We didn't have to buy FEC's, Foreign Exchange Certificates. We weren't forced to stay at government facilities. We were free to do what we wanted. We didn't try to go to the areas where the Army is fighting a border war or take pictures in forbidden areas. We had no reason to do so and were not interested in risking our lives to make a point.
We did stay in a fantastic hotel, Golden Isle Cottages, built on stilts on Inle Lake. The hotel is owned and operated by the Pao people, who at one time, in the not too distant past, were in armed rebellion against the regime. They are using the profits to build hospitals and schools and provide jobs for hundred of Pao. 5,000 Burmese died in the 1988 revolution. It was caused by economic issues not political ones. The People of Myanmar are not interested in going through that again. One of our guides said it best, "How do we know that what we get will be any better than what we have?"
What about my own government? We are not refusing to engage and have intercourse, so to speak, with countries like China, Vietnam, Pakistan, and others that have regimes just as or more repressive than Myanmar.
Is the human rights record of Myanmar abominable? Yes it is.
Would the people be better off with a more democratic government? We have no way of knowing.
Will things continue to improve in Myanmar for its people? It looks like it might.
Is tourism a positive force for change? I believe it is.
Is it more effective for the U.S. Government to engage the Government of Myanmar or is it more effective to boycott and thereby hurt the people? The General's are going to do just fine if there's a boycott or not.
I despair when politicians make blanket statements about countries they know little about or to serve a political agenda. Yeah, I know. They do it all the time.
If you doubt what I am suggesting, go to Myanmar and see for yourself. That way you can serve my agenda by expanding tourism in Myanmar and serve yourself by expanding your experience and having a guaranteed great time.
You can find a selection of photos, I took in Myanmar, at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ed_hk/album?.dir=7851
Send your comments, feedback and critiques to Ed Hahn at ed_hk@yahoo.com.
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