The International Steam Pages


Star Struck, Yangon Station 2010

This is the third part of our 2010 Burma Crusade. Click here for the index.


In the good old days, novelty public weighing machines would offer to 'speak your weight'. In an age where obesity rages, that's probably not a very good selling point even in Burma. Instead, how about getting your horoscope as well instead? I assumed it must be British until I saw the 'Chicago' on the base plate.

The only part of the Burmese at the top I could understand was the 50 Kyat price, which was sort of essential as there are no coins in circulation in the country. For normal operation, the appropriate star sign lever would be pressed and 10 cents placed in the slot. Spoil sports had the option to 'Drop Penny for weight only'. Who could resist such an offer? Yuehong needed no great persuasion and I followed.

Yes, the weighing section still worked but you wouldn't ask the lady what it read would you? Allegedly, I scaled 190 pounds which I think might have been my 'fighting weight' twenty or more years ago. As for the horoscopes, Yuehong was told that she was constantly troubled by her relatives (all too true) and her husband would help her through a forthcoming difficult patch (wait and see). I was said to be kind and generous (pardon?) but easily cheated (????). I had some difficult journeys coming (true) but praying to the Buddha would help (anything is worth a try). I won't pass on the lottery advice as I wouldn't want everyone buying the same numbers as us.


Rob and Yuehong Dickinson

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