Last thing I did before leaving Bagan was laosai, and then the first thing (and second and third) thing I did in Yangon was also to laosai. Officially got food poisoning after a total of 5 diarrhea episode and fever in a morning. Reached the bus station and had to transfer to a cab, the drivers asked for US$12 but all we had left was US$10 worth of Kyat with us! So that's what we said and finally one nice uncle decided to fetch us with a grumpy face; he eventually smiled to us when we reach our location and I believe people here are still kind-hearted by nature.
Still pretty early when we reach the downtown but luckily, the amazing hostel (super new and feels like the one I had in Budapest) allowed us to check in early in the morning at 6am! We even had the whole 8-men bunk to ourselves for the morning. Took a 1.5 hour nap before the diarrhea strikes, along with a thrumming headache and feverish body. Spammed cold shower twice and eventually got rid of the headache and fever! Super awesome feeling to cure it in the very morning it hits. But the diarrhea continues even after we left for the Aung San market for brunch (no choice, ate a little bit of the noodle soup I ordered so I can eat the medicine). The painful sun didn't help with my initial fever but thankfully, clouds came soon after and fever didn't return.
Wanted to take the circle train but figured it was too shabby when we arrive (and no seats!) so we decided to give the potentially treacherous 3-hour ride a miss.
Chilled at a tea house just so I can visit the toilet, and then it's onward to Shwedagon pagoda.
Pretty impressive place but way too many tourist traps; had to scheme our way through their extortion of US$1 per pair of slippers deposited, and ran away from a "guide" that insisted we follow him around then asked for tips. Back to hostel after that because we're all just too sick (me, literally) and tired (them, literally).
Chilled in bunk until Kaung came to pick us up for dinner!
Finally fulfilling his 15 years promise to bring me around Yangon. Ate super delicious street pork vendor despite my stomach upset and no regrets. One of the best street food I've ever had. BBQ food was pretty legit but I didn't eat much after a run for the toilet.
Went on to the Vista rooftop bar after for an amazing night view of the Shwedagon pagoda all lit up. Was supposed to see one of their mainstream bars after but Brandon was feeling unwell (so was I) so we decided to retire for the night.
Woke up three times for the toilet over the night and decided to just wake up at the last time. Chilled awhile in the morning before we left for brunch at a famous dim sum place. Also met with some horrendous morning traffic, from it we figured the most important thing in Yangon is your hand, whether to cross the road or to drive your car through the traffic, waving of hands is of utmost importance; this is in contrast to the horning more commonly used in other parts of Myanmar (but yea, horn still exists here definitely). And Kaung later told us that Yangon banned motorcycle (only cops have it), and it's because of the notorious bike gang of the grandson of the Juanta who rape and kill at night.
Brunch was pretty delicious and damn filling. We then went to his grandma's place to check out the local life and his mum was there too! Treated us to some mangos, local desserts, and some drinks; took some photos and then off we go to try out some spicy noodles from another ethnic group of Myanmar.
And spicy indeed, we severely underestimated its potency; good thing we were all too full to order more. And then it's time to bid goodbye; we got back to the hostel to chill and wait for our taxi, and then it's off to fight the traffic to the airport again.
Sitting down by the balcony to smoke our last stick of banana cigarette, this concludes the last of our trip. At this very moment, we all want to go home but I'm sure in months to come, we'll look back and start missing the many stories we have lived to tell...
