DAY111: Yangon, Circle train (the 'O' day)

27/09/2016 16:55

7am: On my own today for the first time in weeks! Officially, today is my 111th day travelling, so one-one-one. Of course I want to celebrate that properly, and my challenge today will be to start every sentence with an 'O' just like 'one'.

8am: Only slept 5 hours because a lot of people checked out early - including Tom - but I have a lot of time to rest today.

10.30am: Overwhelming feelings affect me as I'm re-reading my blog to correct it. OMG there are stories that are so funny, I'm so glad I started it and kept doing it during the whole trip.

11.30am: Obviously need to eat something substential before the circle train which takes you on a 3-hour ride around the City of Yangon. On the whole, I heard mixed reviews about it but I have time to kill for my last day in Yangon.

12.30pm: Once again am amazed by how helpful people are here. On my way to the train station, I was wondering which way to go and two guys came to my rescue.

1pm: One o'clock sharp at the station, perfect timing. Outside temperature is hardly bearable so I don't feel too bad about spending 3 hours indoors.

Oops I have a little stomach ache, just hope it's not the street food I had earlier. Out of my head the idea of going to the toilet in this train, especially for number 2.

1.15pm: Obliged to listen to some crappy techno music that a middle-aged guy is playing really loud on his cell phone. Ouch!

1.30pm: On board and it looks like a French suburb train where people continuously come and go and offer food and drinks. Ordinary Asian train trip I would say.

2pm: Oh wow, just noticed that there are no doors to the train so you can basically jump off if you need!

2.30pm: Obviously concerned by the tremendous amount of trash all along the railway, they really need to find solutions and start educating people about pollution.

2.45pm: OK I have to admit, the train ride is not outstanding. Or to be more accurate, you don't need to spent 3 hours in it because all you can see is the back of the houses. Other possible option which is the best in my opinion: go there with a pal, get some beers and have an aperitif in the train. Often people are very kind so you can even ask people to join you :-)

3pm: Oddly enough, when I want to drink badly, there is noone around to sell me water. On the station platform, there is a huge fruit market going on but still no water, I'm jinxed! Ought to manage my water reserves better.

Oblivious to the water problem, the train is taking us in a junglish part which is quite far away from the city center apparently, I guess villagers need public transportation for commuting. Observing people in the train eating all the time is very impressive!

3.45pm: Overcome by tiredness now cause the train rocked me, all I dream of is my bed and a bottle of fresh water.

4pm: Opportunity to buy water never occured in the train, so if you want to do the tour, bring a lot of water!

4.15pm: Overcute monk beginner sat right next to me and stared at me with curiosity, couldn't resist taking pictures of him - discreetly, needless to say.

Overall, Yangon City is really spread out so the train is a good way to get to have a first glimpse at it. On the other hand, if you have to spend only a couple of days or three days, there are definitely things that you should give priority to rather than the circle train. Otherwise, you can take it on small portion that will take you closer to another attraction you want to visit.

8pm: Optimistically I thought I would find a proper restaurant for my last dinner in Myanmar but ended up in a half restaurant, half street food, that had no price on the menu! Out of here, had to find another place. Oréos can't be my dinner tonight! One more time, in the other restaurant, nobody could speak English but I think I managed and it fits my tight budget.

8.15pm: Ordered some chicken wings and it looks like they consider all the bones of the chicken as ribs. Only, if it was me, I would call it fried bones with a little bit of meat around them - but I don't want to sound like the pissed judgemental French guy travelling alone :-)

10pm: On my own but not for the whole day because I was about to leave when a German guy, another Tom, asked me if he could sit at my table and we talked for an hour or so. Obliging guy!

11pm: Once again, I hope you enjoyed this exercise in style because I can assure you that one was not easy. Off to bed soon because tomorrow will be the first day of my 3-day long trip back home. One of a kind and beloved readers, wish you a very good night!