Double ichigoiche (a chance meeting)

My mission for the day was to take the circular train line around the city.  Along the way I would stop off at the World War II War Cemetery in the far north of the city.  At the start of the trip I met a Japanese couple, Shinichi and Kumiko, travelling with family from Australia.  I had great fun talking to them and sharing stories about Japan and our travels.  They reminded me a lot of my time in Japan and the good life I had there.  This was the first chance meeting of the day!

Seeing the WWII Cemetery was quite interesting.  Firstly I didn’t realise how many English died in the Far East during the War.  And, I had no idea that the Indians and Burmese had also lost so many of their young men.  A reminder of the futility of war!

On the return leg I met a kind local gentleman who kept pointing out great things for me to photograph.  He was quite ecstatic once we got to the railway market.

Just as we were approaching Yangon a young man whom I guess was Japanese sat near me on the train.  It wasn’t long Akira and I started a conversation and just as quickly a friendship developed.  Second chance meeting of the day!  We ended up having a great dinner and many beers into the night.