More monks per mile. No, that’s not a gauge of how much fuel your SUV consumes (and shame on you if you drive one of those gas guzzlers), but an indicator of just how many of the men-in-robes are walking the highways, byways, and dirt lanes of Myanmar. Monks, and young novices, are all over the place. I dare say the ratio of monks to the regular populace is higher in Myanmar than in any other Asian country I’ve visited. You can find monks in monasteries, of course, but also in markets, schools, parks, and even on the football pitch. I was amazed on this trip to see so many monks playing football (soccer), volleyball, and other sports. After all those hours of studying they certainly deserve some recreational time. But monks also enjoy talking to tourists, not only to practice their English but also to learn more about the world outside their own country. Stopping by a monastery to chat with a monk is a great way to spend time.

I’m thinking of putting up a sign that warns customers to be careful when stepping outside our bookshop. There is always a motorcycle riding down the sidewalk, a common Bangkok sight that shocks most foreign pedestrians when they see it for the first time. Adding to the danger factor, the motos are not carefully navigating [...]