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300  

S.S. Maha on the Irrawaddy.
Wednesday. Feb. 23 -  
[[strikethrough]] October 26 [[/strikethrough]]

Last night, before retiring, we had a conversation with U Hla Tin, whose speciality is literary research. I asked what books had been translated into Burmese, for example - & to explain to me the popularity of the American mysteries & super comics. Shakespeare. (just the story outlines from Lambs version) Mark Twain, Somerset Maugham, Balzac, Maupassant, Tolstoy, Thomas Hardy. - all free adaptations - not too good - except the few works done by the Burmese Translation Society - which is currently working on the encyclopedia. The mystery volumes became popular because they had been translated into Burmese & have been read by people who do not go to the cinema as well as those  who are acquainted with Amer. films.

During the nights, we had an armed escort (two soldiers, changing duty) in full uniform & armed - our security patrol. Going out to the john in the



301

Feb. 23 Wednesday
[[strikethrough]]  October 27 [[/strikethrough]]

middle of the night, there he was, marching up & down.

Our mosquito net, over our beds were covered with a kind of moth (they live only 24 hrs. & then die) dozens & dozens of them. What luck to have the nets & our extra bed rolls to spread on the narrow cots. Sleeping was quite comfortable - but for the night noises. The coughing in particular.

At 11 AM - Stopped at landing called Pau Kau-Ko which consists of one dusty hill with several small restaurants on top of it. Many barges & boats at rivers edge - The villagers live two miles away from river's edge & carry their wares - the lovely papier maché toys - beautifully painted - decorative native craft - elephants, horses, a tortoise, owls, dolls, puppets - all quite extraordinary. The large pieces sold for 2 chats (40¢) the smaller ones - 20¢ These tiny little horses 8 for 1 chat - 20¢.