Today our Study Away Program is officially over. We left Myanmar this morning and landed in Taiwan for a few days before heading back to the states. The extreme difference between Myanmar and Taiwan is overwhelming. I loved all our travels, but it is nice to be back in a land where air conditioning and internet are reliable and where the things I am a costume to are easily accessible. The time change from Bangkok to Myanmar is a half hour different rather than a full hour time change. It is comically, but symbolic. It is like the time change allows you to slip into a different reality. This reality is full of mysticism, superstition, scant sanitation and utilities, but everyone has a cell phone and Coca Cola is everywhere.
Myanmar people are proud of their culture. It is difficult to know what it is that they want from the west. I am not sure they know because of the closed military dictatorship they are emerging from. It is very clear that they want change. We heard lots of talk about the upcoming elections. They are so excited about the possibilities. It strikes me how Royal Haskingon has the right idea to be there as the change is happening and hire the people the change is happening to. The only way to know how a company can meet the needs of the people of Myanmar is be there when they realize what it is they need or want. I am fairly certain that there is more risk in making assumptions that Myanmar will follow the same sort of path other emerging nations like Vietnam. I have a feeling it will be very different and I am so curious how buddhism will shape this process.
I of course am not qualified to speculate the future, but I am very grateful to the experience I was offered on this trip. No doubt I will ponder the things I have learned for a long time to come. Thanks for everything, the trip was well organized and worth every cent.