2018, Oct, a day’s tour in Yangon, Part-I
Lin continued to visit other significant buildings in Yangon for his monthly contribution to the magazine he was working for. He thought that he should visit them when he had time to keep his writing assignment punctual.
For today, he chose to visit St. Mary Cathedral which is situated on the upper block of Bo Aung Kyaw Street and so, he took a cab there. When he reached the gate of the cathedral, he got off the cab after paying the fare to the cab driver. Before he entered the church, he stood at the gate and looked at it in wonderment.
The magnificent and awe-inspiring St. Mary Cathedral is located in Bo Aung Kyaw Street. It is as grand as ever. Every visitor to Myanmar feels fascinated by its splendor and grandeur. The cathedral never fails to store respect in every visitor's heart. Being situated downtown, it can maintain its importance, compared to any other buildings in Yangon.
It has
2018, Oct, a day’s tour in Yangon, Part-IIThe 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
2019, March, Yangon With panting and perspiring, Lin woke up suddenly after having dreamt a bad dream. The room was dark and so, he was trying to fumble a jar of water and a cup beside his bed to cool him down. He found the jar and poured water into the cup and drank it after turning on the light bulb. Soon, he felt at ease. When he watched the clock, it said half-past one.He was fully awake and he knew that sleep would not come easily to him in this situation. He did not also want to lie down on the bed again. He stood up from the bed and walked outside. He tiptoed out of his room because he did not want to disturb his uncle’s sleep. When he was out of the house, Lin inhaled fresh air fully.He walked to and fro in front of the house for a while before he sat down on a charpoy under a mango tree. He was looking up at the night sky and found a crescent moon and several stars. Apparently, they were looking down at him. The who
2019, March, a literary event at Pansodan Scene, Yangon On Saturday, a week away from Valentines’ Day, Eli called Lin to come down to Pansodan Scene for a literary event and she thought that it would interest Lin. Lin reached Pansodan Scene at around 11 to attend the literary event.At first, he did not know what the event was. Later, when he entered the room, he saw “James Joyce’s event” organized by an Irish poet who lived in Yangon. When Eli saw Lin, she called him to sit beside her on a bench.Lin readily joined Eli who introduced him to the Irish poet who was also M.C of the event and the organizer of the event. The Irish poet extended his hand to Lin who shook his hands with him.Soon, the event opened and Lin saw some writers including Myanmar writers and foreign writers who would read some extracts from James Joyce’s works. For Lin, James Joyce's Dubliners always inspired Him. He really envied his li
2019, February, a literary walk, downtown YangonLin thought that on Sunday, he should take a literary walk in downtown Yangon. It was a part of his future plan because he would begin a literary walk around downtown. He needed to know some spots that were related to literary history and themes He discussed his plan with his uncle who told him that it was a good idea and encouraged him to do it pronto.. . .On Sunday, Lin left his house for downtown. While he was walking in the downtown streets, he asked this question, as for a Yangonite, what would be the best thing he or she could expect in a city like Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, apart from its burgeoning gorgeous restaurants, and splendid bars.Apparently, Yangon was never devoid of the fun and excitement any city dweller was looking for. In the downtown area, there were several colonial buildings that still maintained their grandeur and significance to visitors and vie
2019, February, Valentines’ Day, YangonLin would meet Eli on Valentines’ Day and Eli was quite happy about it. So, she exclaimed, “Valentine’s Day!” What thrilling word for me. Eli thought. She knew that this year Valentine’s Day would be really special for her because Lin and she became a couple, a month ago.It was such a happiness she felt when they found out they loved each other, especially reading his poem. She thought that one of the most blessed moments of their life was loving and understanding each other.She knew that Lin would love her sincerely because he must have spent much time to write a poem to court her. Every time, they met, he showed much care about her. Not a single time, he missed that task of taking care of her.Eli noticed that Lin all the time glanced at her whenever they met but he never came too close, and he kept his own distance. At first, he seemed a little bit far from h
2019, January, A Talk on Foreign Writers, Freelance Writer’s Club, YangonIt had been two days since Lin arrived back in Yangon from Mandalay's trip. When he went to the journal office, Editor John told him that there would be a literary talk organized by Freelance Writer’s Club.Editor John asked Lin whether Lin wanted to take part in it or not. If he was willing to participate, John could arrange for that. It would start on coming Saturday. Lin thought for a while and he agreed to take part in it. He told John that he would talk about foreign writers who ever visited Yangon (then known as Rangoon).John agreed that and he asked Lin to prepare a PowerPoint presentation. Lin counted the days and learned that it was five days away. When he left the office, he called Eli to come down to FWC on coming Saturday at about 10 am and he invited Oo and Pan Che to attend.. . .When Lin got back home, he took out some books
2019, January, A Trip to MandalayIn the first week of January, Lin’s uncle U Thein Lwin told Lin that he would go to Mandalay and he would like Lin to accompany him. They would go there by train. Lin called Eli and Oo that he would go on a trip to Mandalay on the second week of January and he would be back in three or four days.He told them that he would bring Htoe Mote (a kind of Myanmar delicacy) and Lapet (picked tea leaves) for them as souvenirs. Eli said Lin should take care of his health and she would come to see him off at the train station. Later, Lin called his editor John and explained to him that he would also visit some interesting places in Mandalay and he would contribute some stories of them to the journal after his trip. His editor agreed and so, Lin felt quite happy.. . .On the day when Lin left for Mandalay, at the train station, Eli arrived and saw him off. His uncle U Thein Lwin asked him wh
2018, December, New Year’s Eve, YangonOn the cab, Eli was thinking about Lin who gave her a poem on Christmas Night. She looked around to see Lin who was standing and waving at her at the corner. On the way home, she was so excited that she did not remember the time when she got home.On that night, she could not sleep well after reading the poem. It was so well-written and it could express the real feeling of Lin towards her. She was reflecting when she got firstly met Lin. Pan Che introduced her to Lin who was energetic and hard-working.She also liked his style and his relentless endeavor. She read the poem again and again until her eyes seemed droopy and finally, she slept. In the dream, she saw Lin who smiled down at him while he was extending his hand that she grasped.Soon, they were in a park, all beautiful flowers around them with butterflies flapping their colorful wings while both of them were enjoying the sceneries. At
2018, December, downtown YangonLast night, when he came back from the classical music concert at Chatrium Hotel, Lin could not sleep well because he was thinking about Eli. He thought that he had fallen in love with her. But, he could not reveal his real feelings to her because he thought that their friendship could be ruined if he disclosed his feeling towards her.He was rolling over the bed, sighing several times. He thought that he should talk it with Oo who would be back in Yangon tomorrow after their honeymoon trip. He wondered what Oo would say about that. He felt a little bit worried because if things went wrong, he could lose friends.Finally, an idea entered his head and he sat upon his bed before he went over to his table. He picked up a pen and wrote a poem. He felt that his feelings were dripping into the tip of the pen. It took nearly half an hour to finish the poem that he intended to give Eli.He felt satisfied now. At ab
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