weights are measured in viss (thanks google home for all the help converting!). 

The boys made their Myanmar postcards. 

 

Calib's featured the pagoda on top of the rock, and rowing boats with feet.

Peyton's featured the Kayan woman with a whole lot of rings around her neck. 

And Hayden's featured the Shwedagon Pagoda. 

For dinner we had Burmese Pork and Vegetable Curry over rice noodles. 

This one earned four-ish spoons up. 

I thought it tasted a lot like the soup from the Budhist Temple, so as far as a one bowl dish for dinner, I was a fan. Hayden didn't enjoy the rice noddles and kind of picked at it. 

Calib liked it, until after dinner when he found out there was fish sauce in it. Then he said 'no, give it zero spoons up, fish sauce is disgusting.' But, he did eat the whole dish, and enjoy it until Asa had to go and ruin it and tell him about the fish sauce. 

We colored Myanmar in the light brown color to the east of red India and west of blue Thailand. 

That's 161 down, 35 to go! 

Next Up: Bulgaria