Chiang Rai to Myanmar and Laos - Day 9

On our way early again, we headed to the border between Thailand and Myanmar.  After clearing immigration for both countries we headed for our ride by TukTuk through the border town of Tachilek.  The first thing we notice is the poverty seems much more severe in Burma.  Many more beggars, lots of poorly clothed people, and many more who appear quite undernourished.  As many of you know the government here, in addition to being one of the most oppressive, is known for its corruption.  Most foreign aid has gone into the pockets of its ruling military, and the results are quite evident.  We take a tour at a local Shan-style temple where we are given flowers and instructions to make three wishes to the shrine for our day of the week.  This is based on the actual day of the week you are born, mine and Jan’s both being Wednesday.  After making the wishes and pouring water over the Buddha three times, over his folded hands two times, and over the symbol for that day once, in our case the elephant, we are then led to a large bell which we strike 9 times with a wooden post.  Purportedly, our wishes will now come true.  Hope so!  Our lunch is at a wonderful outdoor restaurant about 40 km out of Chiang Rai.  We are transported by “farm truck” as the roads are too rough for the bus.  It was more like a tractor with a wooden box on its rear, but the barbequed chicken was so delicious we didn’t care about the primitive transportation.  Our day concluded with a cruise on the Mekong River and a visit to Laos.  It is amazing to me that these people live so close to each other, and yet each nationality exhibits such different physical characteristics.