Thread: Cribs: Teak Door Edition

I live in Mandalay, a city in a country that as we all know, suffered decades of brutal military rule. Ghosts of this live on in many forms, one of these is the lack of modern accommodation. Believe it or not, mine is classed as upper middle class. Without wanting to bitch and moan too much: the electric is on most of the time, it's really central and the management do their best to keep the creaking elevators working.
Rent? I don't pay, but apparently it is the 800USD a month range. Rents are way over inflated here- allegedly due to the Chinese holding onto land and a general lack of housing stock countrywide due to the ex junta being economic dullards.

Although bleak, it's worth bearing in mind that a sizable majority of the population are rural migrants living in some very difficult situations- we have roof squaters on both sides.




The tarp is someones only shelter and small noodle shop.



Soft furniture isn't very popular here- the school rent from some tight arsed Chinaman who hates the verb 'to spend"


To be fair the kitchen is very usable - which is good as Burmese food is rank.



Again, shite furniture- don't really care as I would never settle here permanently.



Here's where the magic doesn't happen as the guards allegedly note town visitors and tattle tale to school admin. Internal rooms seem to be a thing here in Myanmar- didn't get it at first but they are easy to keep cool and the noise (Mandalay suffers badly from noise pollution) at a bearable level.

I am living in one of the poorest nations on the planet, I live in decent housing that has running water, electric, aircon and windows that keep the dust and insects out. I'm one of the lucky ones, the slums here are eye opening. Never seen poverty like that in Thailand.

Why not just go to China? I wouldn't be able to do it to be honest, but I'm a wuss

Aye, thought for next year are China or Japan. Leaning more towards Japan- more freedom and better food.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

the slums here are eye opening. Never seen poverty like that in Thailand.

Really? Wow! That's sad. Or perhaps you haven't been to those areas? I've seen some hovels, including not tarps but old vinyl advertising placards as the roofs.
Great post Mandaloopy.

That looks just as grim as that shithole in Rangsit.

No wonder you look forward to Pattaya.

That looks pretty bleak, to be honest. It reminds me of some of the places on Terrible real estate agent photographs

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I'll post mine a bit later. Good you have the necessities unlike the nearby squatters..sad.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Here's where the magic doesn't happen as the guards allegedly note town visitors and tattle tale to school admin.

So, celibate and living in that hovel surrounded by poor food options.

Better you than me - hope the people, savings, travel ops and students are worth it.

Last I checked though, the money didn't seem all that great...

Originally Posted by Passing Through

That looks pretty bleak, to be honest. It reminds me of some of the places on Terrible real estate agent photographs

Had a scan of a dozen or more. They've got to be Russian, surely.

Looks pretty fucking grim tbh Mandaloopy! $800 a month...wow.

For that amount in most of SE Asia you'd get a really nice place...fuck, you'd probably get a better standard of gaff in most of Europe for that coin!

Yer mate,

life to short to be wasting it in that shit house.

Pack ya shit up and head out of Dodge.

If ya can hack there then you could go anywhere eh.

Good luck with it.

I don't know why everyone is knocking his choice. He already mentioned before he wasn't overly keen on it. I think he is just sharing where he is and not really expecting a bunch of toss about his living arrangements.

^

I doubt anyone is knocking it because it's his choice where he Teaches.

Most just thinking that there must be a better choice out there.

Originally Posted by terry57

Most just thinking that there must be a better choice out there.

true, but I've heard him say he was going to be there for awhile yet.. so....
I remember before he went to Mandalay that he was debating on moving to Mandalay or somewhere in Europe and decided on Mandalay. Europe may have been more expensive, but definitely a different path.

Originally Posted by bnice2me

I don't know why everyone is knocking his choice. He already mentioned before he wasn't overly keen on it. I think he is just sharing where he is and not really expecting a bunch of toss about his living arrangements.

It's pretty obvious from reading the OP and other threads by Mandaloopy, that he's not exactly in love with life in Burma. He even describes his flat as 'bleak' so if somebody else says 'fucking right, it is' that's not 'a bunch of toss'. It's just agreeing with him.

Originally Posted by Passing Through

It's pretty obvious from reading the OP and other threads by Mandaloopy, that he's not exactly in love with life in Burma. He even describes his flat as 'bleak' so if somebody else says 'fucking right, it is' that's not 'a bunch of toss'. It's just agreeing with him.

Okay, but he has made that choice and I heard him say he would be there awhile yet.
I am afraid to post up my stuff as people are quite judgemental. You realize as he was saying that it is a poor place generally and that he had it well as he had the necessities. Anyway.. it may not be toss, but he had the nerve to show us where he lived, so show a bit of sympathy or respect.

ok whatever....

I'll just shut the fuck up then.

Originally Posted by bnice2me

I'll just shut the fuck up then.

Originally Posted by hick

Better you than me - hope the people, savings, travel ops and students are worth it.

Last I checked though, the money didn't seem all that great...

'

Easy to save over $2500 a month without even trying-once you've seen the sights to really all that much to do. Savings in Thailand was a shade over $500- so it's a big difference.

Students? Yup, nice bunch- a little bit more over indulged than my students in Thailand and this is reflected in behavior. Nothing out of control or unmanageable, though.

Originally Posted by terry57

If ya can hack there then you could go anywhere eh.

Good luck with it.

Thanks! I guess so!

Surviving here is way more mental than it is physical- the lack of luxury I can put up with- the isolation is a little bit harder to deal with. For me, it's about finding the small things to be happy about as they add up. A class that went well, good coffee, local hiking and pool days.

Originally Posted by Simon43

Mandaloopy, you say you miss Thailand and your teaching there. But surely, unless you are working in a real international school, the salaries are much lower in Thailand than Myanmar?

I was working for a decent enough private school- salary was quite a bit more than the average (just over half the salary here) but so were my outgoings on dining out and entertainment. Could have saved way more, but I was an idiot lol.

Can you guys not find better employment & housing in England?

This entire thread makes no sense. No women, shit food, plastic chairs, slums, shit medical care, poverty wages comparative to like anywhere....

And don't tell me soppy horseshit like "the experience" or "to watch children's eyes light up" ffs.

At least it's not the bible belt,sister shagging land of Trumptardia that you inhabit.