I met Aye Aye(pronounced as E-E) , 34 year old Bamar at Ananda Temple, which is one of my favorite temples in Bagan. She is a vendor outside the temple where the lacquer vendor was as well. She was trying to talk me to buy the pants that she was selling. I said no cause we have those in the Philippines. She didn’t stop taking to me and started asking about my country.
When I was about to leave she told me to “wait for a moment” that she would like to tour me around the temples “no need to pay.”
And I was “sure, why not!”
Took her awhile to pack all her stuff then we went for a ride to see the temples and pagodas including the cave temple with the old lady, and the neck lady (see featured image)
As we part ways because I was about to meet Tu-Tu for sunset, she invited me to come to their house for dinner and meet her son and husband who is a horse cart driver.
It was a wonderful opportunity for me to get in touch with the locals. So I did not hesitate to say yes. She came to pick me up in my hostel and drove to their house.
The house is located somewhat far off New Bagan. In a more secluded area, no neighbors, no appliances and no electricity.
As you enter the house that looks more like a native hut. You would only see a “papag” (wooden bed fixed at the corners of the house and a “banig” (handwoven mat) over it to keep the “papag” warm.
Aye-Aye was not able to prepare food and kept on saying “im sorry” but gave some chips, fruits and nuts instead and a good cold milk tea. Which was good!
I played with Aye-Aye’s son who was shy at first until i taught him how to a”up here”
Meet Aye-Aye’s small family
As she drove me back to my hostel she was telling me how poor they are and that it is sad that they don’t have any neighbors and own nothing. i shared my experience how earlier this year I had literally close to nothing and encouraged her that she just had to kee positive and work hard for a better life. She wss touched with what I said and grabbed my hand for a tighter hug.
I asked her and her family if they could have lunch with me the next day and that I would treat them in a nice restaurant. We had major misunderstanding because when I met her the next day, she said she have food ready for me at their house. So I just had another meal with them instead.
After lunch Aye-Aye and I went for another tour around the big temples. Showed her which ones I wanted to come see. The day turned out pretty well, as we visited all the major temples and Pagodas. Even the small villages. I would always offer to pay for her gas and her food but she would always say
“no no, you are my friend.”
I did pay for her gas eitherways because that lady just took a day off just to show we around.
You could feel how genuine her care is cause she would always check up on to me to be careful at my driving cause we took two separate bikes.
“Slowly,slowly, slowly”
“Careful my friend”
“Are you ok my friend?”
Is what she would always say and ask
Wanting to do one last sunrise in Bagan before I take a bus to Mandalay, she offered to take me there. The next morning she picked me up, she said has something for me… A gift to remember her. One pair of purple pants that she was selling and some pastries.
So sweet that she even remembered I said I like color purple when I picked the purple E-bike the day before.
On the way to Hsutaungpyi Temple for the sunrise. She was telling me how nice it was to meet me, we shared Viber numbers cause I sent her the photos I took from dinner and was showing my pictures to her family.
“you are going to leave my friend…”
She just started crying..
“Remember me okay?”
She held my hand and I tell her that It was ok and maybe I’ll come back one day and we should keep contact on facebook and viber.
I will remember you always…
She took me to the best place to watch sunrise where balloons actually fly over the temple, so you have left and right view as you watch them.
Back to the hotel before Departing for Mandalay, I took Aye-Aye to my room and gave her little souvenirs too. I Didn’t know what to give at first but I gave her one of the scarves I brought back home and some cash because I know they needed it. When She saw my powerbank charging. She said she wanted to buy one because her phone is always dead.
Then came to my mind, (yeah of course they don’t have electricity!)
So I offered to give her my powerbank because she needed it more than i do. Probably would cost her a lot of money to buy considering the amount of money she was making. I hope that powerbank will serve her well!
What a good experience to tell and a good reationship to keep. I might have said earlier that this was a once in a lifetime trip considering I paid 320 usd for a hot air balloon ride. The place is truly magical, but by befriending the locals, Tu-Tu and Aye-Aye will probably make me come back….
To Those who are reading this blog, I would like to help my friend with their livelihood.
If you need a horse cart tour which I remember well they charge 20usd for a wholeday tour.
You may contact Aye-Aye’s husband:
Ko Than Zaw in New Bagan
Horse Cart no. 142
09 256016714
And to hire an english speaking tour guide you may contact Aye-Aye’s sister.
Cho Cho Thinn
09259225805
chit36973@gmail.com
If you would like to meet the beautifully hearted local Aye-Aye, or help her or buy some of the clothes she’s selling.
ThanThanAye
09258273551
Just give me one favor…
Tell her I will always remember her.
lifefulpatty 