Another Easter in Laiza!

This year, as last, I celebrated Easter in Laiza. I'm here on the China/Burma border to conduct a Maternal and Child Health training. This time, an Aussie physician came with, as did another work colleague to conduct some HIS training, making for quite a party on the border.

As we did last year, we decided to spend Sunday afternoon at the nearby waterfall. In theory, it is about a one hour hike. This year, the group of us that set out (6 in all) included 4 who have never visited, and Seng Aung and myself who have only been once, a year ago. We made the first part of the trail without problem, but when passing through a small village, a local woman showed us another path that she assured us was actually a more direct route to the waterfall. We should have stuck with what we knew... After a very difficult two hour climb to the top of a nearby mountain (only 2 of us made it that far, the rest littered along the trail somewhere below), we finally concluded that it was not the trail to the waterfall... Backtracking, and collecting our party as we descended, we retraced our steps until we could hear the roar of the falls, and then attempted a quite step off road journey from the train down to the river. A few scrapes, bruises, and one broken shoe later, we made it to the riverside, only a little ways downstream from the falls. Though everyone got a work out far exceeding their expectations, I actually thought it turned out to be a great day. Both Ruth and I (the only two who went the entire way up) found the extra hike was enjoyable, particularly as we are stuck in the training center all week. And the extra travels made the swim at the falls that much more enjoyable.

At the falls, we encountered a gang of young Kachin Army soldiers, swimming in their skivvies, and engaging in target practice with nearby banana trees. Fortunately, the cleared out soon after we arrived.

When we got back, we made a special dinner for our local friends: French toast with honey and fried apples, and fruit salad (it was originally intended for brunch, but, well, we got distracted).

All in all, a very good day.

(I will post a few photos as soon as I get to more friendly internet connection).