East looks West and West looks East

When she was four years old, her father U Aye Pe, enrolled her to a kindergarten on the 50^th Street, by the name of Rainbow First School. On account of her fairness, and sweetness, they named her ‘Panthee’ (meaning apple). The enrollment full name was Panthee Aye Pe. She was neither big nor small, for her age, except maybe a wee bit thin, due to excessive playing.  Her kindergarten hours were from seven to eleven in the mornings, during weekdays only. The first day, she cried the whole time, her kindergarten teachers together with her parents got worried. It might have been due to change of environment, however, from the second day onwards, she was calm, and seems to enjoy the camaraderie and the atmosphere there. The kindergarten taught the national anthem, Myanmar and English rimes, and lots of game.   At home, she would sing and recite the rimes, which the family enjoys.

Panthee Aye Pe is the youngest, of the four siblings. The eldest being, her brother and followed by two older sisters. Her father works for Trade Corporation 1, main commodity being rice followed by a variety of pulses. Her father is an accountant, and due to the nature of his work, there is no other outside income, except of the monthly bag of free rice quota and a half viss (1 viss=3.5 lbs) of sunflower oil from his office. His income is not enough for the household, and mother had to tuition a group of young pupils in the subject of English, as she graduated with a Master of Art (M.A.) in that subject, from the university of Yangon. The income from the eight pupils, were more than her father’s monthly salary. However, the family did manage to survive on their incomes. Nothing goes to waist in the household. Breakfast is always the same, half a naan or a piece of bread with coffee, prepared with infant milk powder and sugar for the children. Mother and father have a naan each, or a slice of bread with their coffee. Lunch (tiffin) box for father, brother and sisters is always fried mixed vegetables, type depending on season, or stemmed pulses with fresh onions and a dab of oil.  Panthee and her mother would eat the same at home, and any left over’s would be mellowed with the evening curry. Dinners are rationed equally, a small piece of meat or prawn for all, or a slice of fish, if in season. Rice portions are free, up to your heart content. Any rice leftovers, would result in fried rice with pulses the next morning. Good for the body, I presume.

Panthee’s school uniforms and textbooks are a not a problem, as they always will be a hand down from the sisters. The elder sisters school htameins, are also handed downs. She would ask her mother to sew her a dress, from the handed down htameins, and her reason being no need for fear of coming loose. Their mother would stitch with a second hand China made sewing machine, powered by muscles of the legs. Everything at their apartment must have a function, otherwise not worth buying or to be kept, even if free. Writing must be in pencil where possible, so that can be erased and rewrite again. Money was tight, very tight. If illness, it usually means traditional Myanmar medicines, as cheaper. Cinemas, stage shows or fun fairs were never part of their vocabulary.

After a few months at the kindergarten, Panthee started to address herself as Apple at home, they thought she must have learnt it from A for Apple, B for ball, C for cat, D for dog etc. etc. and did not think of it much. Their family is Myanmar Buddhist, and all have Myanmar names. When it was time to enroll in a state’s school, she pleaded to register her as Apple Aye Pe. She being the youngest, their parents let her have her way.

Manfred Muller grandfather was Klus Muller, a sergeant under General Erwin Rommel’s command, served as a 7^th panzer division tank commander, in North Africa and in Normandy, France, where he died in action. Their present apartment has been in the family, and was handed down through generations. Munich escaped allied carpet bombings in WWll, maybe, due theirs was not a buildup industrial area. As a result, Manfred Muller, eldest of the two sons of Herr Jan and Frou Muller, now lives in Neuhasen-Nymphenburg area of Munich 80634, Gudrunstrasse 14, in one of the low-rise apartment blocks. The second floor apartment, have two bedrooms and the nearest U Subway Station is Rotkreuzplatz, which is a few minutes walk from their apartment. His father, Jan Muller, works for the Munich City Council, situated at the northern part of Marieplatz district. He and his brother, Günter, is under two years apart, shares a room together. Both of them were bright lads, while both attended Gymnasium, their parents decided to have a family holiday in Beijing, China. They are to join a tour group, as it was including hotel and coach transport, including airport transfers. For father, it was a week off from work, and 5 days in Beijing. Manfred did all the research at his local library, Stadbibliothek im Neuhauser Trafo in Nympherburger Strasse.  Manfred kept the family in picture of Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Badaling Great Wall, Underground Palace of Ming Tomb, Summer Palace etc. etc., in advance. This was when he realized, his love for the history and cultures of the Orient. More than anyone, he was most excited of the family.

