Just before we headed back to our concrete cages (does not matter whether I was refering to Yangon or Sillypore), we visited the school that was managed by the Mahabodhi Monastery at the far end of the village. With about 400 students ranging from elementary levels to high school (one of the classes was actually held in the main hall of the monastery), we thought that they had done a fairly good job in providing basic education given the amount of constraints faced. I suppose we should focus more in developing more programs with this school.

My friend from Yangon came (despite the morning showers) and we seek permission from the Sayadaw (out of formality again) to visit the village in Jul 09 (this time with a larger group). Got back to "civilisation" after 4 hours of travelling (boat, taxi and boat again) and felt really uneasy with all that urban choke (strange that I never realised it before). Got a double room at May Shan Guesthouse (along Sule Paya Road) for US$25/S$37.50 per night; it was not exactly the cheapest option in Yangon but it all justifies with its clean tiled floor and air-conditioning (me turning back into a urban dweller again). There were no major highlights left apart from watching Newcastle losing yet another match in the Premiership at a drinking hole called "Goal 2" (draught Myanmar Beer was a steal at 500kyats/S$0.68 per mug). They were getting relegated; I was going home.

In retrospective, many things could had happened and prevented us from staying in the village. Unlike the urbanites (at least for those that I knew) that would rather do the day-trips, the dare-devil in me would be very disappointed if the stay in the village did not materialise.

The lifestyle in the typical Burmese village could be so simple yet different from the urban lifestyle we are so used to have. As long as fundamental needs are fulfilled, life goes on (and they would not ask for more). One could argue on the fairness of this statement on the basis that they do were not exposed to the urban comforts of the modern life. It is true up to a certain extend but being exposed to such comforts also means more desires and attachment which then leads to more suffering. Maybe I just simply enjoy having such discussions within me.