Tension in Kachin

In spite of all the positive developments in Myanmar and the recent cease fire with the Karen (see More Good News From Myanmar), the Myanmar military continues to do horrible things to the Kachin people in the northern part of the country. Hope President Thein Sein steps up and does something about this. These are the folks that are collaborating with my community forestry project (see Naw Aung and His Sagawa). [NOTE: Image shows Kachin family stopping to rest along the side of the Ledo Road north of Shimbweyeng].  

More Good News From Myanmar

Myanmar government releases 651 prisoners, including many prominent political activists from the 1988 protests, signs a cease-fire with Karen rebels, and, in response, the U.S. restores full diplomatic relations with the country. These are all substantial steps in the right direction. Let's hope these developments ultimately translate into a renewal of community forestry in Kachin State (see Naw Aung and His Sagawa and Crossing Mawning Stream).  [NOTE: Image shows Loi Mai (in front) and Aung Bu moving up the Ledo Road in northern Kachin (see A Bridge Too Far)].

Movies From Myanmar IV

Always try to start the new year off with a post that features a smile (see 1.1.11 and Sharing a Ride). This little Kachin boy in Shinlnga (see Shinlonga) is blissfully happy with his stick and wheel. And especially so given the visiting scientist with the camera that wanted to film him playing. Happy 2012 to everyone.

Movies from Myanmar III

Today's post is entitled That Truck. This noble vehicle has been hauling gasoline up and down the Ledo Road for over 50 years. [NOTE: Music by Radiohead].

Movies from Myanmar II

This clip, Shopping For Supplies, gives a taste of the main market in Tanai where we bought supplies before heading up the Ledo Road for six weeks of collecting rattan specimens and running inventory transects. What a magical place to shop.

Clinton and Suu Kyi

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar. Wow. Didn't think this would ever happen. Details here. Hopefully a step in the right direction for getting community forestry started back up in the Hukaung Valley (see Shinlonga and Naw Aung and his Sagawa). [NOTE: Photo credit Saul Loeb/Agence France Presse - Getty Images].

Out To Dry

Bundles of palm specimens drying in the sun behind the Huaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary headquarters in Tanai (see Tanai and Tolagyi Tour of Tanai). Together with some wet laundry from the field crew. Usually foggy in the morning, but the afternoon sky in Tanai is spectacular. 

Group Photo

The first time U Tun Shuang tried to take a group photo (see Tea Break and Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey) using the remote control on his camera, the camera went off immediately and took a picture mostly of his head.

The third try it worked quite well, and U Tun Shuang made it to the far left in the back row before the shutter clicked. Five scientists, eight field assistants, two elephants, and two elephant handlers. Unforgettable six week expedition down the Ledo Road.

Myanmar Sunset III

Lot of beautiful sunsets in northern Myanmar. This one was taken standing up in the back of a large truck as we moved up the Ledo Road through the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey) on the way to Namyun (see Driver Needs a Drink of Water) to pick up the elephants. [NOTE: Over half of the remaing forests in Southeast Asia are found in northern Myanmar]. 

Enter From There

The story goes that a monk named Ching-ch'ing came to Zen Master Hsuan-sha seeking instruction. Ching-ch'ing said, "I've come seeking the truth. Please, master, tell me how I can enter the way of Zen." Hsuan-sha said, "Can you hear the sound of the creek down by the gate?" Ching-ch'ing listened, and replied, "Yes, master, I can hear it." "Enter Zen from there," Hsuan-sha told him. [NOTES: Image from Mile 7 Camp, Ledo Road, Hukuang Valley Wildlife Preserve, Myanmar. Story from Together Under One Roof by Lin Jensen].