Life-a learning experience: A border run into Burma

Mae Sai is the Northern most town in Thailand and a major border crossing into Burma. Although the visa to enter Burma from this location is issued and limited to travel in Tachilek, a day trip to this border town provides a glimpse into Burmese culture.

After relinquishing our passports to customs officials at the border so they could be held during the duration of our visit to Burma, Jon and I crossed the bridge into Tachilek with our trusty guide Joe.

Hoards of tuk-tuk drivers were waiting outside the immigration point, enticing tourists to sign up with them for a tour of the area. Jon and I left the selection process up to Joe and he quickly secured us a driver for the morning.
The first stop of the day was the fresh market. The market opens early, usually by 3 am, and closes by noon. A variety of produce, grains, spices, meats and more are brought to the market daily, allowing the Burmese to stock up on supplies. This was my first proper tour through a fresh market of this scale and I was astounded by some of the oddities that are common ingredients for the local people. Who knew there was such a thing as a black chicken?!

Navigating the pathways of the market was a bit chaotic at times; making it difficult to watch where you were going and peak into the stalls at the same time. Jon and I crossed over a narrow bridge, too small for market stalls, and had an uninterrupted moment to really look around. It was disconcerting to see all the trash just dumped along the stream running behind the buildings. The image of filth was in stark contrast to the freshness of the goods being sold at the market.

After visiting the fresh market it was time to take in some of the religious sights. Many of the temples in Burma are built in the Chinese style, a fact which meant absolutely noting to me until Joe pointed out the architectural nuisances of the design compared to the temples in Thailand. The knock off of the Shwedagon Pagoda is a popular attraction in Tachilek. This pagoda is a replica of the original one in Yangon, the country's capital. Joe explained how pagodas were built close to temples, typically storing sacred Buddha relics. This left me wondering, did this knock off temple house real relics or a copy of the relics from the pagoda in Yangon.

By early afternoon it was time to cross back into Thailand and begin the drive back to Chiang Mai. Along the route we stopped to visit Doi Tung Palace and the Mae Fah Luang Gardens. The palace is where the King's mother formerly resided. After viewing her residence it was evident how connected she was to the environment and people. The gardens were magnificent and impeccably landscaped. The Palace itself was simply decorated and reminiscent of all things grandmother-like. I didn't even know is woman but after looking at her things and seeing where she lived, I adored her.

Jon and I walked away from the palace longing for our grandmothers. We made mention of this fact to Joe, who somberly replied that he was thinking of his mom. His mother passed away a few years ago. She always wanted to visit the Palace but Joe never took the time to bring her there. Our visit to Doi Tung was the first time he had been to the Palace since his mother passed away. His raw honesty about his regret was very touching and a vivid reminder to never put off making memories with the people we love...who knows what tomorrow has in store for any of us.

About to cross the border into Burma.