Visiting Burma: correct image

[waysai]

Hi Herve,

Thank for your comment and concern.

[Furachan]

Yes Way Sai you were right I am sad to say. I called the Burmese Embassy in Tokyo, and it was all bad news: no individual tourist visas for Americans (in retaliation against Bush they said), probably to free taking of photographs (not even of the ubiquitous Shwedagon Pagoda!), and actually, no individual tourist visas for anyone. The junta wants you to go through an accredited tour (more control that way they think, and more money in their pockets too - choice of hotels etc.)
Still it seems to me they are stabbing themselves in the gut by killing off tourism, not just because of the profits they made from it (small in comparison to rubies sold to the Chinese etc.) but because of the prestige that is lost. The message to us tourists is that they are "ashamed" of Burma, ashamed of their own deeds, embarrassed about having people see Burma now. It is a complete defeat for them. Tourism was always their chance to brag, to go on about Burmese virtues and the beauties of the Golden land. Now they are virtually admitting that it is a land of atrocities with soldiers crawling everywhere, not fit for the eyes of the world.
In a terrible irony they and Aung San Suu Kyi have finally agreed on something, and for similar reasons it seems to me. She too is ashamed of what Burma has become under the gun.
Meanwhile it is my profound conviction after several visits that the great majority of Burmese (the same people who vote for the Lady) very much want outsiders to visit the country, and not just for money either. I doubt they (including 4000 out-of-work tourist guides and 10s of thousands of service industry people and crafstmen) are happy being isolated from the world like this, suffering in darkness.
Just my 2 cents. You may disagree of course...
Best regards,
Francis

[stiginthedump]

The Bamboo Curtain, eh?

If Burma is outta the question then i guess you'll have to make do with Costa Del Hanoi then Francis.

[Furachan]

Listen, mate, it could be worse... I'll spend 4 nights in Bangkok and then take an overnight sleeper to Chiang MAi where I'll spend 4 days and 3 nights before flying back here IN TEARS and INCHAINS ;o)))
Burma is still very much on my mind but what can a poor boy do, without a visa I mean? Most likely try again next year. It IS in spite of everything an enchanting place, a heartbreaking place, a tremendously photogenic place, would you agree?
Boy am I frustrated just thinking about t... I saw myself on that bloody Circle Line. Man, you're making me cry, Will. Naughty!

[stiginthedump]

What about Laos? Or maybe a short trip to Papau New Guinea (flights from Tokyo - i've checked before). 7 days in the city...make an interesting photo trip.

[Furachan]

Well yes, but Luang Prabang flights from BK were either all full or expensive and the city is all booked up with rejects from Burma ;o))) Going to Chiang Mai where I've been twice before but not for a while) was a lot more reasonable and there's plenty of photo ops there.
Papua New Guinea, eh? I never thought of that...

[stiginthedump]

Papua New Guinea...do it. I got two weeks off in February so maybe...