Time to make a separate blog.

Tyler Davis
Tue, 23 Mar 2021 23:13:29 +0700

Introduction

While my main website works fine as a general blog, I had a feeling ever since Feb 1 that I should be more public (yet careful) with my thoughts about the country. I knew it was too risky to publicly speak my mind while in Burma, but I began to write this blog while I was still in country.

Why I decided to leave

In the beginning, I thought I would be able to stay through all of the events and that life would resume as normal after things settled down, whether under a civilian-elected government or a junta. I knew that with my work, I would try to do my best to serve the people in Burma, no matter the political situation. As things progressed for the worse, however, I began to have doubts. Things got personal after the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) encouraged the closure of banks, thus halting my salary payments indefinitely. While I was never in it for the money, I do need to eat. The internet cuts and the night raids, however, started to make me more and more paranoid. It became difficult for me to concentrate on my work and my family abroad was very concerned for my safety. I figured that I would, at least at this time, serve the country better abroad, rather than locally.

My feelings

I mourned over the thought that I had to leave. I didn't want to desert my friends and others that I grew to love here. I would miss the fellowship, the nightly walks with friends, the inexpensive Indian food, the Sunday bike rides. But many of these joys were already taken from me, now. If not by COVID-19, then by the new regulations. My life in Burma as I knew it was over. So, it was time for me to leave, so I could keep the happy memories with me, before the sad ones overshadowed them.