Sunday 24 December, XMAS Eve.
Suffered through the Xmas eve with a cohort of young Australians. Vow never to do that again.
Walked aimlessly around the Muslim Quarter of Yangon, east and south of Sule Pagoda – dinner only 1800 Khat. Internet cafes are everywhere, tourists her and there but hardly Bangkok or Luang Prabang. People stare but not with intensity.Went with young Australians to Mr Guitar for them piled 7 into a cab to go to KTV, closed already, went to 2nd KTV, full of expats, invaded their booth, but they left shortly after. I should have followed.
Notes —
Didn’t want to be alone for Xmas eve so when I found the crew of Aussies at the Guesthouse door, I waived better judgement and went along with them. Seemed the thing to do.
Mr Guitar was an upmarket (for Yangon) karaoke bar with a live band playing western music. Local etiquette seemed to be to quietly sit in booths and sip whiskey. Etiquette was utterly ignored, the sweetness of the houseband was overcome, as Aussies + beer + music = screaming. Cranberry’s Zombie is a standout. I have it on record.
When we assailed the group of westerners at the number 2 KTV karaoke place, found an Ausaid, utterly wasted trying to maintain her ex-pat crew through the tail ends of a nasty night on the drink. Then she invited the young Ausrtralians into her booth, and it was all over bar the shouting.
Never again.