My mother used to say that rain here pours like a blessing, like a thick veil that parts to reveal the bride's face. But nearly every day, when this rain parted, it revealed a long line of soldiers, like you, like death, marching toward us, and we would scatter with a practiced silence and hide.

~ Mia Kirshner

Mia Kirshner Burma Death Rain Refugees Soldiers War

People wonder why so many writers come to live in Paris. I’ve been living ten years in Paris and the answer seems simple to me: because it’s the best place to pick ideas. Just like Italy, Spain.. or Iran are the best places to pick saffron. If you want to pick opium poppies you go to Burma or South-East Asia. And if you want to pick novel ideas, you go to Paris.

~ Roman Payne

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It is not power that corrupts but fear.

~ Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi Asia Burma Genocide Myanmar Politics

When I was young and had no senseIn far-off MandalayI lost my heart to a Burmese girlAs lovely as the day.Her skin was gold, her hair was jet,her teeth were ivory;I said, For twenty silver pieces,Maiden, sleep with me.She looked at me, so pure, so sad,The loveliest thing alive,And in her lisping, virgin voice,Stood out for twenty-five.

~ George Orwell

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We stepped carefully, so softly, over thorny plants. The dust had turned to mud, splattering our shoes, socks, and legs. By the time we reached the boat, our clothes were clinging to our flesh and stained with the bloody remains of mosquitoes.

~ Mia Kirshner

Mia Kirshner Burma Mosquitoes Mud Rain

An earthquake is such fun when it is over.

~ George Orwell

George Orwell Burma Earthquakes Fun

Bursts of gold on lavender melting into saffron. It's the time of day when the sky looks like it has been spray-painted by a graffiti artist.

~ Mia Kirshner

Mia Kirshner Burma Sky Sunset

My top priority is for people to understand that they have the power to change things themselves.

~ Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi Burma Compassion Wisdom Inspirational Medicine

Well, we have to do something. There are all sorts of rumours about soldiers coming up.These people are full of rumours. They love rumours. Paterson stood watching the bridge. Their whole life is a rumour.

~ H.e. Bates

H.e. Bates Burma India Rumours Wwii