diplocats modernizing

i am working on qr codes at work + decided to try one out here! if you have a smartphone, i think you can point it at this + have a surprise!

shwedagon pagoda

while in rangoon, we visited the magnificent shwedagon pagoda.


its age is unclear -- at least 2,500 years old. some archeologists say that it dates from the 6th century, but according to our tour guide (and many burmese), this is the only pagoda built during the lifetime of the buddha.

covered in pure gold, folks. and large jewels on top. cyclone nargis dislodged many of them + sent them into surrounding neighborhoods. our burmese colleague tells us that the vast majority of the jewels were returned to the monks by the locals.


there are prayer stations around shwedagon for the signs of the zodiac.

(i embrace my position as rat!)

according to legend, if you strike this bell three times, you will be guaranteed a return visit to burma.

yes, please!

karaweik palace cultural show

one evening, we attended a pretty spectacular government-sponsored cultural show at the karaweik palace. as it was explained to us, the event was meant to showcase burma's ethnic/regional diversity as reflected through the arts. best to let the photos speak for themselves!

excuse me, but where are the diploCATS in all of this?

lest we forget, meesie + vonnie (team mevon) were faithfully guarding home + hearth during all these rangoon funtimes . . .

there was a brief scare when it sounded like one had taken ill, but it proved to be a false alarm!

diplocats remain at our service!

public access workshop

this was the wonderful group of librarians from rangoon, hanoi, bangkok, phnom penh, ho chi minh city (and washington!) who gathered for a three day workshop on public access issues for our embassy libraries (information resource centers).

animated presenters!

colorful lunches!

two attempts at international video conferencing (low bandwidth a stumbling block!)

super fun design session!

the baldwin library also hosted a public event while we were there - a celebration of the third anniversary of the library's book club.

the american center's count basie auditorium was filled to capacity. the first part of the program featured eight burmese book club members (mostly young people) giving ten-minute speeches in english on their favorite books. a panel of esteemed burmese writers and american teachers judged their orations. the second part featured awards given for original short story, poetry, and essay writing in english.

14-year old winner of speaking contest. favorite book: the diary of anne frank

as a new information resource officer, having the chance to help lead this public access workshop gave me such an inspiring and tangible opportunity to learn more about libraries in southeast asia and some of the particular issues these bright, resourceful, capable staff members are so expertly tackling. i hope, hope, hope! that someday i will have the chance to serve in this region and again work with this wonderful crew! the best!

preparations

monday + tuesday, we spent lots of time doing preps for our big event, "managing public ircs for best results: workshop for mainland south east asia"


this meant more opportunities to appreciate the amazing baldwin library/american center!

they still love the topiaries

the american center boasts over 20 student clubs + was in the midst of a heavily contested student council election while we were in residence

writing and reading are a huge part of the culture, at least among those who frequent the american center.

for part of the workshop, we decided to use legos to help the librarians visualize their public access spaces


it took some time to work that all out!


we also visited our american corner at the library of the myanmar institute of theology. american corners are partnerships between the u.s. embassy in a given country and a local host institution (usually a public or university library). we provide materials in english, access to online databases, and often support for computer hardware/software, physical facilities, etc. the host institution provides the staff and serves as a welcoming programming venue for public diplomacy programs.

meeting with m.i.t. librarians + faculty

+ then back, back, back in the (all too familiar) cargo van for a ride back to the hotel

to meet all of the workshop participants for a welcome dinner!

(korean! delicious!)

sunday sights

on sunday, my pal wendy + i were able to do some adventuring!

kandawgyi lake with shwedagon pagoda in the distance

commerce + karaweik palace

we couldn't visit karaweik palace that day because of a huge wedding

although we could've stayed for the valentine's concert at kandawgyi lake

sponsored by the (admittedly, premium quality) myanmar beer company

opted instead for the national museum. guard dog wouldn't let us take photos.

a photo i found out later i never should have taken

and then, a little relaxation + gringo food at the (colonial) governor's residence

culminating with a visit to the bogyoke aung san (scott) market

the evening took a turn, after i accidentally strayed from blood type-appropriate cuisine + became (temporarily) quite ill . . .