Latest report on current incidents since my return to Myanmar

After my return to Myanmar, ten days has passed rapidly. Summer is at its peak and the heat so intense. It was so unbearable that the air-cons are on even at night. But the last few days brought rains and coolness reigned once more. The security personnel at the gate fell asleep instantly on the card-boards spread on the concrete outside. The heat inside made him seek coolness outside. A low mosquito-net was protecting him too.

I was not aware of the temperature last year and now the heat is unbearable. Will the rains come under the present temperature or will the intense heat return? I cannot foretell.

The gum-Kino flower, which is believed to bloom at the touch of raindrops, is in full bloom wearing bright yellow colour. The fragrance is so sweet adding to the beautiful scene. Damsels wearing the gum-Kino flower are a poetic sight only to be found in southern Myanmar.

At present my mind is full of confusion. Official permission to visit Mandalay is not available yet. The official concerned cheered me and said everything is going to be okay. The papers have reached the cabinet level, he explained. He wants to assure me not to worry but the problem has just begun since I my visa will expire in five days' time. I estimated that as I have applied for that permission since January, the sanction would have been made before April 20th. I have made a miscalculation. I have done everything I can but I do not know what will happen next. I have run out of new ways and means. I just feel "Oh! Here is Myanmar". After staying in Myanmar for two years I feel at home and not so excited. Yet I am not at ease. May be my education here is not complete after all.

The happy news is that I am allowed to stay on at the hostel though my business is finished. I guess I would try my best during my stay here. Visa problem must be solved promptly though, and I must think of my return to Japan if things do not go smoothly here. Only after extending the visa, I may await the permission to visit Mandalay assuredly. I have arranged everything to travel to Mandalay as soon as the permission is obtained.

One or two months' stay here may not be called settled. I will send the new address as soon as everything is settled. If you want to write me a letter just address it Japanese Department University of Foreign Languages, Yangon. Lettered are not delivered to Narani Hall where I am staying.

It is raining cats and dogs outside. I have presented the latest experiences straight from my heart.