THE HAIRY GIRAFFE… IN MYANMAR
After two weeks in Myanmar, it’s time to reflect. How did we experience this journey? What were our joys, disappointments, questions, doubts, and discoveries? This is not merely an assessment of a country but rather of a trip—how we perceived it individually and subjectively.
 We are François and Benjamin, Canadian and French giraffe hairstylists and travel enthusiasts. On this blog, discover our travels, tips, moods, and everything you need to become a giraffe hairstylist and embark on travelling the world. An honest blog with photos guaranteed 100% unfiltered and untouched. |
François’ Travel Reflections
While watching a TV documentary about Myanmar, the desire to explore this country struck us. The images of immense Buddhas and ‘forests’ of stupas were mesmerizing. Myanmar was also my first opportunity to discover Asia (with a Christmas atmosphere as a bonus!). For a first experience, I couldn’t have asked for more.
The Warmth of the People
I pictured Southeast Asia with crowded cities, overflowing roads with cars, stalls of fruits and vegetables in all shapes and colors, bicycles, tuk-tuks everywhere, absent or damaged sidewalks, and lots of people. Put like that, it doesn’t sound very appealing, and one might wonder why choose to go. However, in reality, it’s truly amazing!
Before leaving and without quite knowing why, I feared that Myanmar might resemble several countries we had visited, where tourists are besieged by locals who see them merely as walking wallets. But no, not at all. The people there are simply adorable, smiling, kind, and welcoming. The language barrier is not a hindrance to the relationship and actually makes conversations livelier (and more gestural). Moreover, as a tourist, you will be approached very easily. The younger ones especially will want to talk to you to practice their English. There’s also a good chance that locals will ask to take a photo with you.
Westerners are rare and evidently something fascinating. Hence, you might very well be asked to stop so that someone can come and stand beside you for a quick snapshot. While it may seem very strange at first, you’ll quickly get used to it and almost feel like a Hollywood star on vacation (we were almost signing autographs!). Who knows, maybe like us, you’ll also experience timeless moments where a father entrusts you with his young child or a family of twenty people rushes over to pose alongside you?
Breathtaking Sites
Mandalay, Inle Lake, Bagan… so many places we’ve all heard of and that are dreamlike. In Mandalay, visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda in a longyi (see below) to the rhythm of bell sounds is soothing. Dare to leave the city and visit the monasteries on the outskirts (special mention to the completely wooden Shwe Nandaw and Shwe in Bin monasteries), they will surely charm you. Make the effort to wake up in the middle of the night to witness the sunrise on the U Bein Bridge, and you will emerge transformed.
Discover Lake Inle aboard a boat and observe the fishermen maneuvering with their leg using an ancient technique. Then, disembark to savor the colors, scents, and the lively atmosphere of the market; trust me, it’s priceless. Also, take the time to wander through the maze of pagodas in Bagan, and you’ll feel like time has stopped and you’re alone in the world (despite the site being crowded, it’s hard to express how magical it truly is).
What Else Can I Say?
It’s hard to talk about Myanmar without mentioning longyis. It’s a type of traditional skirt worn by everyone (men and children included). Upon our arrival in Mandalay, we were intrigued by this attire and hastened to acquire one. Let me tell you about the magical moment we experienced when the vendor tried to explain how to wear it and, most importantly, how to tie it properly.
It may seem silly to do, but there’s a real technique if you don’t want to create a diplomatic incident by ending up in your underwear in a temple after your longyi has fallen off. Our incompetence greatly amused the poor vendor’s two colleagues. Anyway, once you’ve mastered the longyi, it’s remarkably comfortable and practical (especially in regulating your body temperature).
Myanmar is also the realm of Buddhas. I’ve lost count of the number of seated, reclining, or standing Buddhas we saw during this journey. Buddhas of various sizes and colors, made of wood, bronze, or stone, some beautiful and some less so… It’s very impressive to witness the devotion of the Burmese people to Buddha, to see them move from one temple to another to pray extensively and to cover Buddha with various offerings (baskets of fruits, money, jewelry, etc.).
We ourselves engaged in the act of offerings at the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay, applying gold leaves to a Buddha whose body had become misshapen over time due to the accumulated leaves. Even for a non-Buddhist, the gesture itself and the entire protocol around it have something very serene and calming.
If you’re heading to Myanmar, expect to see an impressive number of temples, pagodas, and stupas. While some are immense and magnificent like the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay and the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, others are more secondary. Not to mention Bagan and its 2,000 pagodas…
My point is that there’s a risk that during your journey, the pagodas and temples might start to feel a bit overwhelming, and you might begin to find them all identical, tired of taking off your shoes for yet another temple visit. Plan ahead and identify the temples and pagodas you consider essential, and balance your ‘consumption’ of religious monuments along your route, or you might miss out on something worthwhile.
Is Myanmar worth visiting?
I lack perspective and means to compare my experience in Myanmar with other Southeast Asian countries. According to fellow travelers, Thailand and Vietnam are equally (or even more) interesting and more tourist-friendly than Myanmar.
Nevertheless, as a newcomer to the region, I must admit I have very fond memories of my time in this country. The people are endearing and welcoming, the Buddhist culture is pleasant and not overwhelming, and there are magnificent sites to behold. However, I could completely understand if a tourist accustomed to Southeast Asian countries finds little interest and novelty in visiting Myanmar. On the other hand, they might see it as an opportunity to discover a country that has not yet been (too) overrun by tourists.
Check out Benjamin’s Travel Reflections:
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