Darren,

It sounds like you had a bit of an experience in Burma… I am sorry you feel you were treated so poorly.

I would agree it is a country of 2nd graders due to the political situation. They are so sheltered from the reality of the world outside Burma. And yes, they do ask a great deal of blunt questions.

And actually the Burmese vendors and merchants try to get over on me all the time. The sport of it all is very fun if you’re prepared for the experience. If you did not buy Burmese kyats on the black market, then you were not as informed a traveler as you need to be. Never spend USDs on taxi cab rides in Burma.

The monks begging and demanding money were children acting as monks as a part of their religious training. They were not real Buddhist monks.

As for betel nut spit on the ground and occasionally on your feet or other parts of you, a quick spit back in the direction it came usually solves that issue. But, I admit the betel nut spitting is out of control in Burma.

I sort of see why you state, ‘The government reflects the people and the people reflect the government.’ The political situation in Burma drives everything has occurred, that occurs or will occur in that country. It drove all the experiences you encountered in Burma, what it did not drive was your reaction to them.