Macadamia nuts don't come from jars!

A few months ago I saw one of my students holding something in his hand that looked like this:

What I saw before - and after - I ate the nut!

I didn't know what it was, and he was having a hard time explaining, so he opened it up and I realized it was a macadamia nut. This was kind of exciting for me - I'd never seen the nut in the shell - only in a jar! I ate the nut, which was delicious.

Peto (my student) said that he was not going to eat the nuts, but plant them. I had no idea what the trees look like.

Macadamia Pacman

From that time on, I'd see Peto go back and water his plants. After awhile there were numerous small trees. Peto graduated, so all his trees were moved to the farm and re-potted.

A small macadamia tree.

I did some research online and found that a macadamia tree will begin to bear fruit in about five years. So you can check back then to see the finished result!

Posted by: Aj. Erika

Golden Pagodas, Days, and Experiences

After five years in Thailand I finally made it to Myanmar (not counting border runs to Tachilek that are akin to trips to Tijuana and saying you've been to Mexico). Myanmar is the home to several of the students I've taught, and it was great to finally see a little of what it is like. As with many trips, I feel I need to go back! I didn't actually play tourist much, but stuck to two cities, Yangon (the former capital) and Taungoo, about a three hour drive north.

On the Tarmac - welcome to Yangon!

First meal in Myanmar - home-cooked and delicious!

Shwe Dagon Pagoda - a popular symbol of Myanmar
(and yes, this is basically the only picture I have.)

Sisters - AhJar and Seng Mai who have both been my students.

Taungoo is a smaller city, so it was much more relaxing than Yangon. It was so hot on this trip, that to get out of the city and be able to relax away the afternoons was so nice.

View from out the door of my room. 

Breakfast the first day - many traditional foods, lots of rice and tapioca. 

Cooking outside

Pineapple! Did you know it takes about a year for pineapple to grow?

My students' nephew in his Kachin longyi* and hat.

My former student, AhJar. I'm wearing the Kachin longyi from her mother.

Me singing with with women from Taungoo in my new Karen** dress.
Photo credit: Aj. Gloria

People at the water festival
(called Songkran in Thailand and Thingyan in Myanmar).
Photo credit: Aj. Gloria

More splashing of water, hoses, bikes, and wet people!
Photo credit: Aj. Gloria

Karaweik Royal Barge replica on Kandawgyi lake.
Inside there is a restaurant, but I only posed for this picture.

Market on the western part of town. I really liked this place.
At this stall, you bring your plastic bottle,
they ladle your choice of oil in and weigh it. 

The market nearing sundown.

The first day of my trip I went to Shwe Dagon Pagoda,
the last night I went here, Botataung Pagoda.
The highlight was actually walking down by the river nearby afterwards,
but no pictures!

There are many other places in Myanmar that I would love to see - Bagan and Indawgyi Lake for starters. I would like to ride on the trains, maybe see the beaches. But for now I am content. My trip was wonderful. There were many people who made it really special. Those I met from church, and those who worked at the guesthouse where we stayed. I enjoyed singing, and learning some Burmese, trying to help cook, eating good food, seeing former students and playing with the kids. So on this trip, while I did not see much of Myanmar (I was there almost three weeks after all) I did get to really interact with and enjoy the people. In the end, that's where most of the learning and fun comes from anyway!

* The Kachin are an ethnic group primarily in Myanmar. Go here for more information on Wikipedia. A longyi is traditional dress of men and women in Myanmar.
** The Karen are another ethnic group in Myanmar. Go here for more information.