Memories of Mandalay: My 2019 Myanmar Journey 🌏

Back in 2019, Mandalay's roads were mostly unpaved except for the main thoroughfares (though this might have improved by now). The city's primary mode of transport? Motorcycles 🏍️—likely the same across Myanmar. Walking through Mandalay felt like stepping into a dust storm 💨. I wore sandals without socks, and within minutes, my toes were coated in dirt. Locals, however, strolled casually in flip-flops, their longyi (traditional sarongs) swaying as they moved. For longer trips, people relied on tuk-tuks 🛺—open-air three-wheelers with just a flimsy windshield and a roof. No seatbelts, just a wild ride as the driver sped through dirt roads, kicking up clouds of dust. At first, I clung to the handrail for dear life, but eventually, I grew to love the thrill of bouncing through the chaos. Despite the dust, Mandalay was bursting with color 🌈—vibrant longyi, shopfronts painted in tropical hues, and streets lined with plastic chairs in every shade. Even the local snacks were brightly dyed, adding pops of color to the otherwise dusty landscape. It was a city where life thrived unapologetically in the grit. #Myanmar #Mandalay #TravelDiaries #SoutheastAsia #Backpacking