in a room
more specifically, the room of my hotel manager's son. he's a bit of a computer geek and is letting me use his stuff, as well as loitering in the background to fix things when the mandatory 'access denied' sign pops up. legend (though maybe not one for banter down the pub bless, and he seems to be hooked up to some chat network that means i'm constantly being inundated by dirty old oriental men. happy days).still not that impressed by mandalay. it's like an indian city, crammed, dusty, and full of annoying touts: the ancient fort should be its heart, but it's so dominated by smog and roads that it fails miserably. instead, all the major organs are charmless, squat grey buildings, devoid of personality and history. i had a respite today when i rented a bike and went to a couple of the surrounding ancient cities. cycling in the centre of town is an experience: it's like going on an obstacle course while smoking twenty cigarettes where the consequences of error are death. i did work out why most burmese cycle so interminably slowly though, having realised the error of building up any speed by smacking into the back of a pick up. it was gentle amble with regular, but controllable, swerving after that one. still, once out of the centre the ride was very nice, as i maintained the cycling equivalent of a stroll on a reasonable road alongside the arewaddy river. both the cities were pleasant enough, although i have to say that i may finally be stupaed out. they are everywhere, so to be impressed it has to be an absolute stunner. and i got chased by another dog. after having climbed up about a hundred steps. bastard. anyway, it was a 50km+ round trip, so needless to say i was an absolute dripping wreck when i returned, and have resolved to take it easy for a while. off to the night market now to try and find some chinese chocolate, a meander round the back streets tomorrow will hopefully allow this place to redeem itself.
posted by bicrom @ 11:55 am
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