We went to the Pansodan Ferry to cross over the Yangon River to visit the rural township of Dala. The ferry was packed with locals going home after being in Yangon for jobs, selling wares, and/or buying needed supplies. The five minute ride across transports one to a world far removed from that observed in Yangon. The town was virtually destroyed by cyclone Nargis in 2008. It is the poorest part of Yangon region with over 75,000 people living in simple wooden shacks (many damaged during the cyclone with no repairs) perched over squalid waterways and growing piles of trash.
The ferry ride was quite an experience with the locals. They were friendly enough but in their environment they were comfortable pushing and moving about in the crowded area around the ferry arrival area.
We were some of the last riders to board the ferry.
There was constant chatter, pushing by people, motorbikes tooting their horns to try and weave through the crowd, and people trying to get you to take their mode of transportation to get around.
We hired this crew of trishaw (think bicycle with a sidecar) drivers to take us around the town.
I still have my Thanakha powder on my face looking a little native.
Luckily there were concrete pathways throughout the town that were in fairly good shape. The poverty and horrible living conditions were very evident. Pictures speak a thousand words so here are some of my observations.
An elementary school
Bicycles of the students
We stopped at this station where they were cooking toe - a rice flour batter poured on the hot griddle and then eggs and topping are added. Sort of like a crepe. Phyo demonstrated how it was done.
The finished product is placed a piece of newspaper to be served.
YES I tried it. It was very good sort of like an omelette cooked on a crepe.
Again, the people were so friendly and welcoming. They seemed to enjoy sharing their lives with us.
We could see shack after shack as we rode around.
We also stopped to visit a family with a home business of making spring roll shells that they took across the river to Yangon and sold daily to restaurants. It was interesting to see haw they took a wad of dough, smeared a little on the hot griddles atop burning fires in the pots and then almost immediately lifted them off and stacked them for sale.
YES - this is the home where they do the cooking. Not sure it would pass our local health laws for food preparation. I did try one and it was good.
Taking the cooked ones off.
Putting the dough on to cook. He would just smear enough dough on the griddle to cover it then move on to the next one.
These children were playing by the house. When asked if they belonged to the family the answer was NO they were just neighborhood kids. We shared some of the spring roll wrapper with them. The kids throughout the neighborhood would run out and wave at us with smiles on their faces.
A lumber yard.
I liked the pattern that was created on this house.
The homes have no running water and there is one pond located in the community that everyone has to share. To help ensure that there is enough water to last during the dry season, families are restricted to how many buckets of water they can collect from the pond and it is only open from 4 - 5 each evening. There is an elected keeper of the pond that opens and shuts the gate and monitors the water level.
Path leading up to the pond. Buckets of gathered water waiting to be carried home.
The keeper of the pond.
The only drinkable water source for the community. You can see the steps were they go and dip up their buckets of water.
Our little caravan heading back to the docks to take the ferry back to Yangon.
Night market
A golden pagoda located in the community. Yes even in their extreme living conditions they support the local monks.
Look at Yangon as we traveled back across the river.
Fishermen trying to make their catch for tomorrow's market.
A loaded ferry going over to Dala as we were returning.
Tomorrow we fly to Bagan. It is an early flight (have to be up around 4 a.m.) to get to the airport and catch our 6:30 flight. So, good night and count your blessings today for we are truly blessed to live in a great country that helps take care of those that aren't capable.
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