Day Eight: A Day of Firsts

Today was my first hot shower in Yangon (so I had a good hair day for about four hours), the first time I woke up to the alarm rather than an hour early, and my first glimpse of the flooded streets that occur between my house and the school.  I hope I have many days of first around here. 

Like any new school year, things are crazy.  I have an office on the eighth floor that has a wonderful view so when that feeling over anxiety starts to rear its ugly head, I just look out the window.  I see the colorful, low rooftops, my new friend the pigeon and the most beautiful pagoda in Myanmar, the Shwedadon.  It is supposedly 2600 years old and the pride of the city. I plan to do a behind the scene tour when things settle down a bit.

Today was also a ying/yang day.  I am frustrated with technology (the bad), but hired a maid, Rita, for five days a week at $100.00 a month (the good). She will cook for us, shop for us and clean for us.  She speaks and writes in English, so communicating will be a snap. I have guilt about the wage, but I think the standard of living most people get by on is two dollars a day. I see gifts in Rita’s future.

The day ended with a party at the elementary principal’s house. Loved seeing how they decorated and she gave us all kind of tips that have made her and her husband’s stay here easier (I will be hand washing my linens and most whites- why did I bring linens???). I have met so many helpful people, interesting and wonderful people.