OTY: The towboat season was ending, and I was jumping ship to head back to the lower 48. Getting used to the city life would be tough. At least Chicago had a large body of water to gaze across but not much else to compare to the vast wilderness where we had been. Having completed my second job as a deckhand, I was getting enamored with the water world at sea or on rivers. I was in good shape, well fed, and could drive a forklift. I had the skills though they might get a little rusty in the Second City. I was good.

OTA: Our two week river trip was coming to an end in Mandalay. Certainly this visit had been full of privileges that allowed for a comfortable experience in a place going through tremendous trials. And this guided glimpse of Myanmar and the Burmese culture was extraordinary in retrospect given the upheaval now going on in the country. My first visit to Burma as a backpacker in 1973 was too brief (due to visa restrictions). Being able to afford a second visit to this spot and share this with Michele who put up with my mad goal and sustained her strength throughout, this was all good.

For a more detailed exploration of our trip, go to my page: Myanmar aka Burma: On The Ayeyarwady.