The Edinburgh Festival Part II
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
In the hostel at night we had a dance party
About 50 scholars sat in the room to dally
But some said they could not dance but to watch tamely
The Scottish Supervisor said all must dance compulsorily
So, those who could not or wish not to dance had to flee
It included me and we just walked and wandered in the university.
(Residential Campus, Edinburgh)
Early the next morning I rose up and walked in the campus
I met a beautiful lady from
I waited for her and we chatted about the Festival fuss
We struck a good conversation and our friendship lasts
Ko Phone thought I fell in love with her fast
Ma Ce-Ce also said I had a way with woman first class.
(Majestic Edinburgh Castle in the City of Edinburgh making its Landmark)
The next day we were taken to the
It was in the center of the city and a wonderful spectacle
We were told the story of people that had lived there
I was struck by the story of Mary, Queen of Scots and her lover
Also, the story of canon ball falling into the lone well to despair
One of the big guns there was recorded to be taken from
(Big Guns on Edinburgh Castle, One was from Burma)
At night we watched the Edinburgh Festival Tattoo
It was performed with great precision and pomp too
It was to the credit of the military people who drew
Every year they perform this military tattoo to review
Then followed the parade led by bag pipes and kilted Scots
It was followed by dancers, jugglers, jokers and juggernauts.
(Edinburgh Festival Parade led by a Kilted Scot with a Bell at
Princes Street, Edinburgh)
The most memorable was watching the fireworks
It was done at night with the Castle as front mast
Various shapes of fire flowers shot to the sky in mass
They showed different colours blooming beautifully upwards
Then, they broke and bellied down towards the earth
Spectators shouted aloud” Hoorah” and enjoyed very much.
(Scottish Highland Dance)
We also had the pleasure of watching the theatre
The Waverly was presented every hour with grandeur
The cyclists, circus scions and impersonator were also there
We had a fine time in watching programs of different cultures
Of course, the central theme was Scots and Scottish drama
We noticed Ivanhoe of Sir Walter Scot screened in the cinema.
(Poster of Ivanhoe Film Starring Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor)
I remember visiting the Department of Anatomy
It was situated in the medical school of
The medical school was an imposing entity
It invoked the memory of Burke and Hare’s autopsies
They stole the dead bodies after killing the unlucky
It led to the Anatomy Acts to have the unclaimed bodies.
(Body Snatchers Burke and Hare in the Movie of the same Names)
I was shown around the anatomy department by a responsible person
He was cordial, courteous and factual explaining the relevant questions
He told the story of three Munros becoming the professors of anatomy
Many discoveries were made in the department for posterity
Like vein of Munro, Foramen of Munro and other curiosity
Professor Romanes attended medical course as professor faculty!
(Alexander Munro III, Professor of Anatomy at Edinburgh)
During my stay in
Friends invited me to their shelters
They were Than Aung and S Hla Mong
They were studying to pass final FRCS round
They cooked Burmese food and fed me full
They took me to their digs and
(Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh)
On the last night of our stay in
Different contingents had to present their culture
Indian students presented the belly dance extravaganza
Phone Ko and I jested for Ma Ce-Ce Anyein dance
The crowd went wild with our jokes by loud laughs.
( Burmese Anyeint Dance with Two Dancers and Four Jesters)
On the whole I had a profitable programme
I watched the Edinburgh Festival from Grand Stand
I visited the
I was entertained to Burmese food by friends
They shared their experiences to recommend
So that next Burmese scholars can overcome difficulties
They would prepare suitable means to pass the final easily.
(Thanbuddhay Pagoda in Monywa where the Poet was Born)
I wrote about this in my travelogue
It was entitled,”
UNESCO prescribed it for every Burmese ought
To have it as guideline for study abroad
SOAS also prescribed part of it as a Burmese companion
I feel satisfied as one who made his experience a legend!
Dr Maung Maung Nyo
16.12.2008 (original)
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