The U Bein bridge in Myanmar

U Bein Bridge Mandalay

We are two white faces on the U Bein bridge. Márcio and me made it to central Myanmar and into Mandalay. Just south of the city we visit the longest and oldest teak bridge in the world. Soon the setting sun will color us golden, but we stand out like a pair of estranged flamingos until the moment comes. We will never get used to Asian tourists taking selfies with us, nor will the countless sunset spots of Myanmar ever cease to astound.

As an authentic piece of architecture, the U Bein bridge has history. Though time seems to have frozen Myanmar somewhere in the early twentieth century, one can only imagine what is must have looked like back in 1850, when the bridge was built. We see oxes, bamboo huts and wooden boats. Many people taking an evening stroll. These things never changed. What changed, though, is the stream of tourists coming here. And Buddhist monks hanging around looking to practice their English with us. Giving us insightful glances into their pious lives.

The bridge takes you 1,2 kilometer over the water, lightly shaking under the weight it carries. The views over Taungthaman Lake are nothing short from mystical. We see tens of boats ship tourists from East to West for sunset. A light fog mystifies the horizon, seamlessly connecting the violet and orange water. A white temple peeks from behind some trees and the setting sun turns a lone tree into an ominous silhouette: as we see the sun drop the line we know our Myanmar travel is coming to an end.

We leave the country the way chickens are introduced to their fellow hens: in the dark, when everyone is sleeping. No one noticed we slid into this country, where time stood still, and took a look around. And no one will notice that we leave it after the golden sunset. All we will take is a full SD card. All we leave are some wrinkles in the water.

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