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296

 Mandalay
Monday. Feb. 21-   
[[strikethrough]] October 22 [[/strikethrough]]

responsible for this breakdown in values.

This city with its ancient palace moat of brides [[bridges]] surrounding it for half a mile square, with its' extraordinary amount of pagodas - (the 500 pagodas with inscriptions of Buddha's teachings) its Arahanese Buddha almost shapeless with countless layers of gold leaf pressed on it daily by worshippers, its dry, dusty picturesque landscape - what a pity to bring Western influence into it. I saw the workers of the silk factory, returning after a holiday by bus to their compound, all cheerful & smiling. In spite of conditions - unsanitary, dirty, if one will - no one starves here - one's lot is the common one - one's home, however poor, large, enough to house an orphan relative or two or 3. - I have seen this



297 

Mandalay.   
Monday. Feb. 21
[[strikethrough]] October 23 [[/strikethrough]]

in several Burmese homes.

Finally, an adventurous ride on a rocky, dark & dust packed road down to the boat. I was glad to meet & talk with Anil de Silva-Vigier - who is the first Asian woman to specialize in Archeology & Art History. She is associated with the Musée Guimet in Paris & is married to Dr. Vigier, a handsome, young, cancer specialist. Altho born in Ceylon & having lived most of her life in India, she finds the Burmese, the kindest & friendliest people of all. She has lived in Paris the past 6 yrs. because of her husband's work - prefers the freedom of life in Paris - as a woman - to life in Italy - where a woman cannot be alone without a question. To end - she is intelligent, open, free in manner & speech, charming, feminine. Fairly short, full breasted - large Indian eyes.