| Burma Jan 19th - Feb 18th 2001 |
| An unexpected emotionally charged trip to a country long cut off from western civilisation. Governed by a sick and twisted military regime, the Burmese lack any vindictiveness and their happy faces hide the sad personal stories that they each have. Their buddhist faith keeps them eternally hopeful of better days to come. The people have attempted uprisings, but as one young Burmese student said to me, 'How can we fight guns ?'. Forced civilian labour is still used to construct roads and government buildings, and due to the many abuses of human rights, tourists are discouraged from visiting. I had to give money to the government to enter, I travelled over roads who's construction had caused the death of many innocent people, and I stayed in hotels which were built on previously inhabitated areas (many Burmese have been 'reloacted' to accommodate the tourist industry). I learnt amazing things, met wonderful people, and was greeted with a smile wherever I went....the Burmese people are indeed the friendliest you'll ever meet. It is for this reason that I urge people to go. The plight needs to be seen with your own eyes, and only when awareness is raised can more pressure be put upon the UN to take action. More info : The Burma Campaign |
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