Random pictures and Burma.

Me in Luang Prabang- the old capital of Lao.



The Mekong- view from Vientienne, the "capital city" of Lao.






The Perfume River- As seen from Hue City, Vietnam.



Okay- so you only get like three pictures. Most of you have facebook anyway.

I sat down to tell you about life--now, in New orleans, and developments therein. Things are hectic, good, ...

But looking through my pictures,I realize all I want to talk about now is Burma. It's common for us to see developments in international news- riots, bombs, protests, coups. Sometimes we are really interested. I follow Democracy Now all the time--but now, for the first time, I read and I watch and I am nervous. For the first time protests-military rule-the slaughter of innocent monks and nuns-- is happening someplace I've been.

I wrote a long post when i returned from Burma last fall (sometime in october). Then a few weeks later I deleted it- honestly- for fear that it would scare my mom. It scared me. That place was completely overwhelming in ways that I still have trouble putting words to. And I don't really have words now- to describe how I see pictures of the protesters and cover my mouth- feeling a little knot in my stomach- feeling immense pride- and remembering terror. There was a moment in that place when I was absolutely terrified. I don't mean like roller coaster scared- it was the combination of horror and terror and fear-- all that combined in your body. At times that night it froze me and I couldn't move. Later it propelled me to maddening speed. And I was only there for a week. I was only terrified for one night-and upon reflection--I was totally fine. No physical damage done to me.

And now I see these people on the cover of the Times. They are a beautiful people- but I wondered when I was there how it was other people didn't sense the darkness there- the thick tenseness that pervaded everything they did. That fear.

And now look at them-fighting- or rather, being brutalized while they maintain states of non-violence. The Burmese and dozens of other ethnic groups that comprise that land--they are not my people to be proud of--but I am so proud of them.

I just want to say how remarkable and strong and courageous these people are for standing up to such a dark, cold, terrifying, brutal power. Living in this place we cannot imagine it- not really. I suppose my week there is helping me to imagine, however, and...

well, i just don't know what to do, and since i am without a paper journal this will have to do for now- for my stumbling over words and frustrations.

Hopefully some SASers here in NOLA will be doing somekind of a protest drive- I think my friend said it was going to our government. UN troops? I don't know- I don't know that they've ever really worked anyway. How about this- I will figure something out and post it- god knows what a petition drive will really do- but - oh blah- help in any way you can. okay? they deserve support.

streets of rangoon/yangon