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262

Syriam
[[strikethrough]] September 18 [[/strikethrough]] Feb 6     

to Lawin's home & met his wife Daw Aye Kyi of the Burmah Oil Company (Burma Trading) Ltd., Agent, Syriam. She is a charming woman in mid-forties - must have been very pretty. Is mother of 6 children - the eldest of them (Saw) a young man of 19, studying engineering. Their daughter Emma Lyn (12) attends a convent. She is extremely gentle & lovely - & wants to study medicine. We had a nice tea, listening to Lawin's conversation - quick, nervous, intense with a feminine, high pitched laugh (which made me wonder how he could have fathered 6 children) From there we drove to the pier - & finding the boat too crowded to board, we drove to the BOAC Launch, through the lovely country side & saw the rice paddy's. The village was built by the British -


263

Syriam    

[[strikethrough]] September 19 [[/strikethrough]] Feb. 6-

and is a model, well to do town. The English could afford to do this since it is their oil refineries which keep the town busy.

The trip home was delightful - refreshing to feel the water again. At some parts, the river was as wide & vast as the sea. The harbor is impressive with many boats. It made me realize how strategicaly Burma is situated - & why they built the only jet airport in the East.
  
Landing, we took tricycles through the town to the other ferry, where the car was waiting for us. It was truly thoughtful
of Baird to do this & to make it possible for me to have been on the 'sampan', pony cart, ferry & the tricycle all in one day.
  
We drive to Roger Pierard's house & had a pleasant evening. Roger invited me to stay

Transcription Notes:
Baird? Bauce?