Don't call it a junta

 

Here are some thoughts on the first few weeks of February 2021. The tatmadaw(myanmar military) arrested Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1. It didn't really seem real at first. They charged her with illegal importation of 6 walkie talkies. They said the vote was rigged. They issued rules that they were not be referred to as a junta and that it wasn't a coup but a cabinet reshuffle. But it was real, and it has unfolded in a surreal, strange mess of days. 

There were international condemnations. Words that were appreciated by the protesters but have since amounted to not much in the way of action. As one local paper put it- no help is coming.

So people took it upon themselves to be the change. Huge crowds that peacefully marched and cheered. They had humor- dressing in evening gowns and cosplay. They had compassion giving food and water to police. They even cleaned up after themselves. (a note: None of the following pictures are mine- lifted from images)

It was also inspiring to see the art that rose to the forefront. Here are a few variations of the hunger games fingers that the protesters adopted. They come from a powerful organization called art for freedom and are worth checking out. 

a few more posters reference the banging of pots and pans. Every night at 8pm a loud chorus arises in the city. This is the same as what would happen in Venezuela when we lived there. If you question the importance or power of this, consider: You might feel alone in this world. Even more so due to covid19. Even more so when a coup has happened. The banging of pots and pans isn't just a noisy release of pent up anger/ energy. Its a connection and its beautiful.

I am not sure what this one says but that font is on point

The milk tea alliance references the neighboring countries that have all had their share of ruling parties that weren't wanted. Strength in numbers.

But things have changed. It doesn't feel festive anymore, people are being shot in the street. It is not good.

So wherever you are in the world, bang on a pot tonight at 8pm and raise your 3 fingers. I know gestures don't topple dictators, but there is an energy in connections and the Burmese need some energy from you.

Nats in the night

There is a huge banyan tree at the end of our little road that we ride by every day on the way to school. Like many big trees in Myanmar it has little houses with figures, candles, and glasses inside. Some have buddhas as well but mostly these are the houses for nats.  Nats are spirits that can help you... or play tricks on you. There are different nats for different reasons, one will keep your children safe, one will help your new business venture. Here is a good article that tells you some of the others.

Lisa and I took a walk the other night. Our hearts have been heavy as the daily news in Myanmar is getting worse by the day. It was nice to be out though, just amble along and let the dogs sniff and go their slow curious dog pace. There was no traffic as we were about 30 minutes before the curfew so we could be curious dogs too. We looked closer at the nats and also saw some graffiti.

 I like the idea of pouring a drink or leaving some fried chicken for a nat to ensure better luck on my next wager. Or to leave some candy and an egg with another to keep my children safe.

I so wish it was as easy as leaving something at the base of a painting and it would ensure her release, or end violence and repression. Or keep 19 year old daughters from being shot.

Its hard when you want to help but you don't know what to do. So if there are any nats out there listening and needing something- phone in those orders- I'll see what I can do.

The night jam

 

Today in my head I rode the tennessee pass night jam. Today in my heart I rode with Myanmar.

The tennessee pass night jam is a yearly shenanigan cooked up by Sterling Mudge and the cloud city wheelers. Its a bike race, on snow, at night, at 10,000 feet, at Ty and Roxanne's nordic center. There is no good reason to do it. There is every reason to do it.

Ready for an understatement: It has been an interesting week in Myanmar. The protests have been growing daily as citizens are unwilling to allow their fragile democracy to be taken away. They have shown compassion, humor, and unwavering bravery as they take to the streets. I have felt a strange sense of helplessness as I observe things from the side. There are a few factors at play inhibiting my ability to protest but for some reason, riding in the dark snow of home was my way to say I ride with Myanmar. In the big picture a bit meaningless, but for me- for whatever reason it was much needed.

The set up:

1. beer socks. 2. set the AC to 20 degrees (brrrr). 3 find a youtube channel with fatbike race footage (there are surprisingly many) 4. Bonus! found a short clip of Brian Fedema in his bike shop. 5. Crank the tunes and ride!

And I rode! like the wind. (also I had a huge fan on me the whole time, like a tailwind) I rode with Myanmar. I rode with the friends I've made here. I rode with their hopes for the future. I rode with everyone that smiles at me when I say a very foreigner "Mingalabar" as I ride by. I rode with Mike Simpson. I rode with friends back home grieving for Adam, Seth, and Andy. I rode with Todd Huck. I rode with Symon Hayes. I rode with Jeff Apps. I rode with Jason Nepp. I rode with Ty and Roxanne Hall (albeit quite far behind them). I rode with Sterling Mudge and Brian Fedema. I rode with all of the teachers out there that have put up with less than fun teaching conditions. I rode with Mort. I rode with my family- you are all amazing. I rode with my awesome kids. I rode with Lisa- the love of my life, who makes everything better.

Sweaty and fashionable. As usual.

Mission 7- pajama jammy jam

This mission might seem out of order... and it is. I cycle past this shop every day to school and my mission was to get family pajamas made for all of us. It is quite wonderful seeing families out and about in their pajamas here on the weekend.

I chose the fabric, pantomimed the sizes, and left as this sweet woman said "tomorrow, tomorrow"

Well, I certainly had fun going back every day of break and laughing with her as we both would say "tomorrow tomorrow" In the end it seems I only ordered pants so will have to pick up the tops for Lisa and Luca... tomorrow.
 

Now, who's excited for their new pajama jammy jams?

This is the look Lisa gives Luca when she is thinking "if you smile or laugh at his jokes you'll only encourage him to tell more".

mission 11- the yangon marathon... sort of

 Usually around this time of year (give or take a few weeks) the Yangon Marathon is held. It was a really fun experience last year as we started in the dark and ran all over the city. I figured it was not going to happen this year and needed an outlet for all of these running miles I have been logging (that was typed in a very sarcastic font).  

Alright, so I have been running a little bit (sort of), I do want to participate in a race (sort of), and I do want a good social with friends (no sort of there!)

With that, welcome to the Yangon (sort of) Marathon

The idea was to have a 5k loop that everyone could run as many times as they wanted. Then we would have some beer and cokes after. 

Here is the course (Tom Kiddoo inspired).

As inspiring as the running of the bulls in Pamplona:  Here is the start

Luca and Fabian were in charge of cold drinks and music.

Liz and Gavin graciously offered to skip the run and guard the beer

The podium and the puppies

Thanks to everyone that came, that was a fun last mission. For a break where I would have rather been off adventuring I think we did all right kicking around our fair city.

Mission 10 Mogok noodles

 

When someone mentions "That place has the best Shan noodles in town." You write it down. First I made sure I knew where the Shan state was (in the east- borders China, Laos, and Thailand. Then we went for noodles!

Dan had told me about it on our photo walk from earlier and I finally worked it into a mission. He mentioned they have very good soup but as we were going the take away route- noodles won.

 Lisa and I taxied downtown and had a nice stroll about. Grabbed some good beers at the teahouse, found a book at the bookshop. 

Saw some cool doorways as well (you always do it seems)

We got home around 3 and what was going to be our dinner turned into an afternoon snack! I swear I was just going to try a little. It was very very good! Thanks for the tip Dan.

The little bag below ended up being pickled vegetables- my fear was that it would be spicy. The little bag above was soup- turns out what Lisa ordered really did need soup. We were careful, didn't spill a drop, and it was amazing

On the way home we saw this sign... ketchup?