The Conference ends.....

Sadly we reached the last sessions of the Conference knowing that some of us will return to Australia whilst the rest of us explore Myanmar further.

Kerryn encouraged us to consider how we would survive and thrive when we return to the 'real' world (all too soon unfortunately) and Kim got us to focus on the experience of the week and its impact for the future.

After lunch a group of us headed out of town to the Commonwealth War Cemetery. We drove past lots of military compounds well-screened from the road, some large hospitals and factories and even a Daewoo factory.

We had some fun on the way there identifying our favourite billboards (as Sally wouldn't let us sing any of 'The Sound of Music' and no one wanted to play I Spy) including my favourite : a Coke ad ( yes it's EVERYWHERE!) with two happy people made of Coke and the slogan - "Open happiness!" We also liked one which was an ad for a Sweety Home store so it went like this - 'Plan your Sweety Home for nice furniture' - now there's an aspirational goal for you! More of these to follow I'm sure.

When we arrived at the cemetery we were struck by the impeccable tidiness of it and the huge number of graves: more than 6000 and a monument to 27000 Indian soldiers whose bodies have never been found. There were a few Australian, Canadian and Nigerian graves but many more that were British and Indian. It was very sobering to read the messages the families had included on the headstones of some of the graves, and even more sad to see so many graves that were marked as unknown soldiers. Just so many of them and so young. The rows of identical headstones were enhanced by the simple but striking monuments and the range of plants between each headstone. Unfortunately there was appalling music issuing forth from the other side of the road : it was so loud it seemed to be a deliberate ploy to disturb the tranquillity of the cemetery.

We proceeded home much more quietly.

On return we caught up with some of the others and their adventures. Some had booked in for a massage by blind students and were all set for the full essential oils and massage experience. Instead the masseurs were deaf and dumb and they were massaged fully clothed. Even with the best planning sometimes things just go astray! Although the massages were apparently enjoyed by all.

After another wallowing session in the pool solving the world problems  we are now about to head off for the farewell Conference dinner at Le Planteur, a French restaurant which is supposed to be one of the best in Yangon.

Fortunately (touch wood!) we appear to have no sickies at the moment so let's hope everyone makes it. We've done reasonably well so far but a couple of people have had a day off to have some quiet time (and antibiotics!) to recover from the usual gastric challenges.

your healthy correspondent

Dianne