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Yangon is the main gateway and capital city of Burma/Myanmar. It lies in the fertile delta country on the wide Yangon River about 30 clicks from the Andaman Sea. This war torn country has a resilient and calming nature about it. Most of the people are practicing Buddhists. You’ll find Buddhist monks in saffron robes walk
ing the streets with their begging bowls. These monks range in age from very young men and women to very old adults. In all our travels Rhonda and I felt the most peace here.
Funny this should be true since Burma has been under a brutal military junta since 1962. In fact when we arrived with our student and faculty compliment from the SAS ship we had gotten word that the government had “sterilized” the town in readiness for our visit. This meant removing transients, cleaning up the city and indoctrinating the populace on proper “politically correct” etiquette. There was a contingency on the ship who, in silent protest to the military rule, decided to remain onboard. It was my responsibility to document the student interaction with this culture, even though I am vehemently opposed to any military governmental rule, I felt it important to bear a witness.
I was moved by this ancient culture. The people have a soundness of heart, and a peacefulness of spirit about them that is difficult to put into words. You can feel a low hum of tranquility that resonates even in the midst of their oppression. One place you can 
experience it through the soles of your feet is the Shwedagon Pagoda. Known as the Golden Pagoda, it rises to a height of 321 feet, is adorned with gold plates and at the very top sits a 76 carat diamond. It is believed that Schwedagon contains a relic (physical remnant) of the Buddha. To savor the moment it is customary to walk the pagoda grounds in your bare feet. There are no lockers for your footwear; you never have to worry that someone will steal your shoes. As you stroll barefoot through the area around the pagoda each step is guaranteed to draw you deeper into a meditative state.
It is my wish that one day the world will experience the peace I felt in Burma, without the military junta aftertaste.
Please come back for the next edition when we visit Africa.
In the meantime, if you, your family or friends have any real estate needs please give me a call.
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