During that month in August, their Beijing trip in China was realized. Their family just followed the tour group, however, should the tour guide misses a major fact, Manfred would add his two cents worth. He does not know what the guide thought, but he felt knowledgeable and important. That excited him tremendously.  After the tour guide explained something, their group would all look towards him, he really felt superior. He knew from that moment on, that the Orient was his love and life. Manfred observed for quite sometime that, sauerkraut, mixed potato salad, boiled cabbages, frankfurter sausages, nor any German cuisine opened up his taste buds. His mother at times jokingly pointed out that, the hospital gave her the wrong baby after his birth. He loved Chinese food, fried rice or dumplings, plus any curries with strong spices, the stronger the better.

Both Manfred and Günter, breezed through school. After attaining their Abitur and Mittlere Reife, both were permitted to enter Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM), one of Europe tops university. Manfred read Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, while Gunter followed a year later, to read Mechanical Engineering, also at TUM.

Apple Aye Pe, encountered no trouble through school, similar to her sisters. The eldest sister secured a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Physics, however, decided to stay beside mother, at home. The next sister passed her Bachelor of Commerce (Bcom) degree, and opted to follow her friends to the United Kingdom, to seek employment. The last she heard, that sister worked at Forest Hill Road, London SE22, in Dulwich area, for Mackenzie, Holt & Boroughs, a publishing outfit, as an accountant, while finding a comfortable lodging at no.6 Overhill Road, in a semi-detached house, near her work. The nearest underground station is Honor Oak Park. Her eldest brother joined the Defense Services Academy (DSA), as he wanted to be an officer in the army. He likes fighting and touring around Myanmar.

Apple matriculated with three distinctions, in History, Mathematics and English. She decided to read English, view this was a subject she was most comfortable in. While studying for her Bachelor of Arts degree, she tutored ten high school pupils in English, like her mother, in the evenings. During weekends, she worked fulltime for City Mart supermarket. Her main goal, is to save enough, for a trip to London, and pay a visit to her sister, May Oo, in Dulwich. Money was her main motivation, by hook or crook, she wanted to have enough, as soon, and as much as possible. Status in life, was not her criteria. Apple also like watching Korea sit-coms on the national television, it is not because of actors or their acting, or the plot or story. She watches it, to see the styles of clothes the actresses wear. She loves anything that is western. Clothes, food, culture, technology, cars, houses and even their weather, she likes. European men, are an understatement, this is her secret number one preference, and would not divulge this to anyone.  She likes tall, broad shoulder, manly, brown hair and must be European men and not from Japan or China. She would like to be disappeared in their arms. In her final year, she dyed her hair to brunette with a slight streak of pink. She likes it and does not care what others may think. Her parents kicked a fuss and said that the young one has a mind of her own. That was that.

She passed her B.A. English with Honors and was invited to join the university English Department as a tutor, which was flatly declined. Her aim is to tour the land of Wordsworth, Keats, Sir Arthur Canon Doyle, Baron, Shakespeare, Madame Tussauds and the famed British Museum.  She worked another year, full time as a sales girl, at La Pye Wun shopping complex, on the Sule Pagpda Road. Now that her funds were sufficient, she would apply for a passport and a British Visa.

