Sounds

It is five o'clock in the morning and still dark outside. I can hear the sound of hooves from horse carts. I can't help remembering Japan. We used to hear such sound in Japan. To compare with horse carts of Japan, they are a bit smaller and two-wheeler. The goods they carry is straw. We can't see the cart for the whole cart is covered with straw. There are various sounds in Mandalay. But the only sound which is music to my ear is the sound of hooves. Other sounds can be said to be included in the kind of noise.

I can hear a loud singing voice up this hour. I don't know whoand where the voice comes from. Is it a voice of inviting guests? Is it giving service? Or does it intend to be noisy easily? I don't know their intention. In Japan, this kind of sound can be heard on beaches in summer and at ski resort in winter. I can no longer tolerate them because they make such noise early in the morning even on Sunday. I have no idea how the noise appears. But, I try to console myself with a thought in mind that they are not making such noise every day. Generally, Myanmar people like music. And even when someone is alone, sings something frightening.

The religion in Myanmar is Theravada Buddhism. Most people believe in it. A lot of days concerning with religion are printed on calendars. On such days, monks recite religious verses loudly before the light comes. Although I can't understand what they are reciting, I can guess the verses are Pali ones. But Myanmar people don't seem to understand them. It is the same as Japan.

When I visited Kyaik Hti Yoe, Known as famous golden rock, I saw monks reciting religious verses non-stop by turns for 24 hours. But in Mandalay, I can't say for sure that it is a tape that makes the sound. That kind of reciting seems very exhausting. Another thing I hate is the noises of horns. To compare with Yangon, there are less cars in Mandalay than Yangon. But it may be because of trucks, the loud noises of horns that strike my ears usually cause my stress. But in Japan, the larger the number of cars is, the quieter it is because of strict traffic regulations. They played horns continuously for both pedestrians and the cars in front for there is no strict traffic rules and regulation. It is worse at night. That is in some part of the city, not in the whole city.

My hostel is located at the edge of very large compound. The other side of brick fence is motor road. Opposite of the road, there is a dormitory where for about ten girls students stay. A group of students come there every night and entertained them playing the guiter. This part of the city is university campus. There are private own dormitories for girl students. Group of students entertained the girls singing around these hostels till over 3 am. And it is very noisy.

Young men's singing for the young girls the whole night is romantic. But, it is a little backward and they are some what like prehistoric men, I think. Some carry guiters and some violins. Their singing cannot be said bad. But half of their entertainment is such loud noise. When it comes to sound, Myanmar society is magnanimous. Moreover, there are other sounds like that of street vendor with a cart and etc. The people live taking these noise pollution as an attachment except from foreigners. Therefore I am trying to get used to their culture which is not the same as ours.