Kyats and Bhats

I don't think this posts needs many words. To summarize, I didn't bring a lot of money because I didn't want to buy things only to stuff them into boxes and move them around for the next fifteen years (there is a precedent) and I also didn't think that there would be much shopping to tempt me.

I was wrong about the tempting stuff. The craftsmanship in Myanmar is outstanding and I could easily have purchased more or better quality things. As it was, I had to ration my kyats and leave some money for Thailand.

The main place we shopped in Yangon was a market called Bogyoke (pronounced beau jeau). At first, my mom and us sisters were together and we were, quite simply, a spectacle. Four tall, white American women in a shopping area will soon find themselves surrounded by all sorts of peddlers and salespeople. We soon separated into twos, which was manageable, but still enough to draw the attention of some pesky and persistent sellers.

Sarah at Bogyoke Market. This marketplace was streets and streets and booths and booths of different shops. We shopped at a fraction of them.

My main ambition was to find a ruby. I had no idea when we first looked at some, that 90% of rubies come from Myanmar, but once I knew that fact...I had to have one. I really wanted to be able to say, in 30-50 years, "And here's the ruby I bought in Myanmar." much like my Aunt Ruth fascinated me with the origins of her exotic jewelry. Rubies, in any country, are not cheap though and my mother graciously offered to help me buy one as a belated birthday gift. Like any gem, there are various degrees of quality and, of course, the first several I looked at were between $700 and $1,000 dollars. Um....no.

I found this one, simply in its design which is what I'm all about, for $120. I think its gorgeous. It's got some flaws, but the cut and color are beautiful and its a good size too!

I didn't buy much in Thailand. Everything felt more...cheap and readily available. It wasn't that it wasn't beautiful but I didn't have the emotional attachment to the country like I had to Myanmar. They had beautiful things, especially the silk, but everything I bought, minus one magnet, was from Myanmar. All of my Bhats went to taxis, tips and food.

I purchased and my mom gave me several pieces of jade jewelry. Jade, like gems, varies in price depending on cut, color and translucence. This isn't high quality jade but I thought these necklaces were pretty and fun.

My mom gave me this fan she bought.

This is some Thanaka bark. This is the white stuff that the people put on their faces. They sand it down on a stone and add water. It acts as a sunscreen and also keeps the skin cool. Mostly, though, it is their make-up and has been for centuries.

Not so noticeable on the paler nation. But we do have it on our cheeks. It felt really good. Very cool and moisturizing.

Dr. Win presented us with gifts and this is hand woven from the Kachin state. It's beautiful in form and thought, but I have no idea where or when I'd wear it (it's a shawl).

A purse. Most kids use something like this as a bookbag for school.

I bought this at Boygoak for my boys. The woods are ebony and cherry wood. I asked if it came with a game board and the man looked a little confused. Unnecessary, he said. Use paper and draw boxes! Luckily, we have one already.

The Myanmar people are very well known for their in-lay work and painted laquerwear. This is bamboo and copper in-layed into a resin box.

And, of course, a statue! Our statue room wouldn't be complete with one! (Actually, this is my mother's and I brought it home for her. After their two years in China and eighteen months in Myanmar, their house will have a funky Asian fusion theme throughout).

Add the glass nativity I bought for myself, and I have lots of momentous and beautiful things to always remember this journey of mine. Most of me is glad to be finished writing about it, as a month has passed by and I've written about little else, but there is part of me that is sad it's over. I'm thankful to Jay, for allowing me this opportunity with my sisters and for taking a week off of work to be Mr. Mom. My friend, Melanie, who watched Henry and Sam for three very full days, my friend Rochelle who made sure Seth got off to school on the days Jay had to work, and my sister Maureen who picked Seth up everyday.

Thanks for your feedback and comments. I always appreciate readers, because it makes blogging more fun, but there are times I write for my own personal history, and this was one of those times.

We will now return to our regularly scheduled program.