18. Inspiration

It’s just after lunchtime, and I’m sitting in the lounge of the historic Strand Hotel in Yangon.  I have only a few hours left before I fly to Vietnam and begin yet another adventure in a new country.  Though I’m excited for the trip, the departure from Myanmar is bittersweet.  I’ve quickly grown to like it here, and I’ve enjoyed traveling with the group of photographers on this National Geographic Photography Expedition.  Last night our group had a farewell dinner at The Monsoon Restaurant near this hotel.  We talked about some of our adventures and the people we’ve met in the past ten days, and I mentioned one woman who made an impression on me.  Her name is Ms. Ann, and she is a genteel business woman in the community of Inle Lake.  On Friday, our group had the pleasure of being guests in her Burmese teak restaurant, which was her family’s home for many years.  The space now serves as a lovely environment for groups like ours to sit and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal.  We ate in small groups, seated on cushions around low tables.  As deliciously seasoned vegetable, chicken and fish dishes were served from the hot charcoal stove, Ms. Ann graciously spoke to us and shared some history about herself and her family in the Inle Lake community.  As I enjoyed my meal, I watched and listened as she affectionately referenced some of the black and white photographs of her family that hang on the walls in the dining area.  She pointed to her father, U San Mg, and her mother, Daw Than Sein, who introduced Johnson Motors to Inle Lake in 1957.  She explained how it was their sense of innovation that helped revolutionize business in the community.  She went on to explain how her parents and grandparents built many monasteries and set the precedent for her community involvement.  She became a diversified business owner and an author.  The proceeds from the sales of the three books she has co-written were used to build four schools.  To her, owning two hotels and two restaurants “makes more business to help other people”.  She said if she creates more business, “many people can get money and a job.  This is important to everyone here.”  But her generosity does not stop there.  The heart of Inle Lake is rooted in the water and the fishermen who have been there for many generations.  Ms. Ann supports 40 fishermen’s families by loaning the fishermen nets to help them grow their business.  I photographed some of the fishermen and saw how hard they work to make a living.  I imagine they must be grateful for her support.  I appreciate meeting women like Ms. Ann because I can tell that she has honorable intentions.  She is a business woman, but, more significantly, she is a humanitarian who understands the value of giving back to the community where she was born and raised.  Her strong work ethic is based on the foundation that former generations built.  In my opinion, this respects their memory and also shows respect to future generations that will benefit from her generosity.  I think the world needs more people like Ms. Ann.  She is an inspiration to those who know and work with her, and also to someone like me.  Although we met only briefly, she left an impression on my heart that I will carry with me despite the 8,000 miles that separate us.