Manfred Muller lived all his life at Munich. It is the third largest city in Germany with a population about 1.5 million inhabitants. To his mind, Munich is one of the cleanest, orderly, modern in her amenities, and safest city in Europe. Better than London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Hamburg or Paris. He would rather live in Munich than anywhere else in Europe. In his final year at TUM, BMW did offer him a position in their head office, here in Munich. He turned it down, of his own reasons, however, BMW was perplexed by his decision. They offered him more money, but he still rejected. After securing his first degree, BSc Engineering with a few months of research, he left TUM. Thence, he worked weekdays full time, and Saturday, half day, at Karstadt department store, on Leopold Stresses, near Munchner Freiheit Subway Station. In the evenings, he would work at Indian and Chinese restaurants in the town center, depending on their requirements. One thing is for sure, he was not allowed to wait on tables, as he might give the wrong impression to the customers. He identified some connections with them and he would usually do their books, help out in the kitchens, or deliver hot meals on wheels, within ten kilometers of the restaurants. He gave his mother about fifteen percent of his incomes, thus, she does not comment much on his jobs. The simple reason was that, he could not have found a warm comfortable place, well looked after and a safe place than his own home. He just wanted to earn as much as possible, within a shortest period and make his way back to the Orient.

Manfred already spent three leisurely months in Bali, and also trekked Marco Polo’s silk road in China. He trekked in Yarkant County, 1198 meters above sea level, in Xinjiang Uyghur, southern rim of the Taklimakan Desert in the Tarim Basin and in Khotan, southwestern Xinjiang. He was also in the Kunlun mountain ranges. Total time spent about six months, in villages, and hamlets, sleeping rough and eating by the roadsides. India wise, he’s been to Varanasi, where he spent about a month, in Uttar Paradesh, witnessed the rituals and burials by the great River Ganges, which is most sacred to Hindus. Being also the longest river in India, also sailed seaward, stopping at small river ports up to Kolkata. Total time spent, nearly three months. Manfred usual sojourn is around one year away from home, which he enjoys immensely. He found learning from different cultures and religions, enriches his understanding on life itself. He just cannot have enough of knowledge, and the more he learns, more that he yearns for. Life in the Orient is so simple, and religions that has stood the test of time. 

Previously, Manfred Muller had done Sri Lanka, residing at Buddhist monasteries in Colombo and Trincomalee. His first handshake with India was at Goa, west coast, a place that the lost European tribe congregates, and Karela and Chennai on the east, where the food was cheap, tasty and good for the body, as vegetarian. The calling from the Orient has always been strong, and his stay in Munich was only to earn enough and find his way back there. His BSc Engineering degree is a fall back, for his later years, when he decides to settle down. It will come, but not for the time being.

Günter is at home earning a good salary with BMW, and he feels protected for his parents. Unlike him, Günter is anchored to Munich. Until he finds a wife, things should be status quo. Father and mother understand him, but will be more appreciative, should he settle down. After all, he’s the eldest boy.

Apple took a flight to London Heathrow in September, and her sister, May Oo, met her at the airport. From Heathrow, they took an underground tube train to Honor Oak Park. The ride was around one and half hours, this being the most economical mode. The walk from the tube station took only a few minutes, however, with the luggage on wheels, it was tiring for her. At no.6 Overhill Road, May Oo room seemed quite comfortable with a single bed, which they will be sharing. From the onset, Apple told May Oo that, there is no need to show her around, and she would be happy to do it n her own. The first day, Apple rested due to jet lag. Next day onwards, with A to Z,  and  tube maps, she commenced her tour. She liked everything she saw, from the seat of trains to the escalators. She saw Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards, she went to Madame Tussauds wax works, the British Museum, Convent Gardens, Fleet Street, Algate East shopping area, Greenwich time museum, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Harrods Department Store, Oxford Street, Selfridges, etc. etc. Within one week, sights of London were done. Next, she ventured to Winsor Castle, Hampton Court, Oxford, Cambridge and Maidenheads. This was completed in another week. Then, she left for Edinburgh to meet old school friends. She toured Glasgow, Lake District and Aberdeen. She spent two weeks there. On return to London, she traveled on to Wales and visited Bristol. She also went to the Cornish coast, saw Lands End and hiked on the Exeter moors. Within six weeks, she was all done. For two weeks she roamed around Surrey and Dulwich areas.

After spending two months in Britain, eating McDonalds, Pizzas, sandwiches, steak and kidney puddings, Cornish pastries, fish and chips and pork pies, she decided to leave for home. Next time, she would tour the Continent. She was pleased how this trip turned out. After saying her goodbyes to May Oo, Apple boarded a plane bound for Frankfurt. There, she boarded a Thai Airways Boeing 747 bound for Bangkok. Her seat was 38G, aisle seat, in the tourist class. On the same plane, in seat 38H sat Manfred Muller from Munich bound for Bangkok also. Manfred booked a flight on Lufthansa, however, as star alliance members, Thai and Lufthansa operated the same plane. Manfred bought Lufthansa ticket due to a special promotion discount on fares.

