30/04/2002
In spite of regular electricity blackout, there was no electricity shortage during the water festival. To be exact, the period was from 13-16 April. On 17 April, there was no dousing of water and the city was silent compare to the festival days. The stages called Mandat have been dismantled in the places where it could be done quickly. From that day on , electricity blockout revisited. In 1998 when electricity blockout frequented most, electricity did not come from 8 a.m to 9p.m every other day. Schedule was drawn to distribute electricity to every ward right at 10 p.m the time when World Cup football matches were broadcasted on local TV. I think electricity will come in Yangon when World Cup football matches to be held in Japan and Korea are broadcasted this year.

29/04/2002
Wedding reception of TV commercial and movie star Khaing Thin Kyi was held at Sedona Hotel on 28th April. She met her husband-to-be when she was a university student. They got married after seven years.

26/04/2002
Although, Thingyan (Myanmar New Year Water Festival) was over, there were still consecutive hot days. After Thingyan, young boys and girls with shaven head can be seen. Most youths go around the city in trucks. The city is noisy with thrilling voices of revellers. I saw revellers in water festival in Thailand dousing water with hoses on TV. Water festival in Myanmar is a bit severe. On other hand, most of the people pass this period meditating. It is said that a devout Buddhist joins holy order several times in his life time. Although it is only for five days this time, heads are shaven. Therefore, we can see a lot people with shaven head who become lay persons again after a short retreat in holy order during this period.

25/04/2002
After consecutive hot days in Yangon, the sky became ugly and it rained a little in the everning yesterday. This afternoon, although it was very in the morning, it rained with thunder suddenly. I think the rainy season has come.

24/04/2002
I found the elephant on the way of Chin state when I visited. Though the work of carrying a tree, there was no figure in the near. The elephant ate wild grass in silence.

23/04/2002
Dustbins were fixed on the bus lately. They are at the back or at the entrance. It is not strange for people from other countries. It is a good system. But everybody litter without following discipline. So, at the roadside stalls or at public places of wherever, there are a lot of garbage. Although Yangon City Development Committee takes the reasonability of cleaning the garbage, the committee can't manage it. After the water festival, there are a lot of plastic bags and other garbages on the road. It is and unpleasant scene. Anyway, Yangon will become more beautiful if every citizen litters systematically.

22/04/2002
It was very hot recently. Moreover, there were a lot of electricity blackout. So, generators are used at most shops and apartments. I think it was hotter because of the trouble of 39C hight temperature plus the noises of the generators.

19/04/2002
Alum is being sold on at ship. It is used as medicine. In some region, people use alum to make water from river. It contains little acetic mineral.

18/04/2002
Yesterday was New Year Day of Myanmar. People went to pagodas and paid obeisanceto Buddha images in the morning and evening. In the evening, Prittas (religious verses) were recited by members of the Sangha (monks) in streets in every wards to avert danger. People drove evils away by patting the windows and doors at every house. In Myanmar, a new year has begun..

13/04/2002
Our office will be closed from today to 17/April for new year holiday. This news from Yangon also will be suspended of this term.

12/04/2002
This is the Bangladesh Trade Fair being held at Yangon Trade Center. Myanmar shares common border with India (Bangladesh) between its Arakan State. I visited the fair with great hope because I was very eager to know something about Bangladesh. To compare with Thai Trade Fair, there were not much goods apart from cloth which is used as Sari. Visitors might comment on not being able to collect regional products for holding a fair. They use only ground floor. In Thai Trade Fair, three stories were used and there was also a Thai restaurant. (K.K)

11/04/2002
Myanmar can touch his left and right hands like hand shaking at the back. Moreover he can clean his back rubbed with soap with the use of a bowl without using any towel. Another thing is that he can ride a bus only on a foot clinging at the back a bus. I wrote in previous reports, there are few of Myanmar people who wear glasses and they have good teeth. In such a hot country like Myanmar, they hardly have gray hair and people with bold head can hardly be found. When I mention their good facts, it does not seem strange to them. To compare with Japan where are a lot of glass, contact lens, bath teeth and people with bald head, where the people walk like exhausted persons, I think Myanmar is really good.Kanbawza bank which recently used famous stars in its TV (K.K)

10/04/2002
This Kanbawza bank which recently used famous stars in its TV commercial. The best five stars appeared in it are two actors-Dwe and Lwin Moe and three actresses-Htet Htet Moe Oo, Endra Kyaw Zin and Khine Thin Kyi. It is the first time for Htet Htet Moe Ooto appear in a commercial with other actresses. People are very interested in it. The head office of the bank was opened in Pyay Road recently. It is a beautiful although it is a colonial style building.(K.K)

09/04/2002
After a year, I, Kimura, have E-mail access. I applied to the government for E-mail after collapse of Eagle company. Although it lasted for ten months, I did not get it. Then, unexpected, a newspaper carried an advertisement that E-mails for 10,000 persons were available at Bagan Net. I applied for E-mail one day after their officee opened. After one week, I had E-mail account. Office of Bagan Net is near the head officee of Kanbawza Bank. It costs 260US$ for private users. It cost 15US$ for ten hour use and 2US$ for an extra hour.(K.K)

08/04/2002
In yangon, many stages are setting for New Year (Water Festival) will be held in 13th April. Our office also will be closed from 13-17th April, so we will not able to make any bookings. Please understand it.

05/04/2002
Myanma New Year (Water Festival) will be held in April. The yellow flowers of Padauk always bloom in this time. It said that it is loyal flower because it bloomed without mistaking season time. But this year it bloomed three weeks ahead. Even in Japan cherry blossoms bloomed earlier due to weather condition. Is it beyond the worldwide weather?

04/04/2002
Now the hottest days are continuing. But it gets cold in early morning. Recently a dense fog appears in morning because the difference of temperature between morning and evening. We couldn't see well the parade of Arm Force Day on 27th due to fog.

03/04/2002
It is a kind of leaf. Betel quid-containing betel leaf, lime and betel nut is chewed. It produces red coluur after some time of chewing. Women are not allowed to enter betel vine plantation. And it is said no one can enter putting on shoes. A viss of betel leaf cost up to K1400.

02/04/2002
I went back to Japan once last year to renew my visa. The place in Japan where I live is a quiet one. At school hours, we can see a lot of many primary and middle school boys. Although, there are small parks here and there. But, I have never seen children playing in the evenings on weekdays and Sundays. Don't the children of these days play in the park? When, I took a walk with any dog, I felt that Japanese children no longer play. On other hand, Children play out in Yangon. They eagerly play games-football, swinging, slide, cane ball and etc till night. I can't say for sure that which children will have a brighter future.(k.k)

01/04/2002
"Buddhist Theme park" is the name given by me. I visited Monywa after getting information that there is an interesting monastery there. It is colourful Thanbude monastery. Various sizes of Pagodas amounted to 580,000 were constructed there under the counsel of late Monyin Sayadaw (Venerable monk). Statue of a salaryman is welcoming the visitors in the large compound of the park. I don't know hte reason why it is there.A famous man in Southeast Asia, who manufactured tiger balm, donated a dispensary. But, it had changed as Thanbude Pagoda precinct. And the statue of the salaryman seemed to be made. Although the statue is in a Eurpean suit with a tie. It was made without putting on shoes for it is in the precint of the pagoda. It was delibralely made to inform visitors that it is a place where foot wearings are not allowed.(k.k)