Myanmar
il 31 ottobre - 9 novembre
The Ayeyarwady, the Burmese name for the principal river and most important commercial waterway in Myanmar, runs throughout the center of the country and has played a crucial role in its history - culturally, economically, and politically. Early ancestors from the China-Tibet border arrived in the 6th century to use the river as a means of transport and, over the centuries, domination shifted from power to power, depending upon who had the strongest army; the desire always being to have control over trade routes. The river banks and delta areas saw the growth of culturally diverse settlements and, depending upon the climate (dry zone vs. areas with more rainfall), the development of different agricultural regions as well.
My mornings on the river were quiet and reflective; the water was gentle, the small fishing boats would pass by, the pagodas would appear in the lush hills, and work in the villages would start up again. The river is a lifeline, not only for transportation, but for bathing, laundry, cooking, and children at play. Each day on the water brought with it another glimpse into the mystery of this country, but as much as I saw and as much as I learned, I know that truly knowing and understanding a culture can only come from living within it…its traditions, its philosophy of life, its rules, its history, its joys and sadness.
An introduction to the Irrawaddy…
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