Tired, hungry, knackered and thirsty are just some of the adjectives that could describe our arrival. Best of all though was relief, although we still had to find our hotel. Before that we had another challenge; getting out of the station.
I doubt I have ever seen a more concentrated mass of bodies on the platform as the train pulled in, with hundreds standing to get on, many more hundreds sleeping on the platform and double that in stalls all trying to sell you something. Queuing is still a novelty here and so the crush to get off and exit the platform became almost a rugby match. No one yielded an inch even though it was obvious a bottle neck was forming and in the end we just followed the flow of bodies and somehow ended up outside the station where our pals the taxi drivers were vying for our attention. Sorry boys, tonight we walk, so go and find someone else to con.
The city is arranged in a grid pattern and so navigating our way to the hotel was simple. Situated on 26th Street and in between 82nd and 83rd, we walked for about fifteen minutes, taking in all the sights along the way. The first cold drink we bought from a local shop didn't touch the sides and really picked us up.
As did finding the hotel, the Mandalay City Hotel (e-mail: offmdycity@myanmar.com.mm- we cannot even access their own website to show you, but do a search for "mandalay city hotel" and you should find something) is bloody marvellous. We've taken photies and stuff and one day hope to post them up. In the meantime, we have great beds, super air con, TV, bath/shower and plenty of hot water.
Tomorrow we check out the swimming pool and we may even make breakfast in time. It's early finish as they close at 09:00.
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