Myanmar

Myanmar was my third-to-last country in the world, and I was grateful to have my friend Harry join me for the trip. We’d already traveled together through the Baltics and Eastern Europe, so it felt fitting to have one of my closest travel companions with me for the final stretch of my journey. Given how affordable Myanmar was at the time, especially when exchanging U.S. dollars at the unofficial market rate, we treated ourselves to a stay at the five-star Wyndham Hotel in Yangon for around $40 a night, a luxury that would have cost exponentially more in most parts of the world.

Myanmar was going through a difficult period. Fighting between the military government and resistance groups continued in parts of the country, but Yangon itself felt relatively calm during our visit. We spent our days exploring the city’s pagodas, wandering through local neighborhoods, and getting a feel for everyday life.

One of my favorite experiences was riding the Yangon Circular Railway. For the equivalent of just 18 cents, the train loops around the city, offering a fascinating glimpse into daily life. Vendors walked through the carriages selling fruit and snacks, passengers climbed on and off throughout the journey, and life unfolded outside the windows as we passed homes, local markets, and small communities on the outskirts of the city. More than any particular attraction, the most interesting part of Myanmar for me was simply observing everyday life. Even during a difficult chapter in the country’s history, the warmth of the people and the rhythm of daily life endured.