When Apple sat beside him, he did wonder what nationality she is. She is fairer than an Indonesian, but not as fair as a Chinese or Japanese. He did not ask her the question and continued to listen Buddhist chanting on his ipad with his eyes closed. This was a long flight, about 23 hours before Bangkok. There, he needs to change to Thai Airways to Gaya, India. After about an hour, due to the call of nature, he had to request Apple to make way for his six foot two structure.  Apple could make out a faint sound of Buddhist chanting, escaping from his headphones.

When he got back from toilet, she asked, "Are you a Buddhist?"

 To which he replied, "I’m a born Christian, but a free thinker now, leaning towards Buddhism."

She smiled and said, "I’m a born Buddhist, and a leaning towards to be a free thinker too."

They both smiled, and he introduced himself, "My name is Manfred Muller, German by nationality, from Munich."

She countered, "My name is Apple Aye Pe, Myanmar, from Yangon."

Manfred extended out his hand and continued, "I’m on my way to Gaya, for pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, to pay homage to Lord Buddha, and to visit where he attained enlightenment, and also witness his place of his death. I aim to stay with Monks from Sri Lanka, and try meditation."

Apple shook his hand and replied, "I am on my way back from London, change plane at Bangkok for Yangon, which is my home."

They struck a conversation, and Apple thought he seems a nice man, but his unkept beard did not do justice to his boyish face. Seems a bit young, to be that deep, in the path to seek truth. Does he not work? or, just another drop out from society. While they enjoyed their airline lunch, he opened up and broadly painted his life story and his need to seek absolute truth. She just rode the waves and told him that she just returned from a trip to Britain, back to her hometown, Yangon. He seemed quite well educated and handsome, except for the unkept beard. Manfred ate all that was served, not that he enjoys it, he just needed his belly to be always full, as he do not want to be hungry at the wrong place and time. He found Apple to be quite bright, adventurous, young, slim with smallish boobs, and reasonably good looking at about five foot seven, tall for a Asian girl.  His mother is nearly six feet, with boobs so large, that it can do damage, just by swinging it. His mother is also large at the waste, and wondered if father was having it off, on the side. Quickly he decided to wipe the bad thoughts from his mind, as this was not his business, and as far as he is concerned, he’s a good father to him and Günter, and a good husband to this mother.

Apple seems a good companion, a serious listener with reasonable logical comments. Only her brunette hair with a small pink streak seems odd, and out of place for a girl from Myanmar. Still, he’s not much into fashion, and none of his business. He must focus on his impending trip to Bodh Gaya.

To Apple, Manfred is a type of man, who knows what he wanted, and would get it, any, which way. She likes a man with determination. The thought of earning money for her next trip to the Continent, seems a tall order. She roughly estimated, it would take her about two years to save. At least, her parents are financially stable, from money May Oo sends, plus her small contribution and father’s salary. She must continue to tuition the high school pupils, for want of extra security for the family. The lesson from this trip was that, her future lies in Europe, where she would be more comfortable, and suits her temperament, that is out of place in Yangon.

With thoughts of their own, the aircraft made a landing at Dong Muang Bangkok Airport. They both have to change aircraft, she for Yangon and Manfred to Gaya.

Manfred with his backpack, extended his hand to hers and said, "Should I come over to Yangon after my Bodh Gaya trip, to learn Myanmar meditation method at Maharsi Yeiktha, may I see you?"

She smiled and replied, "I’ll like that, do give me a call and I will show you Yangon and also introduce you at Maharsi Yeiktha."

She wrote her mobile phone number on a tissue, and passed it to Manfred.

She walked bristly in the terminal, to buy a silk scarf for mother, a nice long sleve cotton shirt for father, and an Elizabeth Arden Eau de Toilette, for her eldest sister, as it was cheaper than cologne. She must also make good timing for her Thai Airways flight onto Yangon.