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Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins - (I just realized that I forgot to read the travel guide about Burma.) Bamboo People is about two young boys, one a city boy, one a village boy, now a refugee, caught up in a war they didn't want. It's youth fiction, so it's written with a simple sensitivity about the essential goodness of people. I loved it.
I leave on my trip tomorrow, and am still a little amazed that it's happening. Going to a whole new place for the first time in such a long time. I'm taking a little break from packing to write this, but have decided to go with the carry on size suitcase. It's a bit of a challenge, but I'll wear and use every thing I take. At least that's the plan. I think I'll post one picture on Instagram each day of whatever was the best or most or representative of that day. So at the end of the trip I'll have 12 memories of the trip forever. If I had a new computer, I'd post them here on herheartonhersleeve, but I don't, so Insta it is. The picture thing is way out of control, but there are pictures galore, so no one will ever have to wonder what I looked like! And with this blog, they won't have to wonder what I did or what I thought. They probably won't care, though. Which is fine. I don't even know if I care! I wonder if I'll ever return to these words to read them again. And how I'll feel if I do. And there you have it, I'm still thinking like a 13 year old. No wonder I like subbing in middle school better than elementary. What do you think, future self?
Twilight over Burma My Life as a Shan Princess by Inge Sargent - As a college student in Colorado, Austrian Inge Sargent fell in love with a student from Burma. She married him, and when he took her home to his country, she discovered that he was a prince, and that she was to be the new Princess of Hsipaw. Her story is beautiful and she lived an idyllic life until her husband, Sao Kya Seng was swept up in the tragic events of Burma's 20th century history.
Burma Rivers of Flavor by Naomi Duguid - Naomi has explored Burma for many years, concentrating on foods and flavors. Her book is so much more than a cookbook. I've learned about what to wear, how to pronounce letter combinations, and other nuanced information that will enrich my travel experience. For me, an easy travel guide.
I do have a Burma travel guide in my pile of books, but I'm avoiding it. It will be full of useful guidance, but I find guidebooks to be too much, because one can't see it all. I've come away from trips disappointed that I missed something that I wouldn't have known I missed if I hadn't read the guide. So did I miss it, really? Dance to the guide or dance to my inner spur of the moment? A combination of the two works best for me.
I just found out that there is a recent movie based on Twilight over Burma. I hope I can track it down and watch it before my trip. We probably won't be visiting that part of the country, but I'd love to see the story come to life.
Smile as they Bow by Nu Nu Yi - Continuing on with my Burmese reading list, Smile as they Bow is an unusual novel about the yearly Taungbyon Festival near Mandalay. Hordes of people come to the festival to celebrate and pray to the nats, or spirits of the festival, as well as the two Taungbyon brothers, for whom the festival is named. The main character is Daisy Bond, a trans woman who presides over a portion of the festivities by entertaining celebrants and leading processions through the Grand Palace. She was born U Ba Si, but lives as Daisy. Her efficient servant Min Min takes care of her and runs the business of her life. If it sounds complicated, it's because it is. In real life I'd find the whole spirit party festival gambling worshiping thing disconcerting, so it's great to be able to experience it by reading about it, instead of going to it. The author tells the story from the outside as well as the inside of both the named characters' lives as well as the attendees. It's a short but wild ride through an entirely unique experience on the other side of the world.
It's less than two weeks until I travel to Burma. I've started to put aside some clothes to pack and to think about whether I'm checking a larger suitcase or carrying on my smaller one. Not thinking about the long flight at all and haven't thought about anything more than that I want to have reading material at night. It's tempting not to take my phone or ipad but they both provide such entertainment on flights, that I probably will. Each book I read gives me another insight into the country and people, but I know I'll still be surprised in so many ways. Wait, what? not take my phone? It's my camera, so of course I'll take it. That's how long it's been since I've travelled.
A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan-Philipp Sendker - This sequel to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats was the perfect book to read in anticipation of my upcoming trip to Burma. 10 years after she first visited Burma, Julia goes back on a mission to discover the source of a troubling voice in her head that she is certain is not her own. The ensuing stories that are interwoven with her own are beautiful and moving. Her brother U Ba's wisdom coupled with the stories somehow inspire me to be more zen. One step at a time. Life might be all about attachment and what it means, and life is definitely about love. Read it.
A couple of weeks ago I made a reservation to go to Myanmar with my friend Nancy, then realized my passport wouldn't be valid because it was going to expire 4 months after I returned. Yes, you read right. Passports don't really expire on the date on the passport. They effectively are expired for most travel 6 months before the date on the passport. So I rush applied for a new passport, and it arrived in a week. Now I have to get my travel Visa, and I will be good to go. Somehow, ever since I made the plan to travel, I've been more at peace than I've been in ages. In preparation for the trip I have books to read about Myanmar, mostly fiction, one about food, and maybe a history or two. It's very exciting to be going to a completely new place. I don't want to know too much, same as before I read a book or watch a movie. I want to experience it with as much freshness and newness as possible. If there is a place that "must be seen" sometimes that isn't a place I really need to see. I have no idea whether it is still possible at this stage of my life to return from a trip changed and inspired; it happened all the time when I was young. We shall see.
